VFW Post 577 ~ Tulsa, Oklahoma "Oklahoma's Most Active Post" 1109 E. Sixth Street Tulsa, OK 74120 918-585-9148 admin@vfwpost577.org

OPERATION BIRTHDAY

            The first meeting to reorganize the Auxiliary to Tulsa Post 577, Veterans of Foreign Wars, was held at the home of Mrs. A. B. Dugger, 609 S. Cheyenne St. on October 5, 1923. Previous to this time a group had attempted to organize an Auxiliary but for some reason these plans did not materialize. Seven members were present at the October 5th meeting. At this meeting Mrs. A. B. Dugger was appointed president.
The second meeting of the Ladies Auxiliary to Post 577 was held at the Post rooms, 210 S. Cheyenne St. Thursday October 11, 1923. Dues were set at $1.25 annually. $1.00 being left with the local auxiliary and 25 cents being per capita to be sent to the headquarters. You will find your Auxiliary functioned in those early years very much as it does today. But they began and the Auxiliary has marched on. The charter was held open until January 14, 1924.
            November 8, the Auxiliary in their third meeting discussed plans for their part in the Armistice Day Parade, to be held Monday November 12th at 11 A.M. The cars were decorated with a banner and bunting and the Auxiliary's color blue and yellow. A special car for Gold Star Mothers was decorated. Eleven members were to take part in the parade.
            January 21, 1924 the Auxiliary went in a body to meet Big. Gen. Loyd Brett, national VFW commander. General Brett and his staff of officers were introduced by Past Commander of Tulsa Post 577, Capt. L. A. Brandies.
            January 31, 1924 during a regular meeting the group was made acquainted with the by-laws and ceremonies. Feb. 7, 1924 a special meeting and election was held in City Hall at 2:30 P.M. R. N. Maxey, Post Commander, attended and spoke of the aims and accomplishments of the VFW. Mrs. A. B. Dugger was relected president.
            January 7, 1925, correspondence was read from the National. (1) Are you in favor of state Departments? (2) Can your Auxiliary pay another tax? (3) Are you in favor of admitting grandmothers? Dues were raised to $1.50 for the purpose of maintaining State Departments. Motion carried to admit grandmothers. Election followed and Mrs. Benj. Brown was elected President. Installation was held Jan. 14 at the Police Station 15 W. 2nd.
Mrs. Jack (Belle) Swaim was installed third president of the VFW Auxiliary to Post 577 January 13, 1926. Meetings were held in the K. P. Hall. At this time the Auxiliary had 96 paid up members.
            In January 1927, Mrs. Margaret Felber was installed as fourth president of the organization. A committee was immediately set up to do all that was possible for Veterans in the Muskogee Hospital. Hospital work was continuous. In April a party was given in the hospital and 60 cakes were furnished. During this period the Auxiliary was meeting with District and State Organizations regularly. The usual Christmas activities were carried out.
October 9, 1930 the Auxiliary had been organized less than seven years at this time. During this time the group was hostess to a National Convention and entertained two National Presidents and many other high officers. One of their own members had been elected National Jr. Vice President, three had been appointed national color bearers, and two had been elected State Presidents. Post 577 Auxiliary should not be modest about this. They worked very hard, and accomplished much. They should be proud. The first five Auxiliaries in the state were Bartlesville, Tulsa, Henryetta, Garber and Muskogee.
March 19, 1931 A celebration in honor of the recent passage of the bill for adoption of the Star Spangled Banner as our National Anthem, and changing the key in which the music was written was planned for April 27, Americanism Day. April 27 the celebration was held at Woodrow Wilson High School and was well attended. There was music, speeches and flag waving.   
            October 1, 1931 Maybelle White was elected President of the Auxiliary. The need for help in furnishing lunches at the Celia Clinton School was brought before the Auxiliary and they voted $5.00 each month for lunches for school children.
            February 1932 the Auxiliary accepted an invitation to attend a celebration of McKinley's birthday given by Spanish American War vets and Auxiliary- During February Hattie Wallace, State President, made plans to entertain the National President and a party was given for the Home Fund. The last day of her visit Department Officers entertained with a breakfast, at 2 P.M. a tree was planted in honor of the Bi-Centennial of George Washington. Department officers as well as local Auxiliary and National President assisted. This tree was planted on the clubhouse grounds in Locust Park. If this tree is living, it is over 70 years old. Has this tree been neglected? Many auxiliary members would like to know. Some members have never known the Auxiliary planted trees and furnished dinners for 25 cents. We can't live in the past but the past is part of the present.
            November 3, 1932 Georgia Wallace was installed President of Post 577 Auxiliary. During the year Mrs. Wallace was president the mortgage was burned and the Post and Auxiliary were secure in their Post home. The mortgage burning was a jubilant affair. This was a happy time.
Many members do not remember the Great Depression. The prices are real. The suffering was real. Auxiliary relief work was continuous, and it was great work. November 19, 1936 Elba Hedrick was installed president of Post 577 Ladies Auxiliary; We find the Hand Grenade now mentioned at this time. Many members enjoy reading articles in this news publication.
            March 18, 1948 Nell Austin was elected president of the VFW Post 577 Ladies Auxiliary. During the terms Nell Austin was president, the local by-laws were passed and adopted. The passing of the local by-laws, the first in the state, took long hard work. This was an outstanding accomplishment and well worth the effort.
The Deed for the purchase of the Oklahoma Natural Guard Armory at 1109 E. 6th St. was dated May 29th 1946. April 16, 1946 Virginia Suttle was elected President of the VFW Auxiliary. The Auxiliary ordered 100 chairs and four new tables for the new clubhouse. The Silver Anniversary Dance net profit to the Post was $15,000.00. The Auxiliary members who helped with the dance received an Auxiliary pin and chain from Conrade Harley Cleave for their assistance.
            April 17, 1947 Ora Montgomery was installed president of the Ladies Auxiliary to Post 577. During this time the new clubhouse was progressing nicely and the Auxiliary was always helping and planning something to do to help the building fund. During this time square dances were given for the building fund. Dishes were purchased for the new clubhouse. Commander Basil Clark visited the Auxiliary and thanked the members for their wonderful help and they could continue meeting in the clubhouse during the remodeling stage.
That wonderful year of 1950~my but a busy one. On May 26 the Auxiliary voted $3000 toward the erection of the new annex. On June 12, ground breaking ceremonies were held and the building got under way. The building was formally dedicated in November. Its value estimated at $36,000 and its cost was approximately $18,000, of which $4,500 was contributed by the Auxiliary.
On December 18, 1950, Tom Brandes presented the Auxiliary with a beautiful hand made altar, using seven kinds of wood from different parts of the world.
            April 2, 1959 Georgia Hill was installed as president of the VFW Auxiliary in a public ceremony at Post 577. Post 577 Auxiliary again led the way in honoring the teachers of local schools, also urging everyone to honor their teachers. This was the third annual observance by the Auxiliary of National Teachers Day.
            How the memories come sweeping back over the years. Dear faces appear and we recall their many hours of work and dedication to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and its Auxiliary and to them all we pay tribute.

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