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Forty-Seven Years Of Service And Going Strong

Sharing Memories With Verna Duprey

photo provided Verna and Robert Duprey attend a national convention of the American Legion in the early 1970’s as a couple and as representatives of both the Legion and the Ladies Auxiliary.

photo provided Passing on a love of service and a passion to help veterans and their families, Verna Duprey gathers with her family to celebrate. Back row: Chris Kayhart, Lynn Duprey Kayhart, Parker Kayhart, Robert Duprey, Amal Duprey, Anthony Duprey. Second row: Peyton Duprey, Verna Duprey, Ruth Doxter, Sandra Duprey, Sandra Duprey and Reagan Kayhart. Front row: Emma Duprey, Rebekah Duprey and Arianna Duprey.

Tuesday July 13, 2010

By Cookie Steponaitis

    Verna Durpey was about fourteen years old when she was first introduced to the American Legion and the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary. She was invited to a meeting by local auxiliary member Jane Austin and the rest is history. Verna was born in Vergennes in 1934 and can not remember a time when she along with local people was not involved in community service. “My mother and father were both very active in veteran and community organizations,” shared Verna. “I grew up in Vergennes and people here gravitated toward organizations that gave help and made a difference.” The American Legion Ladies Auxiliary provides programs for youth, education, and civic organization and most importantly helps the families of the veterans. The organization became a permanent part of Verna’s life when she married her husband Robert in 1954. In addition,Verna’s siblings and family, Mr. & Mrs. Bill Patten and Mr.& Mrs. Elroy Aunchman are also live long Legion Members and active participants in assisting community members and veteran’s families.

     “My husband was a World War II veteran,” explained Verna. “At the time we married he was involved with the Veterans of Foreign War Post in Middlebury and the Middlebury American Legion Post. Over the years he held many positions in the Vergennes Legion and including post commander. We went to meetings together and I was extremely active in the Ladies Auxiliary. At last count, I was the president nine times over the years and proudly served as the Department President in 1990-1991 and held the national position of National Executive Committee Woman member in 1993. I continue to serve and am entering my forty-seventh year just as excited as I was back in high school.”

     What attracts Verna and to this day makes her positively beam with energy is the largest and one of the most dedicated groups in America, the Legion Ladies Auxiliary. It has the distinction of being the largest women’s patriotic organization in America and has more than one million active members in over 10,100 locations. The Legion Ladies Auxiliary prides itself on its volunteerism, legislative action, and education programs for families, youth, elderly and so much more. “We help our veterans,” stated Verna. “It is as simple as that. Freedom isn’t free and someone paid for it or is paying for it by service now. We work to bring help to the families of veterans who have served or are serving.  Whether it is money, clothing, educational support, or specific assistance, we are there, because our mission is to support the veteran and their family.”
Relying on what Verna calls a “strong tradition” of local involvement, the Ladies Auxiliary supports a number of extraordinary educational programs and opportunities that Verna feels many are unaware of. “ We have our wonderful Girls State Program and our Valley Forge Program as well as supporting local Girl Scouting programs. Every year some junior girls from the local high school are sent on a week long program with others from around the state to learn about the workings of the government. They run a mock governmental session, give speeches, plan and pass bills and become aware of the process that is behind their U.S. Constitution and freedom. I am so excited that this year, Hannah DeGraaf, a junior at VUHS was selected as the Girls State Governor and served in that capacity for the week. She even got to spend the day with Governor Douglass and be present at the signing of legislation. Hannah was elected by her peers and that is an incredible honor.”

     Verna was quick to bring up “… that in addition to these programs, the American Legion also offers programs for teen boys including Boys State and the Oratorical Contest. There are just so many opportunities out there and we are proud to send our youth to these special programs as well as offer scholarships to our graduating seniors.”

     Verna shared many fond memories of attending national conventions with her husband and being a part of special moments in the history of the local legion and milestones of the national organization as well. With a motto of “Service, not self” the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary members have the distinction of serving in such capacities nationwide as part of a group that raises more than $18 million every year for VA medical centers and programs; devotes thousands of hours to programs on safety and crime prevention and are the backbone of 171 VA medical centers; assist hospital staff with therapy and duties that would cost taxpayers millions, and strive to not only educate about patriotism and the U.S. Constitution, but undertake issues such as drug and alcohol abuse as well. While Verna’s own remarkable memory could go on to list more accolades and programs, she summarized her message succinctly and with passion.

   “Just get involved,” she stated. “This is a very rough time for our veterans and our service people are deployed all around the globe in situations where they are in harm’s way. We can help each other and keep their families safe and out of need while they give us the freedom to watch another Fourth of July and complain about a small heat wave. Whether it is the Legion, the VFW, or other organizations, simply get involved. You will never regret it and you will join in a tradition that makes this area strong and special.”

      Her son Robert served as a U.S. Marine in the Vietnam War and the message was not lost but passed onto grandchildren Anthony and Lynn and the seven great grandchildren that round out Verna’s busy life and the memories she loves to share. Glancing at the family photos that span forty-seven years of Legion involvement and hearing Verna’s plans for the week that includes two more events at Legion Post # 14, it is easy to see where the commitment of an area originates. Very simply, it is learned and passed generation to generation as a part of the fabric of life and the measure of success for each of us as a people. The Valley Voice salutes Verna, her American Legion Ladies Auxiliary members and all those who serve the community and our veterans day in and day out. Message received! Volunteerism works!

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