“It’s hard to give exact names of unsung heroes only because there are so many that do thankless jobs and spend endless hours to ‘get the job’ done on projects and events that each one does out of respect and pride for the real heroes — veterans.”
According to Amy Peterson, Frances Sherman VFW Auxiliary president, many of these “unsung heroes” are part of veterans’ clubs and organizations throughout the Bradford community. They are people who organize events that celebrate veterans, people who often go unnoticed for their sacrifices and service to the community and its servicemen and women.
Among them is Peterson, herself.
“I, personally, joined under my father, David Maben; he and my uncles were all life members of the Auxiliary, each of which held various offices,” Peterson told The Era. “I literally grew up in the VFW family. I was taught very early that our veterans meant something, fought for something and therefore deserve the utmost respect.”
When she joined over 20 years ago, Peterson’s mother, Reba, was auxiliary president.
“As the current president who’s walked in my family’s footsteps, I am fortunate to still have some of my mentors from the times past — such as Sally Scott, Mary Farnsworth, Marsha Hedlund, Wilma Maben and Donna Whitford — that we can turn to for guidance and suggestions,” Peterson stated. “Those ladies helped set the foundation that never cracked, only to get stronger through the years.”
While there are different faces now, the same hearts and goals are present, Peterson added.
And, although some of these heroes are regularly mentioned in publications throughout the year, Peterson noted that “there is so much more that goes on behind the scenes.”
“The VFW Post 212 Auxiliary is a strong, imaginative, active and supportive group, with people that eat, sleep and breathe veteran causes,” she said. “It may be the guy that plays the tickets; the couple that works the event doors; the ones that travel to every meeting or convention; it may be the woman that makes a mean apple pie; the bookkeepers; the event coordinator; the cook; the bartenders; the officers; the band groupies; the membership guru; the Santa’s helpers; the group that visits the nursing homes/hospitals; the ones that place the flags on graves; or the veteran that returned safely who decides to keep on giving. And so many others.”
Peterson added that the Auxiliary is “one piece” of the puzzle that includes other clubs and organizations to complete the whole picture of unsung heroes fighting for those who fight for our country.
The Bradford American Legion Post 108 also strives to recognize veterans in a variety of ways, according to Darcy Rau, club manager of the Bradford Legion.
“We have free hot dogs on Saturdays, food for Sunday football and dinners throughout the year to benefit the Legion and the veterans we seek to recognize, celebrate and support,” stated Rau. “With that, there are many helpful hands that never get recognized, people who go out of their way to show respect and tribute to our veterans just with the efforts they make toward planning and putting on these events. Our Auxiliary is always willing to help and can make some great food, and the Sons are always doing something to help keep things running smooth.”
And, for Val Meacham, it is the collective effort of the local VFW, Legion, Post and Club members, organizers and officials that deserve the ultimate recognition.
“The managers at the veterans’ clubs do way more than anyone thinks,” Meacham told The Era. “Matt Wilber at the VFW and Darcy Rau at the Legion have the task of keeping things fresh and moving at their respective clubs. Our Post and club officers have a huge responsibility to keep things functioning as well. Our Frances Sherman VFW Auxiliary president, Amy Peterson, has been at the helm and kept our wheels turning for several years now. She has brought a lot of things to fruition under her watch. And there are so many others who work just as hard to give our veterans the respect and support they deserve – that they’ve earned.”
To be a Post member, persons must have served on foreign soil, Meacham explained. Membership is a large part of serving the cause for veterans that Meacham, herself, has continuously sought to uphold.
“Our Auxiliary is 95 years old so we have learned the ins and outs from longtime members who have become our mentors,” Meacham said. “In years gone by, things were very strict. They have relaxed immensely, however, as they want young people to join and keep things moving and the charter intact.”
According to Meacham, time has changed membership drastically. Now, more than ever, it is important for members of the community to take up the charge of representing veterans and their families.
“We are losing our World War II veterans and many of our members that have served in other conflicts,” she described. “When I became a member almost 20 years ago, we had a lot of World War II guys with us yet and they ran our VFW Post, and they did it well. I’ve seen the club at Chestnut Street move to Sal’s, then to Riddell House and now to Barbour Street. And I’ve had the opportunity to listen to stories from a few of our older veterans – there are not a lot of them that like to relate their stories. The goal is always the same: helping our veterans, and keeping that work going however possible.”
Meacham, along with her sisters Jody Zimmerman and Jan Ryan, joined the VFW Auxiliary under their father, Darrel ‘Toot’ Osborne, who served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. According to Meacham, her father rarely spoke of his tour.
“I do my part in honor of my hero—my dad,” Meacham said. “It’s not a lot, but I do what I can when I can, as does everyone else hard at work to bring positivity to area veterans. I believe we are but a grain of sand on this earth; while we are here, do what you can to make it a better sand pile.”
Meacham continued, “If I named names of everyone that leaves their thumbprint on our veterans and bringing light to their issues, it would go on forever. Know that we care for our veterans no matter what conflict they have served in. We send packages to deployed soldiers when we have an address for one; we host fundraisers to support struggling military families; we’ve taken Boy Scout Troop 412 and Cub Scout Pack 412 under our wing; we strive to be leaders, role models and thankless organizers of this community’s well-oiled machine for servicemen and women across the board.”
Despite the strong efforts that take place daily, Meacham noted that Post ranks are, unfortunately, dwindling. It is up to the next generations to fill the gaps and carry on the cause.
“There is a sadness when you stop and think of days gone by with our fun-loving veterans who are no longer with us,” Meacham stated. “We must instill in our younger veterans the importance of carrying on the positions needed for the VFW Posts to keep them active. And to those throughout the community that continue to serve those who have served the nation, I want you to know that your effort does not go unnoticed. You are a hero — however unseen, and however unsung.”
