The Shadow
On Sunday, October 28th, National VFW Auxiliary President Brenda Bryant graced our area on her cross-country tour by her visit to Roanoke, Virginia.
President Bryant was greeted at the airport by Kathy Voss, National President Visitor Chairman and Junior Vice-President for the Department. The Department of Virginia, including Department President Dawn Kuhne, flanked by auxiliary members and comrades from across the state, welcomed President Bryant at the Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport with a flag tribute. That afternoon, a large group of members and comrades accompanied President Brenda to Black Dog Salvage, a Roanoke landmark best known for the television show, “Salvage Dawgs”. Dinner followed at veteran-owned Mission BBQ.
On Monday, President Bryant, accompanied by Department Auxiliary members and VFW comrades, made a visit to the D-Day Memorial in Bedford, Virginia. The memorial pays tribute to the valor, fidelity and unimaginable sacrifice of the Allied troops who landed on June 6, 1944.
Monday evening, VFW Post 1264 hosted a special Halloween celebration dinner with a”Day of the Dead” theme to honor the President’s favorite holiday. This Post 1264 Auxiliary group knows how to do it up right. The next morning Madam President flew off to her next destination.
Brenda Bryant of Hawk Point, Missouri, was elected to the office of National President of the Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW) Auxiliary at its 111th National Convention in Louisville, Kentucky.
A 45-year-plus member of Humphrey-Shwerdt Auxilary 2180 in Warrenton, Missouri, she has served the organization in many capacities including auxiliary, District and Department President. On the National level she has served as National District Council Member, Big Ten Conference Chairman for the Membership and Safety Programs twice, National Appeals & Grievances and Bylaws Review and Resolutions Committees, Director of the Voice of Democracy Program and as National Historian.
She joined on the eligibility of her father, Herman Stuck, who served in the United States Army from 1950 to 1952 in Korea. She is married to Wayne Bryant, a retired Vietnam Navy veteran.
Brenda is a retired special education teacher where she worked with high school behavior disability and learning disability students. She refurbishes furniture for an antique store, has served several terms as Alderman on her City Board and is certified to perform weddings.
In her spare time Brenda enjoys crafting, bringing life back to old furniture, learning about the past and interacting with veterans. She is a life member of the VFW National Home an a member of Military Order of the Cootie Auxiliary (MOCA), the Fleet Reserve Auxiliary and the Daniel Boone Area Retired Teachers Program.
Brenda and husband Wayne’s family includes five adult children, 18 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren.
Madam President, we were all honored to have you visit our “town” We are here to support you any way we can. Thank you for coming.
