close

Fayette woman to head state VFW Ladies Auxiliary

By Jenny Susa 4 min read

Nancy Carol Jones is only the second Fayette County woman to ever be named state president of the Veterans of Foreign War (VFW) Ladies Auxiliary. Jones, a resident of Connellsville, joined the auxiliary in 1954. She said that it took six years to become president of the auxiliary, because she had to go through six chairs on the board before filling the position.

As state president, Jones must visit all of Pennsylvania’s 24 VFW Ladies Auxiliary Districts once this year, and she has to oversee each district as they perform their duties.

“I have to carry out the mandates of the state convention and support the constitution and bylaws of the Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign War of the United States,” said Jones, explaining the function of the Ladies Auxiliary. “Our main objective is to support our veterans. We serve them and their families, their widows and children, and provide service to the community.”

Among the many programs that Jones said they promote throughout the year is cancer aid and research, which nationally has raised $300 million for cancer research.

Jones said another major program is one that supports hospitalized veterans.

“Volunteers go to veteran hospitals to visit,” said Jones. “They also organize parties there or take them to events if they are able to go.”

Jones said there is also a rehabilitation program to support veterans and their families.

Jones explained that the VFW and the Ladies Auxiliary also offer several community services, including two scholarship programs.

“One is called the ‘Voice of Democracy,’ and it is an audio essay competition for high school students,” said Jones. “There are state and national winners for the competition. Students in grades seven and eight can compete in ‘Patriots Pen Camp,’ which is a written essay contest. Themes for both contests are announced from our national headquarters in Missouri.”

The Ladies Auxiliary also sponsors the “Young American Patriotic Art Competition,” an art contest for high school students.

Jones said that each year, the state president chooses a fund-raising project of her own.

“I chose to raise money for the Ronald McDonald House in Pittsburgh,” said Jones, adding that she enlists the help of other volunteers to assist with the cause. Members supporting the project will provide community service to children and their families.

Jones already has a wealth of experience with the auxiliary that should help her to handle her new responsibilities.

She served her Connellsville auxiliary in many capacities and was elected president in 1999, serving six consecutive terms. She is a past president of the Fayette County Council and District 23 ladies auxiliaries.

On the department level, Jones served as the VFW National Home chairman in 1996 and 1997. Under her chairmanship Pennsylvania received the first-place award in its membership division. Jones received the “People Loving People for a Brighter Tomorrow” plate for achieving the established goal. She also got the exemplary service award that same year for outstanding service to the VFW National Home.

Jones was Scotland School for Veterans Children co-chairman in 1998-1999, and cancer aid and research chairman in 1999-2000.

In addition to being a life member of her auxiliary, Jones is a life member of the VFW National Home for Veterans Children and the Pennsylvania Scotland School for Veterans Children. She is also a member of the Women’s Auxiliary 59 to the Military Order of the Cooties. Jones said she believes membership is one of the most important factors for the VFW and the auxiliary.

“We want to maintain our membership 100 percent,” said Jones. “That means that each year, whatever the membership is, we want the following year to reach the same number or higher. Our members are what make our community programs possible.”

CUSTOMER LOGIN

If you have an account and are registered for online access, sign in with your email address and password below.

NEW CUSTOMERS/UNREGISTERED ACCOUNTS

Never been a subscriber and want to subscribe, click the Subscribe button below.

Starting at $4.79/week.

Subscribe Today