March is Women’s History Month and it is no different for Maurice T. Suttles VFW Post 3413 Auxiliary.
Promoting patriotism and helping veterans in need are just two of the many ways that the Auxiliary serves America’s communities. Our organization has been supporting our nation’s veterans since 1914 and locally since 1937.
The Auxiliary is the backbone of VFW volunteer efforts. Our organization volunteers in VA Medical Centers, hospitals, nursing homes and veterans’ homes. We contact legislators to pass or block important bills, raise money for scholarships, support cancer research, work with youth and distribute American flags.
Maurice T. Suttles was born in Hempstead, Waller County, on Oct. 20, 1897. Maurice T. Suttles enlisted in the U.S. Marines on May 20, 1917 and was in the Expeditionary Forces.
Private Suttles was killed in action on June 6, 1918 during a fierce battle at Belleau Wood, France. Suttles was the first San Marcos man killed in World War I. He was 20 years old when he was killed in action, and was the son of Thomas E. Suttles a business owner in San Marcos.
The VFW Post 3413 members met at Suttles Hardware store. The land and building known as the River House was donated to the VFW as a Veterans Center. Sometime in the 1970s, the land was sold and proceeds split between the VFW, American Legion and G.I. Forum and each bought the land where they are located today.
The building where the present VFW is was donated by Butler Buildings in 1977.
Maurice T. Suttles VFW Post 3413 was chartered on Dec. 5, 1935. Eddie Dedke was the first commander of Post 3413 in 1935 to 1938.
The Ladies Auxiliary was chartered on Nov. 26, 1937 with Lottie Gary as the first president. VFW passed a resolution to amend their national bylaws at their 116th National Convention in Pittsburgh, allowing male spouses and family members to join the VFW Auxiliary effective Aug. 21, 2015. It changed the name of the Ladies Auxiliary to VFW Auxiliary to allow the spouses and eligible male relatives to join the VFW Auxiliary. Therefore, it was re-chartered on Aug. 21, 2015.
Maurice T. Suttles VFW Post is located at 1701 Hunter Rd, San Marcos. Past commanders come in early on Friday morning to cook breakfast for all their comrades, guests, and anyone else who comes in.
The VFW and Auxiliary meet on the third Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. There is a pot luck before the meeting.
The VFW and Auxiliary participate in many community events. On the Saturday before Memorial Day you will see VFW and Auxiliary members at the local Sam’s Club, Lowes, Tractor Supply, and this last year VF Factory Outlets asked the VFW and Auxiliary to pass out Buddy Poppies. The Buddy Poppy is the VFW’s official memorial flower; the poppy represents the blood shed by American service members.
It means that VFW will not forget their sacrifices. It was inspired by the WWI poem “In Flanders Field.” The first lines of the poem tell about the many poppies that grew in the battle fields after WWI. On May 29 at 10 a.m. you will see the VFW and Auxiliary passing out Buddy Poppies at the Veterans Memorial for the Ceremony.
On Veterans Day the VFW and Auxiliary will have a float in the Veterans Day Parade. They will be passing out buddy poppies or flags to the crowd along the side.
