History of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary

Ladies Auxiliary to William Murphy VFW Post 5650 has been an active part of Columbia Falls for 62 years.

The VFW Post was chartered Feb. 11, 1946, and wives decided to form the Auxiliary, chartered April 8, 1946.

Charter members of the Auxiliary included Emma Annan, Agnes Clapper, Lottie Clapper, Julie Hill, Ann Mateka, Estella Mateka and Bernice Walsh. They were honored during the 25th anniversary of the Auxiliary. Ann Mateka is the only surviving charter member.

Auxiliary still sponsors raffles as fundraisers for projects. Latest raffle prize was a booze basket. It was won by Roxy Iverson.

Projects include food and monetary donations to the Northwest Montana Veterans Food Pantry.

A total of 148 pounds of food valued at $222 was given in December. Auxiliary cash contributions were given for both Thanksgiving and December food purchases.

A memorial to the Veterans Food Pantry was given in honor of the late Elsie Sonnenberg. Her daughter, Linda Hoerner, is a longtime Auxiliary member.

Other projects included donation to Glacier Gateway School for playground equipment; providing back packs for elementary students at Ruder School; remembering members at Montana

Veterans’ Home; giving patriotic pencils to elementary students attending November Veterans

Program and emblematic red poppies made by disabled veterans to all attending the event; placing flags at graves of VFW and Auxiliary members at Woodlawn Cemetery and attending special ceremonies conducted by United Veterans, Memorial Day; and contributing to cancer aid and research.  

Snoma Meagher, Whitefish, District 1 president of the VFW Auxiliary, made her official visit during the January Auxiliary meeting.

Local officers are Gladys Shay, president; Mary Parkhill, senior vice president and trustee; Carol Torpen, junior vice president; Lavern Johnson, conductress; Rose Anderson, chaplain; Linda Sieler, secretary; Mary Beth Arnold, treasurer (also state treasurer); Sherry Windlick, patriotic instructor; Rosemary West, guard and trustee; and Irene Barnhart, trustee. Maxine May is newest life member of the Auxiliary.

Next meeting takes place Feb. 9, at the North Valley Eagles Club.

I think it is interesting that the Post was named for William Murphy, a Columbia Falls resident who died on the March to Bataan during World War II. Name was suggested by Dick Walsh, who had been a classmate of Murphy at Columbia Falls High School.

Murphy joined the Army about 1938 and was stationed in the Philippines when World War II started. He was captured twice by the Japanese and escaped each time. Third time his capture was followed by the Bataan Death March.

Gladys Shay is a longtime resident and columnist for the Hungry Horse News.