Auxiliaries soldier on, but struggle for members
By Nora Cardec Journal correspondent

No two auxiliaries are the same, yet they work for the same cause: supporting military forces, both veterans and active troops.

That is the case of the American Legion Auxiliaries and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Ladies Auxiliaries.

Both organizations are composed of women - wives, daughters, granddaughters, sisters, mothers - all related to a war veteran. Sometimes members are veterans themselves.

They are all committed to supporting servicemen and women through community programs.

"It's not quite the same," said Betty Mae Tenney, president of the Townsend VFW Ladies Auxiliaries, when talking of the two organizations. "But many of the ladies belong to both." The difference between the two is based mostly on the wars and the periods served.

According to Tenney, the VFW goes back as far as the Spanish- American War. The VFW began right after the Spanish-American War in 1898.

Eligibility to the VFW is based on serving in an actual war zone, Tenney explained.

The American Legion, on the other hand, is open to all veterans from those who fought during

World War I to those who have participated in the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts.

The American Legion and its counterpart the American Legion Auxiliary (not to be confused with ladies auxiliaries) were established in 1919 right after WWI.

Veteran spouses or other relatives are eligible to participate in the American Legion Auxiliaries, including young women (ages 18 and under) who are considered junior members.

Other similarities between the two organizations abound. Both are engaged in programs for veterans, children and the community. Both strive to promote education and patriotism. And both raise funds to support veterans.

Two issues common to the organizations are that membership is comprised of older women (ages range from late 40s to early 90s) and both encounter difficulties with attracting new members.

"It's really tough to get women involved nowadays in any particular organization," said Pat Feeley, president of the Westminster American Legion Auxiliaries.

Feeley said the demands of today's women - full time employment, taking care of family, juggling the many events their children are involved - leave little to no time available to participate in service organizations.

"We do a lot with what we have," said Feeley.

Westminster American Legion Auxiliaries have 14 active members, 10 who are between 80 and 90 years old.

"We'd love to have more women join," said Carol Chenevert, treasurer of the American Legion Auxiliaries in Ashburnham. "The more women we have, the more we can do."

Chenevert, who has a history of involvement with the auxiliaries for close to 60 years, said it is important to maintain the organization.

"We've always been supportive of our troops and servicemen and women," she said.

The Ashburnham American Legion Auxiliaries has 90 members and supporters, according to Chenevert. Among the members, the oldest is 88 years old.

"We would like to see younger women join," Chenevert said. "Our members are mostly older people and illness and death have taken many of them. We just lost four this year."

The American Legion Auxiliaries remain active through numerous activities and programs, although at different levels depending on the town. They participate with the Girls State program, which helps young women understand the structure and operation of the U.S.A. government; provide scholarships to young students; hold educational programs in connection with schools, and volunteer at blood banks, the senior center and the historical society.

Of course, the main objective of the auxiliaries is to support veterans and this they do throughout the year through civic engagements such as dinners, funerals, marches, special ceremonies and visits to veterans at centers and hospitals.

Members donate money to disabled veterans through the annual poppies program, send Christmas cards to servicemen and women, send care packages to active troops, and even knit footwear for soldiers. Some also provide support to prisoners of war and families of soldiers missing in action.

In Westminster, the auxiliaries plant a perennial on each grave of deceased members. Some attend the annual Christmas workshop, which collects gifts for veterans and their families. The gifts are brought to a veterans hospital for soldiers and their families.

The Townsend VFW remains active with similar commitments including working at veteran centers, holding patriotic programs for the community and schools, organizing fundraisers, and promoting education through scholarships and contests such as the "Voice of Democracy" annual competition.

Tenney, who has held the president's office close to 20 years, although not consecutively, said the Townsend VFW Ladies Auxiliaries, with 85 active members, is highly visible and active in town.

She became involved in 1979 through her father, a WWII veteran.

Whether through the VFW Ladies Auxiliaries or the American Legion Auxiliaries, women continue to make a difference for veterans of all wars through their participation.

Chenevert, 78, has held every position at the Ashburnham American Legion Auxiliaries since she joined 59 years ago. At the time, she served alongside her husband, who was a Navy veteran.

She has been active on a state level, as past district director for the Worcester County. She currently holds the chairman position.

Chenevert has also led the Girls State orientations for the whole county for many years.

"It does make you feel good inside when you serve others," she said.

Linda Lehman, sergeant of arms for the Ashburnham American Legion Auxiliaries, said she became involved through her mother, who was an auxiliary member.

Lehman, whose father received the Purple Heart, has been a member for 44 years.

"I've learned respect for veterans," she said.

Maggie Roy, president of the Ashburnham group, became involved seven years ago through a friend.

Roy has a daughter serving in the Navy.

"I never knew anything about the American Legion Auxiliaries," Roy said. "I'm glad I became involved because it makes me feel so peaceful inside knowing people care."

Roy's unit has an "Adopt a Soldier" program to help with immediate needs and to support the soldier's family. She said her daughter's service to the country is her motivation to serve in the Auxiliaries.

"If you have a daughter or son in the service, you find the time to serve," she said.