Educating Summer Camp Kids on Americanism

Since 1914 the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary has united Americans from all walks of life with a common purpose to improve the lives of veterans, for service members, their families, and our communities.

The Naples area VFW Post 7721 was organized on 16 December 1971 and chartered by the VFW National Headquarters on 25 November 1976. The Post 7721 Ladies Auxiliary was chartered on the same day.  The National Department realized the importance of uniting the Men’s and Women’s Auxiliary therefore the Auxiliaries were combined, and the new charter issued on 21 August 2015. Programs offered bring needed services, information, and assistance to different groups thru both national and local programs.

A few of the programs offered:  Veterans & Family Support, Americanism – conduct patriotic programs with thousands for students and the community, Buddy Poppy Programs, VFW National Home for Children, Hospital Support – visits with hospitalized Veterans, Legislative – assist to pass or block legislation that impacts the veterans and their families, Scholarships for children – offering hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships for our nation’s youth, Youth Activities.

Recently VFW Post #7721 and Auxiliary presented a special program on Americanism to the summer camp at the Fran Cohen Youth Center, located on the Salvation Army Campus. Over 60 kids and their teachers were part of the presentation of the Colors, Folding of the Flag, meaning of the thirteen folds, a history lesson about WWII.

All the kids then went into smaller groups where Veterans taught them learn how to fold the flag correctly.

Auxiliary members Alice Kuskin, Betty Bailey, Theresa Mook, Mary Ellen Cash and Daryll Davis (member of Post Ritual Team) along and Post Ritual Team members: Jim Burch, Dick Miller, J B Holmes, Jack Fulmer, Harvey Sturn, Gary Asztalos, Jordon Tompkins, Erle Taube were part of the presentation.

It was a wonderful day of education, smiles and dedication by all who were part of this special program. Each child was given a flag, pledge of allegiance bookmark and information on respecting the flag to take home. The VFW has been asked to do this again sometime later this year for children attending after school programs.

Membership in the VFW Post #7721 is open to all Veterans of Foreign Wars, the VFW Auxiliary membership open to Veterans who served stateside and all family members who served in active duty, for membership contact Betty A Bailey, bann652@aol. Com for more information.