VFW Auxiliary 2356 meeting was brought to order by President Thomas Brown on July 7, 2020 at 6 p.m. with 13 members in attendance. We welcomed back Marge Sprouse and Nancy Haeger who has been out sick. All reports of committees were given and Michigan Connection was read. Plans for the V.J. Day breakfast for veterans taking part in the V.J. Day parade were finalized. This breakfast is from 8 to 11 a.m. on Aug. 8 at the hall. Donations for the breakfast will be accepted. The school will be contacted to see if there are any students who will be willing to assist our veterans on the float with their needs during the parade and who might be able to help with the breakfast.

We are in need of youth willing to decorate paper bags for the Fall Conference Auction. If you have any children willing to decorate a bag or two, please get these bags to Judi Brown by Sept. 15.

The Patriot Pen, Voice of Democracy and Teacher of the year Banquet is scheduled for Sept. 15 at 6 p.m. Please if you have a son or daughter that took part in these programs contact Judi Brown at 989-464-7376 to RSVP for the banquet. This banquet was canceled from the original date because of the pandemic.

The Auxiliary is holding a BAKELESS BAKESALE to help recoup some funds for the general fund. Since the pandemic, we have been unable to hold our Friday bake sale to help with obligations toward our veterans.

We express our sympathies to Sharon Reed whose precious husband passed away. Glen and Sharon have supported the VFW for years and he will be missed. The Auxiliary is making a donation to the Glen and Sharon Reed Flag Fund through the Community Foundation of Northeast Michigan in Alpena. Glen and Sharon have replaced our beloved flag many times in the past. We thank them for this awesome gift. Glen also has donated many things to keep our VFW Hall in good shape. He was a true patriot. God Bless this family. Along with our donation, a donation from Russ and Nancy Gulick was sent in to the Flag Fund. Thank you to the Gulick’s.

Tom and Judi would also like to thank everyone who has helped with donations to the Quilt of Valor in memory of Jeff Brown, this year’s quilts are about done and many have been distributed. The final presentation will be V.J. Day at the Episcopal Church in Hillman following the V.J. Day parade. Our State Commander Scott Glogger and State President Carrie Turner will be presenting these quilts. There are raffle tickets left if anyone would like to purchase them Contact Judi Brown 989-742-2236.

It is Annual Dues time so if you are an annual member please expect a dues notice shortly and for Life members Cancer dues are now due and are $10.00 for the year. Cancer dues are sometimes ignored by members with the idea they do not want this insurance but this is not an option because it is a group policy so if you are a Life member please do not put this burden on or treasury to pay for you. Remember during the pandemic we have had no money coming in. Many members have been recipients of the funds from this insurance this past year.

A huge thank you to goes out to those who helped to wash walls in the Hall during the pandemic, those who worked were, Bonnie Shaw, Mary Brown, Marge Sprouse, Dawn Caverly, Tom and Judi Brown and Art. Both the main hall and the kitchen walls were cleaned.

We pray that we can get back to normal soon. God bless you all and thank you again for all you do for the veterans.

Our next meeting is Aug. 4 at 6 p.m. at the post home.