Auxiliary Archive

Retired Army Lieutenant Colonel Gordon Weith, Vice President of the Pennsylvania Wounded Warriors, Received a check in the amount of $6,592.04.  This money was raised during the walk for Pennsylvania Wounded Warriors held May 13, 2017 in Lititz. 

Pennsylvania Wounded Warrior Walk was held May 13, 2017 even tho it was raining it was a success. Thank's to all who helped make it a memorable event again this year. 

Lititz Walk for PA Wounder Warriors, Inc. Information

This year’s Lititz Walk for PA Wounded Warriors, Inc.,  will be held Saturday, May 13, from 9:30 to 3 PM. Park and register at the Lititz rec Center at 301 Maple St. or our second registration site at the corner of Sturgis Lane and Main St. with free parking at the Lititz Mutual Insurance Company across from the town square fountain. (Main and W. Main St.) 

Register, then take off on your own for a stroll, walk or run using our map that shows a path through town where you'll see Lititz historical sites, Lititz Springs Park and our charming downtown shopping area.

We would love to see your team of co-workers, friends, or family walk The Walk this year. Wear your team shirt or hat so everyone knows you support PA veterans!

The Lititz Walk for PA Wounded Warriors is held to raise funds and awareness for Pennsylvania Wounded Warriors, Inc. The folks on the Walk committee are volunteers from local civic organizations, area businesses and students.

Pennsylvania Wounded Warriors, Inc. is an independent statewide nonprofit organization that helps Pennsylvania veterans and their families. PAWW is not affiliated with nor a part of the national Wounded Warrior Project and does not receive any funds from them.

Sarah Hummer, auxiliary sister and organizer of Merry Lititz Christmas put in hundreds of hours to make this a special day for over 600 children, she had games for them as well as a magician, a balloon artist,face painting,books and snacks and much more the day ended with a visit to Mr.and Mrs. Clause.  Thank You Sarah!

Some of the auxiliary volunteers at Merry Lititz Christmas. What a wonderful day we had!!

Thanks to Geo, Auxiliary Jr. Vice and Jason, Auxiliary Member for organizing the holiday decorating of the post

Swearing in of our New President for 2016-2017

Chris Caruthers

Auxiliary Officers 2016-2017

On August 21, 2015, John A. Biedrzycki Jr., national commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW) signed a new congressional charter of its Auxiliary organization in a historical event solidifying the VFW’s commitment to membership equality for all military families. The former Ladies Auxiliary VFW, founded in 1914, is the VFW’s highly regarded support organization and is considered its “Partner in Service.”  

The former Ladies Auxiliary VFW,  offered membership within the organization exclusively to female spouses and family members of any member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. The gender-specific eligibility requirement remained for more than 100 years until July 20, 2015, when delegates to the VFW’s 116th National Convention in Pittsburgh voted to amend the dated by-law to extend the same membership opportunity to eligible males.

Appropriately, the Ladies Auxiliary VFW has changed its official name to the VFW Auxiliary. “It’s an exciting time to be a member of the Auxiliary,” said National President Francisca Guilford. “Women comprise nearly twenty percent of our nation’s military, and this change allows all spouses, fathers, grandfathers, sons, grandsons and brothers to serve others in honor of their veteran.”

Last year alone, its members worked to provide $4.6 million dollars in monetary aid to veterans, active duty military and their families, and volunteered nearly 800,000 hours in VA Medical Centers, hospitals, nursing and veterans’ homes. Auxiliary members also contributed greatly to cancer research, youth activities, civic patriotism and much more. 

Questions regarding the change or eligibility information should be directed to VFW Auxiliary membership chairman Kathy Wiker at 615-2449.

Auxiliary Officers 2016-2017

                       President - Chris Caruthers                               Sr.VicePresident - Kathy McCullough
Jr. Vice President - Georgianne Hoffman
Secretary - Kathy Kennavan
Treasurer - Kathy Wiker
Chaplain - Pam Dochter
Conductress - Robbi Hugar
Guard - Bev Wickenheiser
3 yr. Trustee - Sandy Styer
2 yr. Trustee - Becky Preis
1 yr. Trustee - Jane Dzubinski
Patriotic Instructor - Deb Lafever & Anne Loechner

Supporting the National Home for Children

VFW Post 1463 received a letter of thanks for generous support of the NATIONAL HOME FOR CHILDREN 2009-2010 . VFW Post 1463 was awarded a Silver Donor Plaque indicating a donation of $1,000 to $1,999.

Ladies Auxiliary Treasurer Wins National Award

Kathy Wiker, treasurer of the Ladies Auxiliary to Lititz Springs VFW Post 1463, has received the National Aide-De-Camp award from the 2010-2011 Ladies Auxiliary National President, Cortina Barnes. The award was announced recently at the Ladies Auxiliary National Convention in San Antonio, TX. This marks the first national award for a Post 1463 Ladies Auxiliary member.

Mrs. Wiker received an Aide-De-Camp pin and letter from National President Barnes in appreciation of her efforts in securing 21 new or reinstated auxiliary members from July 1, 2010 through April 30, 2011 and submitting all paperwork according to the rules of the Ladies Auxiliary membership program.

The Lititz Springs VFW Post 1463 and its Ladies Auxiliary congratulates Kathy on her national award and wishes her continued success.

Ladies Auxiliary Cancer Walkathon

On Saturday, October 22, the Ladies Auxiliary Cancer Walkathon, coordinated by Chris Caruthers, took place in Lititz Springs Park.

The Warwick High School Brass Ensemble started the day off by playing the National Anthem while Tom Tedrow, Joel Ellis and Robert Aikens displayed the colors. Local Girl Scouts of America joined us in setting up, walking and cleanup. Several vendors set up shop. The sale of an array of gifts at the raffle table added to our total profit for CA Aid & Research. More details and piuctures can be found here.

Ladies Auxiliary Raffle - April 17,18

Recently the ladies of the auxiliary held a raffle at Sunday breakfast and Monday Madness. There were great prizes and a bake sale. Thanks to the loyal support of Post members, the raffle was very successful.

Profits from the fundraiser help support our local, state and national auxiliary programs. In recent months the Ladies Auxiliary has supported military assistance programs including Adopt-A-Vet, Adopt-A-Family; cancer aid and research; VFW National Home for Children; Lititz Fourth of July weekend; Salute to Veterans at Clipper Stadium; Power Pack Project and many more programs.


(Left to Right) Bonnie Tedrow, Senior vice-president; Janet Getz, Auxiliary Trustee and District 9 President; Anne Loechner, Patriotic Instructor; Kathy Wiker, Treasurer; Susan Ellis, President; auxiliary sister Bev Wickenheiser.

Cards for Troops

The ladies of the auxiliary gathered in November to write holiday cards for the troops and our veterans in local nursing homes. They also made bookmarks topped with poppies to include with the comfort kits the post would present to our nursing home vets.









We enjoyed a covered dish dinner at this first auxiliary social evening. Everyone enjoyed working and dining together and we hope to do this again very soon. We can break the winter doldrums with another event like this in January or February. Let's think about visiting local veterans in nursing homes for Valentines Day, and bring some small token of appreciation again.

Thanksgiving Community Dinner

The Lititz United Methodist Church offered Thanksgiving Day Dinner to the community again this year. While some volunteers served dinner at the church, other volunteers delivered approximately 40 Thanksgiving dinners to shut-ins in the area.



VFW Post 1463 and Ladies Auxiliary participants included: (Back Row L to R) Joel Ellis, Ken Loechner, Richard Getz. (Front row L to R) Susan Ellis, Janet Getz, Anne Loechner, Lily Stief.

Our first Meet and Greet was held on August 30, 2010. It went well with seven renewals obtained. We distributed pamphlets on our flag, homeland security, veterans benefits and legislative directories, information on our auxiliary and how it works. Hopefully, some of those who visited us will attend at least one meeting or event this year. Melissa (our new Post bartender) was selected as the winner of the free annual membership. Thanks to all who helped and attended.

A plaque was presented to Anne Loechner in appreciation and recognition of her years of dedication as patriotic instructor. Originally the plaque was presented to Anne by the Ladies Auxiliary at their final meeting of the year in June 2010. On June 22, Anne and Kathy Wiker posed for a picture as a remembrance of the event.

June 22, 2010 - Ladies gathered to address custom forms and send out membership letters.

July 8, 2010 - Auxiliary Members joined other community volunteers to pack Care Packages for Troops. A total of 238 care packages were packed and shipped to troops in Iraq, Afghanistan and Horn of Africa.

For a blast from the past, you may read Auxiliary minutes from the 1940s by downloading this PDF file. Kathy Wiker, Susan Ellis and Janet Getz discovered the journal in a closet in April 2010.