VFW MO District 12

                     Missouri VFW sponsors Halloween Party at the VFW National Home

 

George Weber, Adjutant of Post 2177 was among the two busloads of VFW members and Ladies Auxiliary activists making the trip to the National Home in Eaton Rapids, Michigan to take part in the annual meeting of the Life Members of life members of the VFW National Home for Children held Saturday morning October 24, followed by a tour of the village including a visit to the Missouri cottage.  Members from all across Missouri made the trip.

The afternoon was spent preparing for and sponsoring the Halloween Party for nearly 100 children of the village as most of the Missouri group also being dressed in various costumes to greet and entertain the children who were judged in age groups from pre school through High School, for their costumes.  As they entered they became involved in several games and after the judging enjoyed a feast of pizza and juicy burgers.

During the morning meeting, Weber spoke briefly to the annual meeting as he presented a

check from Post 2177 to the Missouri Cottage Fund.  He said that two good things happened

in 1925; he was born as well as the VFW National Home for Children and he was happy to

report that Post 2177 is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year with him being the first member

of his Post to tour the home.

This home provides the relatives of veterans with a new place to call home and an opportunity to start a new life.  It has been home to more than 2000 children and family members in the past 84 years.  Today a staff of 63 supports an average of 130 parents and children.

The complex boasts 74 buildings on a 629 acre campus including 40 individual homes 36 single family brick homes and two duplexes. As the Home approaches the 85th year of service, it will continue to build on the strong foundation of its history while we focus on the needs of today's veterans and military, says National Home  Executive Director Patrice Green.

 

"We are reaching out to the new young veteran and military families to let them know about the

heartwarming safety net the VFW and the Ladies Auxiliary have built for them here" This is a local means to let the public know of the existence of the home and the effort of the Veterans of Foreign Wars when things get tough for young families of current veterans, says George Weber.  Some former residents of the  home have become veterans themselves and served the country. 

 (Photos courtesey of Earl & Joyce Boyer)