On Sunday, August 24, 2025 the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Calabash Post 7288 Auxiliary commemorated its 40th anniversary with a celebration at the post’s activity hall.
The VFW Calabash Auxiliary was originally chartered in 1985. Among the original charter members are listed the sisters Theresa McMahon and Dottie Hoffmann who retired from Long Island, N.Y. to Calabash in early 1980’s.
Their husbands, Norman Joseph McMahon (1924-1985), and Albert Alvin Hoffmann (1917-2007) served in the U. S. Army during World War II and joined other area veterans here to charter a new VFW Post in Calabash in May of 1985.
Theresa, Dottie and the other veteran’s wives recognized the need to assist their husbands in the fledgling post. They recruited fellow veteran’s wives and family members to become part of the National VFW Ladies Auxiliary and charter a local chapter to support the new VFW Calabash Post 7288.
The original charter, now proudly displayed in the post hall at 900 Carter drive, lists 49 woman who first met on August 5, 1985. Most of the names are only fond memories today, but Pat McMahon and Dorrie Mascolo, daughters of Theresa and Dottie, are still active members today.
Past auxiliary president, Wayne Weszka, had fond memories of growing up helping his dad, a WWII Navy veteran, at his VFW post in Baltimore. When he moved to Calabash he wanted to find a way to serve local veterans and joined the Calabash VFW Men’s Auxiliary, a local group of men formed to assist the ladies auxiliary in supporting veteran’s projects through the post. At the time "official” auxiliaries were known as VFW Ladies Auxiliaries because the members were the wives, daughters and granddaughters of the veterans. As time went on, new generations of children and grandchildren, many growing up participating in VFW post activities, wanted to give back, including many men. It also became apparent that not all combat veterans were men. In today's service branches many woman serve and their spouses want to support them. Finally, in 2015, the former VFW Ladies auxiliary simply became the VFW Auxiliary welcoming all spouses, children and grandchildren. The Calabash Men’s Auxiliary merged to became core members of the reborn VFW Calabash Post 7288 Auxiliary.
Today the award winning VFW Calabash Post 7288 Auxiliary is the second largest post in North Carolina boasting 328 members. This is quite an accomplishment, considering that Calabash is not near a major metropolitan area, a military base or a V. A. Hospital. Auxiliary members can be found at the post every Thursday night running BINGO, a community favorite of over a decade. Auxiliary members are also actively involved in the community by sponsoring craft shows, distributing Poppies on Memorial and Veterans Day, hosting community events, sponsoring scholarships at local high schools and teaching elementary schools about the history of our American flag. The Auxiliary also supports an active kitchen showcasing their cooking talents for weekly Bingo, the famous annual Fish Fry during lent and many special dinner events throughout the year.
By 2:00 nearly 100 people packed the patriotically decorated VFW hall. The anniversary celebration commenced when the current president, Cathy Milstead, welcomed the attendees and told them about her personal 43 year journey in the VFW Auxiliary supporting her husband Jim, a U. S. Navy veteran and past post 7288 commander. She has been a member of the Calabash Auxiliary for 23 years. "It’s like a marriage” she said about the role of the Auxiliary and the Post, bringing peels of laughter from the married couples in the audience. "I know, we’ve had our ups and downs, but through give and take, we roll up our sleeves and in the end we work together. The auxiliary and the post are a team and together we do some great things for our veterans and our community”
She introduced the newly elected post commander, Wayne Grigsby, a retired U. S. Army General. He welcomed VFW auxiliary members and thanked the several past presidents attending for their leadership. Reciting a brief history of the organization, he emphasized the important work they have performed for the Veterans and their families for over a century and continue to do.
"We could not do this without you” Wayne said, looking around the room full of volunteers. "I greatly appreciate all the support and tireless compassion you give to us Veterans. We would not have this building or the success of our many great initiatives without the support of the auxiliary and the great teamwork that you have provided for the past 40 years.”
Wayne thanked the volunteers for the vital initiatives they have achieved over the last four decades, continuing today. "You support our veterans at the VA, provide scholarships for the youth of our community, organize community events and foster camaraderie among our service men and women. Each project embodies the spirit of patriotism for this great country that binds us together.” He said. "Last year, alone, the VFW Calabash Post 7288 Auxiliary raised over $25,000 for the veterans and the local community. Give yourself a round of applause for that!” He concluded as the audience cheered and clapped. "Let us stay committed to our mission as a team!”
Debra Crowder, Department of North Carolina VFW Auxiliary District 5 president spoke next. She talked about the importance for Veterans to share their stories with families and friends so their legacy is not forgotten. She reminisced about all the programs and activities she had been invited to attend at the Calabash post, thanking the volunteers for their very active service.
Past post commander, Jim Milstead, thanked the auxiliary members and pointed to the post’s flags displaying ribbons signifying their four times in recent years winning the All American Post, the highest honor a post can achieve. "Short and sweet” Jim quipped ”we couldn’t have done it without you! Thank You.”
Past president Fran Redfield served for eight years as the VFW Calabash Post 7288 Auxiliary president and as a past department of North Carolina president during the period in 2015 when the Ladies organization expanded to include men. The daughter of a Navy veteran, she was recruited by Dottie Hoffman in 2006 while volunteering for a blood drive. "She gave me an application and refused to take no for an answer!" Fran said to a roar of laughter. Well poised from personal experience to provide a history of both the local and state auxiliary, over the last several decades, she reviewed the time line. She lamented the fact that the founding ladies of the post were busy doing the work, but often didn’t take the time to record the history and since they are gone, much of that history is now lost. She mentioned three very active charter members, serving well throughout the 1980’s and 90’s, Dottie Hoffman, Theresa McMahon and Lillian Hickman. "Those are the woman that made the post what it was, and now its up to us to continue that legacy” Fran said. She encouraged the younger members to continue stepping forward to carry-on the good works of the organization.
In addition to their mission to support the veterans through "unwavering support for uncommon heroes” the VFW Calabash Post Auxiliary is committed to supporting the local community through scholarships and fundraising in partnership with the Veterans and the community itself.
The VFW Auxiliary is one of the nation’s oldest veterans’ service organizations, originating in 1914. Their members are the relatives of those who have served in a location of foreign conflict. They have nearly 470,000 members in over 3,600 Auxiliaries representing all 50 states who volunteer millions of hours and give millions of dollars to support veterans, military service personnel and their families.
Another important function is to be a voice for veterans on Capitol Hill. The Auxiliary is instrumental in assisting the VFW to pass or block legislation that impacts veterans and their families. They are one of the top 10 providers of volunteer hours in the VA medical system. Every year, members fundraise millions of dollars for charitable projects that benefit veterans and their families. They also provide hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships for our nation’s youth including an annual local scholarship commemorating the legacy of Theresa McMahon.
Lunch was served to the attendees and a cake proclaimed "Celebrating 40 years”. Music was provided by a local D. J., including a group sing-a-long of "Proud to be an American” followed by dancing. Meanwhile, visitors perused dozens of photo albums that paid tribute to the many events and activities sponsored by the auxiliary over the years,while photographs of the past presidents looked on. It seemed like the old photos had taken on a proud expression, pleased for all that has been accomplished during the last 40 years.
