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Tonganoxie resident stirs interest in establishing local VFW auxilary

By Lisa Scheller - | Jan 23, 2002

A new resident of Tonganoxie has started the push toward re-establishing a women’s auxiliary for the local Veterans of Foreign Wars post.

Marie Arnold, who in October moved to Tonganoxie from Bonner Springs with her husband, John, hopes to form an auxiliary for VFW Post 9271.

Arnold, who has been a member of the ladies auxiliary to the VFW Post 56 in Leavenworth for 15 years, said by February she hopes to convince at least 20 VFW wives to join the Tonganoxie group.

Connie Putthoff was a charter member of the Tonganoxie auxiliary, which she said started in 1987 and folded in 1992. After that, Putthoff said she transferred her membership to the Leavenworth chapter.

“I’ll transfer my membership back here,” Putthoff said. “Especially since there’s going to be a post home now, it helps make it a reality.”

Construction is in progress on the VFW post home at the Reusch Memorial VFW Park.

Arnold said she’s received positive response, both from the VFW members and the wives she has contacted. The organization, she said, is beneficial to a community.

“They do community service, like going to nursing homes and helping families in need,” Arnold said. “They help veterans and their families, visit at the VA hospital and do volunteer work in the community.”

The group will also have fund-raisers.

“We have to earn money so we can give it back to the community,” Arnold said.

This can be an important organization in a community, she said.

“I’m very interested in it and I believe in it, or we wouldn’t be doing it,” Arnold said. “It’s a good thing for the community and for everyone involved.”

For more information, contact Arnold, (913) 845-8454.