Greetings Auxiliary Brothers and Sisters,
It seems but just a short time ago that the new auxiliary year started, and we are now almost at the close of the year. It has been a year that has been one full of triumphs and tribulations, but each experience helped shape and grow our organization, and each experience helped us to learn how to lean on and learn from each other.
Throughout this year I have seen some amazing mentoring being done, as auxiliaries moved to new districts, members transferred to other auxiliaries due to a Post closure, the continued mentoring of a new auxiliary, and the everyday mentoring that has been done has been amazing to witness firsthand and to hear about. I, myself, have continued to be mentored, as well as helping to mentor others, as there is always something new to learn, whether you are the mentor or the mentee. I am truly grateful to all of you, as we all have something that we can share with one another.
Due to the mentoring, I have also seen where auxiliary membership has grown, because you are all taking the time to talk with those who are interested, or who may not have known what it truly means to be a VFW Auxiliary member. There is no comparison for the commitment and dedication that is shown in your service to our veterans and their families. This passion and dedication are what moves our organization forward, it is what makes our legislators take a deeper look into the issues that affect; our veterans, veterans’ families, and veterans’ caregivers, it is what brings hope to those who may see more gray skies than rays of sunshine. Each and everyone of you are those rays that break through those gray skies, and I commend all of you for that.
All though it seemed as though there were a plethora of trials and tribulations this year, there was such a significant number of joyous occasions and moments to treasure for a lifetime to come. From being part of a historical event - of being part of the escort and bringing home WWII Prisoner of War Technician Fifth Grade Clifford H. Strickland to finally be laid to rest and reunited with his loved ones, to enjoying the hospitality and delicious barbecue of the KCBS Pitmaster Contest held in Castle Rock, to travelling to the different Districts and visiting with members, to enjoying time spent with our Voice of Democracy winners during a weekend in Colorado Springs to celebrate their accomplishments, and to going out to Washington D.C. to attend the Legislative Conference; these will be memories that will be cherished for years to come. Not only will I cherish the memories that were created from these moments and experiences, but I will also cherish that which I learned from the mentors and friends that we lost this year.
One shall never hunger, or a child be denied a smile.
For the wind shall always carry us to them;
To quiet the gnawing of an empty stomach,
And bring joy and laughter to the young.
A servant’s heart, through and through.
~ These shall be the lessons and legacies left of Past Department Commander Ron Davies.
A warm smile, and glint of mischievousness;
Laughter, a friend and constant companion.
No bedazzled baseball cap, shirt or jacket
To be left unworn or on a store shelf.
The simple reminder to always treat one’s self.
~ The loving memories, and reminders, that Miss Ellie Ford has left for us.
Jokes and laughs in abundance, with a grin,
That rivaled that of the Chesire Cat;
A friend and mentor to guided the way,
Even if you should be given a new name,
Always a reminder that life is too short not to laugh.
~ Lessons of laughter and enjoyment that Phil Garcia passed on to us.
The one who brought me into these folds,
Introductions to this and that;
Showing me how to lead the youth,
And take pride in the guidance of the Junior Girls.
Guiding me toa path of mentoring ways.
~ The knowledge and teaching of Patricia “Pat” Cooper that are left on my heart.
We must pass on their legacies of knowledge, wisdom, joy, and all that is intertwined, to those that will come after us, so that our veterans and their families will have a fighting force; at home and in Washington D.C. for many years to come.
I am humbled and deeply honored to have been able to serve as your Department President this year, and I could not have done so without all of the hard work that was put in by the Line Officers, Staff, Chairmen, and Hospital Volunteers; nor could there have been such accomplishments without all of your hard work, commitment and dedication. I extend my deepest gratitude and thanks to each of you, as it is because of each of you that all of this is possible. I am excited to see everyone at the 101st Department of Colorado Auxiliary Convention in June, and I am sure that we will all have an amazing time.
“No act of kindness, no matter how small is never wasted.” - Aesop
Warmest Wishes,
Nadia Flores
Department VFW Auxiliary President
Fontaine Que Bouille Auxiliary
Proudly Endorse
Rena Cales
For the Office of Department VFW Auxiliary President
2025-2026
We, the members of Fontaine Que Bouille Auxiliary to Post 6461, very proudly endorse our long term member and mentor, Rena Cales for the office of Department President for the 2025-2026 term. Ms. Cales has been a loyal Life Member of the Auxiliary since 2009 through her step father, William Peck who earned the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal. During her years in our Auxiliary, Rena has held many different positions, such as 3 years as our President, 7 years as our Treasurer, 6 years as our Secretary, and as a Trustee for 1 year. Rena held District 5 positions like Guard, 3 years, Secretary for 6 years, Treasurer for 7 years and President for 1 year. She also served as Department Chairperson for 7 years, 3 being the Hospital Chairperson, as well as Buddy Poppy, Americanism, Veteran and Family Support, and Legislative. She was Department Conductor, Jr. Vice and Sr. Vice, as well. With the Military Order of the Cooties, Rena served as the Auxiliary Grand President Grand Chaplain and on the local level, President. Rena is a mentor to all of us in our Auxiliary, helping with her vast knowledge of the organization and her willingness and dedication to help in every task and event.
We firmly believe that Rena Cales will be a dedicated and loyal Department President and will continue to be an asset to the Colorado VFW Auxiliary. We hope that you will join us in supporting Rena at the Department Convention.
Sincerely,
On behalf of Bobbi Vigil, President
Karen Marshall, Secretary
Fontaine Que Bouille Auxiliary
VFW Post 6461
The Department of Colorado VFW Auxiliary General orders for the current Auxiliary year are published on this page. All Department, District and Post officers should be familiar with them and Secretaries should maintain a file of the current orders which is an inspectable item.
As of April 30, 2025
| District 1 | 2023 | 2024 | % | District 8 | 2023 | 2024 | % | ||
| 1 | Denver | 181 | 183 | 101%* | 859 | Leadville | 17 | 18 | 106%* |
| 322 | Englewood | 76 | 74 | 97.37 | 11411 | Lake George | 48 | 48 | 100%* |
| 5061 | Denver | 174 | 179 | 103%* | 12009 | Conifer | 32 | 39 | 122%* |
| 9644 | Fort Logan | 354 | 368 | 104%* | TOTAL | 97 | 105 | 108%* | |
| TOTAL | 785 | 804 | 102%* | ||||||
| District 2 | District 9 | ||||||||
| 2788 | Penrose | 45 | 46 | 102%* | 4264 | Stmbt Spgs | 28 | 28 | 100%* |
| 3641 | Pueblo | 62 | 55 | 88.71 | 4265 | Craig | 37 | 32 | 86.49 |
| 4061 | Canon City | 102 | 100 | 98.04 | 5843 | Meeker | 31 | 31 | 100%* |
| 5812 | Pueblo West | 45 | 49 | 109%* | 9374 | Kremmling | 22 | 23 | 105%* |
| 7305 | Colo City | 23 | 23 | 100%* | TOTAL | 118 | 114 | 96.61 | |
| 8898 | Boone | 18 | 20 | 111%* | |||||
| TOTAL | 295 | 293 | 99.32 | ||||||