The Ladies Auxiliary of the Jack Ray Post 5789, VFW in Lee's Summit, Missouri was originally chartered on June 26, 1946. It's initial 19 members were: Patty Balke, Ehtel Bradish, Mildred Brown, Grace Knight, Roseanne Kreeger, Fern Lawrence, Nell Payne, Helen Pittman, Ida Ray, Winona Ravenscroft, Peggy Rice, Zelma Reddick, Ione Ritter, Helen Spooner, June Terrell, Jessie Terrell, Margie Terrell, Allene Terrell, and Violet Terrell.

Nell Payne was listed as the first Auxiliary President. By 1965 the Ladies Auxiliary had grown to 50 members.

Mary Reeves was the last Auxiliary president before surrendering the charter for a year. After that period of inactivity, the Ladies Auxiliary of the Jack Ray Post 5789, VFW in Lee's Summit, Missouri was authorized once again to organize on April 28, 1977.

Members were Pauline Breedlove, Cheryl Brcon, Shirley Bollinger, Nancy Caudle, Rebecca Chandler, Mary Davis, Alice Dillon, Mary K. Gibson, Alice Jackson, Connie Jaudon, Mary E. Johnson, Loren R. Kreeger, Mary K. Kreeger, Rose Marie Kreeger, Elizabeth Loper, Billie G. Lyon, Marilon Maxwell, Velma Newton, Lorena Numlee, Carol Rellergert, Barbara Rice, Leatha Roadcamp, Phyllis Slifer, Sandra Smith, Shirley Smith, Frances Spurck, Marion Stevens, Phyllis Thompson, Shirley Trundle, Betty Tudor, Virginia Varko, Marie Webber.

The Junior Girls Unit was instituted on December 27, 1978. The first President was Nelda Bunch, Sr. Vice L. Kreeger, Chaplain M. Rellergert, Conductress J. Schulyer, Guard T. Rice and Treasurer/Secretary was C. Mocklin.

 

By 2022 we had grown to 293 members. There have been 39 Presidents who have led the group, with many of those serving more than one term. The Ladies Auxiliary now also is known as the Auxiliary due to the addition of men being part of the group.

Bob McCann, Jerad McCann, Brett Castle, Brendon Castle, Michael Fount, Bill Lewis, Kenneth Stolz, Michael Volkert, and Adam Volkert were among the first male members of Auxiliary Post 5789. Both Bob McCann and Adam Volkert held positions within the group.

Have you ever wondered if and why you should join a VFW Post Auxiliary group? Or have you even wondered what do we do?

We are here for the veterans. There are many opportunities within the Auxiliary to serve. Volunteering your time in hospitals, nursing homes, legislative issues, food drives, angel tree drives, community outreach is just the tip of the iceberg. Each member has a part to play to come together as a whole unit.

One important thing is comradery. We have a bond that runs deep. Every one of us knows how important it is to reach out to another in times of crisis. Those whose husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, uncles and aunts, etc. who served our country during a foreign war or conflict draw us all together. We are here to help each other out.

In 2022 Sandy Nail had the opportunity to interview several members of the Auxiliary group. She interviewed Dorothy Neal, Susan Eveland, Linda Bell, Stephanie Leary, Nelda Clifton and Lisa Volkert.

The first question was why join Post 5789 Auxiliary? For many of these ladies, it is the local post. Someone recruited them to come. Susan came from Post 7900, which merged into 5789. Linda came due to family being in this post and was transplanted from CA. Nelda has grown up with this post, having started out as a Junior Girl and has moved her way through every Auxiliary job at post level up to President.

What is the atmosphere within the Auxiliary like? Each one recognized that the post was very busy at the time they joined. Whether it was marching in parades, volunteering around town, working with other Auxiliary posts in the area, each felt this Auxiliary was a happening place to be a part of.

When asked about their positions in the Auxiliary, it might be easier to inquire which positions they haven't held. Each one of these women have held multiple positions. Stephanie Leary is the current Auxiliary President. Susan, Dorothy, Nelda, and Lisa are all Past Presidents. Linda is a Past Treasurer. Currently, Lisa is Treasurer/Secretary and the rest hold chairmanships within the group.

Many of these ladies and others within the post have gone on to serve at the District level in many capacities. Susan and Nelda also served as State President. The fact that each of these women and others have been active so much is very impressive.

They each shared what they thought was the Auxiliary’s greatest accomplishment. Susan stated watching those in the auxiliary care for veterans that go above and beyond for them. Dorothy said the growing membership. Nelda stated the Auxiliary is out in the community serving. Linda and Stephanie agree that the heart of the people that give 100% to their chairmanships such as cancer research funds or raising monies for the Kansas City Veterans Community Project of tiny homes.

What is the biggest challenge facing this Auxiliary? The overall consensus is an aging membership and memberships of all generations coming together and growing together for the benefit of all veterans. We have an entire generation of veterans with families out there that need to be reached. Young families have many opportunities within the community that are vying for their attention. 

Jack Ray VFW Auxiliary Post 5789 has a rich history. It is exciting to look back to see where it has come from, but it is just as exciting to see where it will be going.