Nov 05, 2009
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — National President Jan Tittle and scores of Auxiliary members representing at least 37 Departments made the annual trek to celebrate the Statue of Liberty’s birthday October 28.
Originally dedicated in 1886 as a gift from the people of France to the people of America, Lady Liberty has 550,000 friends in the Ladies Auxiliary VFW.
To ensure her many future years as one of our finest national icons, they presented her with the organization’s yearly gift for her preservation. The National President delivered a donation of $3,000 to the monument’s new Superintendent, David Luchsinger, who said it will help create a winter solstice celebration kick-off to educate youth and further community outreach this year.
Inclement weather confined the anniversary ceremony to Ellis Island’s Great Hall, where countless immigrants were processed for many years. Together, Junior Girls and lifelong members, area schoolchildren and tourists of many origins, looked on as Department Presidents paraded American Flags to begin the event. National Assistant Guard Linda Brown escorted the National President and National Sr. Vice-President Cortina Barnes served as Mistress of Ceremonies.
In his address to the crowd, VFW Commander-in-Chief Tommy Tradewell said he was proud that the Ladies Auxiliary is the one organization that devotedly celebrates the Statue’s birthday each year. He also called attention to the fact that 2009 was a special year because the crown of the monument was open for the first time following the September 11 terrorist attacks.
National President Tittle reaffirmed that paying tribute to this symbol of freedom was also intended to “shine a greater light on the ones who paid the price to secure it.”
Those in attendance had the unique opportunity to witness 11 such individuals – who are both veterans and New York police officers – as they were initiated by Tradewell as members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. The men were also congratulated by the National President and given information about the Auxiliary to present to the women in their families.
Event Chairman was Roselee Fabio and Co-Chairman was Eileen Courtney, both of New Jersey. Shirley Houck, South Carolina, served as Flag Bearer, and Helen Bell, South Carolina, served as Banner Bearer. National Soloist Juanita Bohlman, Oklahoma, led the audience in the national anthem, as well as “America the Beautiful.” The Palisade Park Fire Department Band provided the music.