There is new leadership at the helm of Oak Harbor’s Veterans of Foreign Wars. An installation ceremony was held at the Whitehead-Muzzall Post 7392 Saturday, May 19 for the VFW Post, the VFW Ladies Auxiliary and the VFW Jr. Girls Auxiliary.
Fred Green, State Judge Advocate for the VFW Department of Washington, was there to oversee and help facilitate the installation.
First to be installed into office was the president of the Junior Girls Auxiliary, 9-year-old Holly Berlin, who came prepared with a brief speech.
“I’m grateful for this honor,” said Berlin. “I look forward to having a great, active year.”
Other Junior Girls Auxiliary officers inducted include senior vice president Natasha Eccleston and junior vice president Margaret Gronski.
Officers for the VFW Post include commander Keith Wooldridge; senior vice commander Michael Pierzchala; junior vice commander Sam Miller; quartermaster Darrell Small; chaplain Wesley Wilson; judge advocate Roy Sill; surgeon Chris Kinkel; one-year trustee David Hollett; two-year trustee Gary Cosper; three-year trustee Ben Bunnell; adjutant David Johnson; and service officer Gary Cosper.
Wooldridge, who took over command from Hollett, said the previous year had been a good one for the post, which saw 65 new members. This is the third time Wooldridge has been post commander, and he looks forward to the coming year.
“I enjoy working with veterans,” he said. “I’m looking forward to continuing to build membership in the VFW and establishing a presence in the community.”
New president of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary, Shari Vogelman, has been a member of the group for about eight years.
“I want to thank everybody for having the trust in me to do this,” she told the group. “I hope to help make our organization bigger and better.”
Other Ladies Auxiliary officers sworn in are senior vice president Marie Lang; junior vice president Trish Ryals; treasurer Kathi Naff; secretary Gina Riggles; chaplain Achsah Haun; conductress Lauri Croan; guard Delia Pierce; patriotic instructor Judy Leu; and three-year trustee Joanne McDaniel.
When asked what she looked forward to the most in her new role as Junior Girls Auxiliary president, Berlin said, “Controlling the meetings — ‘cuz it’s going to be fun.”
