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Franklin VFW Post 3402 is working towards reactivating the Post Auxiliary and is seeking at least 15 qualified individuals to join, explained Post Commander Ernest Carruthers.
Our original auxiliary closed in 2021 as a result of COVID.
In order to bring the auxiliary back, we’ll need to submit an application to the State VFW Auxiliary along with the names of 15 new members and supporting documentation establishing each potential member’s eligibility.
What Does the Auxiliary Do?
The Auxiliary and the Post work together to serve veterans and our community. The nice thing about joining a new auxiliary is it’s a blank slate and the new membership can make it what they want it to be. They’ll elect a slate of approximately 9 officers including a president, a Secretary/treasurer, and 3 trustees.
The Post (Jointly with the Franklin American Legion) currently does the following activities that we envision the Auxiliary helping us with. Of course, it’s up to the Auxiliary whether or not to participate and they’re also free to do their own projects.
1. Holiday dinner on Thanksgiving and Christmas for veterans and widows/widowers of veterans with no local family
2. Holiday gift drive for veterans and their families that receive services from the Franklin Veteran’s Service Office
3. Back to School drive to get backpacks and school supplies for kids of veterans served by the Franklin Veteran’s Service Office
The Post also conducts the following activities that we envision doing with the Auxiliary
1. Volunteer at the VFWMA District 5 Cookout for the patients and staff of the West Roxbury VA Hospital (typically held each June)
2. Volunteer at the VFWMA Annual Christmas Party for the kids at the Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital in Canton (the second Monday in December)
3. Participate in the VFW Day of Service (first Saturday each May)
4. Conduct the VFW Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen Essay Contests for students in grades 6-12 (essays are due each October 31st)
We’re always looking for additional activities to get involved in and welcome suggestions from our post members and future auxiliary members!
Who is Eligible to Join the Auxiliary?
The auxiliary is made up of certain male and female relatives of VFW eligible veterans who are at least 16 years old.
Eligible relatives include:
1. Grandparents
2. Parents
3. Spouse
4. Siblings
5. Children
6. Grandchildren
Steps and adopted count for eligibility. Unfortunately in-laws do not count.
The eligible veteran does not have to be a VFW member (but we’d love it if they were). They don’t need to be living either. As long as you can provide proof they qualified (DD-214 or similar) then you’re good. VFW Eligibility details can be found here https://www.vfw.org/join/eligibility
Eligible service for VFW Membership includes service in WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Gulf War, Afghanistan, Iraq, Inherent Resolve (ISIS), certain submarine duty, receipt of hostile fire/imminent danger pay, or service in Korea for 30 consecutive days or 60 non consecutive days.
How Do I Get More Information?
Please reach out to Franklin VFW Post Commander Ernest Carruthers via e-mail at post3402@vfwma.org or send a Facebook message to the Franklin VFW. You can also leave a message at the post at 508-533-2377.
You can visit the VFW National Auxiliary website here https://vfwauxiliary.org/
You can visit the VFW Massachusetts Auxiliary website here https://vfwauxma.org
You can visit the Franklin VFW website here https://post3402.org/
