Male and female relatives of those who served with the Armed Forces of the United States in overseas combat have an opportunity to join the USA’s oldest Veterans Service Organization Auxiliary and work to improve the lives of veterans and their families in our community.

In a touching ceremony held jointly in France and the USA on 25 June, the VFW National Auxiliary instituted the Benjamin Franklin VFW Post 605 Auxiliary in Paris, France. This newest addition, and just the fourth VFW Auxiliary situated outside the USA, joined a network of more than 3,600 Auxiliaries and 470,000 members worldwide to enhance their communities through volunteer projects, patriotic programs, youth scholarships and activities that support veterans, service members and their families.

"Having the opportunity to institute and install an Auxiliary thousands of miles away on Zoom was just amazing,” said VFW Auxiliary National President Brenda Bryant. 

"We were able to have five Past National Presidents as well as the members of the VFW National Home Board watch (from Eaton Rapids, Michigan) the members of Paris become part of our organization. When Past National President Jane Reape was instituting them, my emotions were all over the place… we are hearing the members from Paris taking their oath. How awesome is that!”

Newly installed Post 605 Auxiliary President Jennifer Pinard shared this enthusiasm speaking on behalf of the 44 Charter Members, "We are thrilled and honored to join the VFW Auxiliary family and bring their programs to Paris. We have long supported Post 605 locally, and now we are strengthened by formally becoming VFW Auxiliary members. This is a major step forward for us that will reverberate across the US community in France and throughout Europe.”

Since 1914, the VFW has benefited from the support of the VFW Auxiliary. Together, members work tirelessly on behalf of communities around the world. 

"The Post 605 Auxiliary effectively becomes a force multiplier,” stated VFW Post 605 Commander Timothy Povich. "Our collective efforts will reach wider and engage more veterans and their families, bringing that most important support and comradery to those of us needing it most.”

For information on joining the new Auxiliary, or finding ways to work with the Auxiliary in Paris, France contact Jennifer Pinard at auxparisfrance@gmail.com.