News : VFW Auxiliary 8884 welcomes National President at Tilford

National VFW Auxiliary President Peggy Haake visited Tilford Elementary

VFW Essay contest winners Lauren Redlinger, Addison Heiter, Rylee Boggess, Grayson Marzen

The local VFW Auxillary welcomed the VFW Auxiliary National President Peggy Haake from Hawaii to Tilford Elementary. She visited with last year's Memorial Day Essay winners Lauren Redlinger, Addison Heiter, Rylee Boggess, and Grayson Marzen.

Haake and is traveling around the country visiting several of the Auxiliary posts and made a stop in Vinton. Among the group to welcome the national president was area veterans and members of the local VFW Auxilary 8884who welcomed her to Vinton.

Last year the VFW Auxilary 8884 had a total of 296 entries for their annual essay contest from the 3rd, 4th and 5th grades.  113 were 3rd Graders, and their theme was "What does Memorial Day mean to me?" Of the 4th grade classes, there were 97 entries, and their topic was, "What does the Star-Spangled Banner Mean to me?" The 5th graders had the topic, "What is it and why do I love the United States of America?" and the 5th grade had 86 entries.

The students begin writing their essays shortly after school starts and finish them in time for Veteran's Day. Members of the community judge them and the winners then go on to District and State competitions. There were 16 area teachers who participated in making this a classroom project and the local VFW Auxilary 8884 would like to thank them for their efforts.

In the Spring, there will be an assembly at both Tilford and Shellsburg Elementary to honor the students who take the time to write an essay. Each student will receive a certificate with their essay laminated on the back of it, as well as a wristband. The top 10 students receive a medal with their name, teacher and sponsor which is the VFW Auxilary 8884, on a red white and blue ribbon. The group also provides a gift to the school to thank the teachers for their participation in this project.