Herald Neighbors

East Rockaway VFW Post 3350’s auxiliary is reborn

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Members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3350 and the families of service members crowded into the VFW Post 3350 in East Rockaway on Feb. 1 to watch as the post’s auxiliary was reinstated.

The VFW post previously had an auxiliary in the 1900s comprised of service members’ family members, and the auxiliary built the VFW post’s headquarters, on Main Street in East Rockaway. “The auxiliary has been in this post since the beginning,” VFW Commander Steve Owens said at the induction ceremony.

By the late 1900s, however, membership was declining and the post had trouble recruiting, according to VFW Post Quarter Master Patrick Iuliucci. “They got older, they couldn’t recruit anymore and they lost that spark,” he said.

About 10 years ago, members of the VFW tried to reinstate the auxiliary, but to no avail. Several months ago, however, Iuliucci put out notices that he was looking to recruit people to join a new auxiliary. The alerts attracted the attention of Rita Johnson, whose father served in the South Pacific during World War II. Together, the two found other residents who wanted to join.

“I contacted everyone I know and asked if they’d like to be a part of this,” said Johnson, who is now serving as the auxiliary’s president. “We’re excited to start.”

Johnson said one of her goals for the VFW is to help veterans in need. “I’d really like to help the veterans accomplish whatever they need and work alongside of them in their endeavors,” she said. “I just hope that I live up to everybody’s expectations and I hope we do good.”

The auxiliary will hold its first official meeting on March 1 at 7 p.m. at the VFW Post 3350, 164 Main Street.