Oklahoma’s District 8 VFW Post and Auxiliary held their meeting at Bristow Post 3656 and Wake Island Memorial on Sunday, May 2, 2021. District 8 meetings occur quarterly and remain strictly limited to members only. Bristow’s Post 3656 hosts district meetings about once per year. Attendees of Sunday’s meeting included members from local VFW Post and Auxiliary units in Blackwell, Bristow, Cushing, Ponca City, Sapulpa, and Stillwater with an estimated 60 people in attendance
The meeting began with a joint session among all members of the VFW and Auxiliary. Members discussed cooperative goals, participated in the salute and pledge, and shared insights of each organization’s activities.
Following the joint session, all members enjoyed lunch together. Members of Bristow’s Auxiliary and VFW units prepared Sunday’s lunch, which consisted of a full baked potato bar with an array of delicious toppings, a salad, a dessert, and served with lemonade or iced tea. During lunch, attendees mingled, jovially interacted, and shared stories apart from the business of the day.
Mixing fun and business, Auxiliary members also prepared grab bags and gifts to raffle among those attending who wished to purchase tickets. Proceeds benefitted the organization.
In the divided meetings of the VFW and Auxiliary, the real business of each organization transpired. Each organization elected its annual district officers and discussed old and new business as well as future events.
As Sunday’s meeting closed, members headed home with renewed senses of purpose, clarified goals, newly elected leaders, and the comfort in knowing their sacrifices and service continue to make a difference.