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VFW men’s auxiliary forming in Janesville

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Gary Kraabel

JANESVILLE — Every Veterans of Foreign Wars post in Wisconsin has a ladies auxiliary, so it’s time they have a men’s auxiliary, too, said Gary Kraabel, junior vice commander at Kienow-Hilt Post 1621.

Kraabel, 56, Janesville, got the idea last fall after visiting VFW posts near Crawfordsville, Ind., where he and his family were visiting.

“In talking to men there, most were from the men’s auxiliary,’’ he said.

Auxiliary members are not veterans but are related to veterans.

Kraabel said the men in the Indiana auxiliaries were volunteering their time and discussing veterans and their issues.

That made Kraabel wonder why Wisconsin VFW Posts didn’t have men’s auxiliaries. After checking, he learned five VFW posts in Wisconsin have men’s auxiliaries, including those in nearby Sun Prairie, Madison and Burlington.

“If I had a daughter, she’d be in the ladies auxiliary, but I don’t have a daughter. I have four sons, who are interested in my life. So why not have a program where they can help veterans like I am?’’ he asked.

Kraabel believes formation of the new auxiliary could boost declining membership at the VFW, where both post and ladies auxiliary members are growing older and less active.

A men’s auxiliary would not be meant to compete with the ladies auxiliary, he said.

“We could work together and build a better community and have everyone involved as a family group,’’ Kraabel said.

And just like the ladies auxiliary, members of the men’s auxiliary would get involved in volunteerism, service projects, fundraising and recruiting and supporting veterans, veteran’s hospitals and veteran’s children’s homes.

The only difference, Kraabel said, is “we’re just strictly men.’’

An organizational meeting will be set after 25 males interested in joining a men’s auxiliary sign up at the VFW Post, 1015 Center Ave.

The chartered auxiliary would be required to retain 15 members to continue. Annual dues would be set when the group officially forms, Kraabel said.

Although men’s auxiliary members would have the same rights as post members—such as discounts for renting the facility—Kraabel said the group is being formed primarily to benefit veterans and their families.