MEMBERSPOTLIGHT TAYLOR MCDADE


Auxiliary 7383, Cary, North Carolina


ELIGIBILITY: Taylor is eligible through her grandfather, Hugh Bannard, a World War II veteran.


“He’s the reason I’m involved in the Auxiliary,” Taylor said of her grandfather. She grew up listening to stories of his service in North Africa and Italy and is now making sure her son has similar inspiring experiences. Three-year-old Brayden participated in a Buddy Poppy awareness event at a Cary restaurant Taylor organized recently. “A lot of young adults came into the cafe having no idea what Buddy Poppies were about, and they left with a better understanding,” she said. As Buddy Poppy Chairman this year, Taylor is certain to bring the same enthusiasm with which she led her Auxiliary to implement a Cancer Aid & Research Walk when she was Program Chairman.


“It was a lot of work, especially the fi rst year, but it was well worth it,” she said. “It’s a good cause, and so many families are affected by it.”


Pictured at a Buddy Poppy event are Taylor’s mother, Amy Sullivan; her grandmother, Phyllis Bannard; Cafe Carolina Manager Sam Rule; Taylor (kneeling) and son Brayden.


MYVETERAN REGINA BALDWIN Auxiliary 696, Owensboro, Kentucky


My hero, and one of my favorite veterans, is my “baby boy,” Michael Kevin Baldwin. He had two trips to Iraq and a year in Afghanistan. He was a combat medic in Iraq, and when he went to Afghanistan, he was a fl ight medic on a helicopter. I am so very proud of the man he has become!!!


Spec. Michael K. Baldwin is fl anked with his parents, Regina Baldwin and Mike W. Baldwin.


He served eight years with the Army and decided it was time to do something different. He is currently driving a truck and also is taking online classes in criminal justice to be a Kentucky State Trooper. He is a member of our local VFW Post 696. He has two children, Mikey and Abby. They are the light of his life!!! I’ll stop here, because if I keep going on about My Hero, I’ll end up writing a book!!! I know I sound like one very happy and proud Momma...that is because... I AM!!! Thanks for letting me brag about “my baby boy!!!”


6 | Ladies Auxiliary VFW Magazine


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