Glennallen, AK -- On Saturday, November 15, local vets and the Glennallen community were invited to a Veterans Day lunch hosted by the local Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Auxiliary. The lunch included chili, stew, cornbread, fresh salad, and baked goods for dessert and served a total of 36 guests.
The VFW Auxiliary is composed of volunteers whose direct family members have served in the US military during a foreign war. According to its national website, VFW Auxiliary members desire “to improve the lives of veterans, service members, their families and our communities.”
Glenna DuFresne joined the Auxiliary as her son was in the Navy during the first Gulf War and served in Kuwait. He was also posted overseas during the Bosnia Crisis and later in Afghanistan.
DuFresne said that local Auxiliary volunteers drive vets to medical appointments, help them secure firewood, and provide camaraderie with events like the Veterans Day lunch, where vets from a large range of ages and military experience could be overheard joking about the differences between the various branches.
Nadine VanSleet, who joined the Army right after high school and served eight years of active duty, mentioned that some veterans have difficulties transitioning to life after the military, as their resumes might make them overqualified for certain positions or may not translate well to civilian jobs.
Dawn Saxon-Reed, one of the newest members of the local Auxiliary, joined last month after moving back to the area. Both her grandfathers were posted overseas during World War II. She said she appreciated how the Auxiliary is made up of “people who care about vets” and she was “absolutely interested in getting involved.”
The Veterans Day lunch was held at the American Legion Hall and included door prizes donated by IGA, Wengers, Glennallen Hardware & Lumber, Subway, and other local businesses.
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