Oceanside VFW Auxiliary swears in 2023 officers

The Oceanside Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary swore in president Hank Kieche, 82, and other officers on April 6. Kieche is now in his third year as president and has been in the auxiliary for 30 years. He is also first vice president of the Oceanside American Legion.

Georgianna Miller was sworn in as senior vice officer with Dolores Rogers acting as junior vice officer. The auxiliary trustees are Debbie Miller, Carmela Fiumara and Fredrick Robinson.

Kieche was drafted in 1961 in the army but wasn’t sent overseas and was out two years later. If he did go over, he would have seen the Berlin Wall being built in Germany. Instead, he did eight weeks basic training, received ten days off to leave base and got married and was sent to Fort Dix.

“All aligned companies in Fort Dix went to Germany,” he recalled, “and when it came to my company, I was in Charley company, they sent us all over United States. I went to Fort Devens Massachusetts, and I finished out my tour in Fort Devens Massachusetts.”

He was looking to go over because he is German and Austrian descent and wanted to see the land of his ancestors.

As for the auxiliary, “I love it,” he said, “it’s a great organization, but we do need members, we’re hurting so bad for members.” Anyone with a family member of somebody that went overseas can walk in and join any VFW in the area. There is one on Austin Blvd. in Island Park and another on Weidner Ave. in Oceanside. Meetings are on the first Thursday of the month at 7 p.m.