New National Guard Is a Member’s Member
of the Auxiliary. So many wonderful ladies made me feel welcome and accepted.” A Life Member of Renner-Lobker
Auxiliary 3306, her dedication to the organization led to many local, state and national roles including Auxiliary, District and State President – earning Outstanding President of the Year at this level – and Director for the Voice of Democracy/ Patriot’s Pen and Americanism/Patriotic Instructor programs. At each step along the way, Onstwedder
said, it was fellow members who inspired her. “My passion comes across to the
National Guard Sandra Onstwedder pictured with her two daughters, Angie Baker and Kerisa Arnold.
S
andra Onstwedder and her husband, Charles, live in a spacious log home in rural Michigan, where their closest
neighbors are deer, geese and the occasional bear. But before settling in to the wilderness,
this Michigan native and new VFW Auxiliary National Guard left her home state for adventures near and far in Texas, the Midwest, Washington and Europe. She spent 35 years in public education as a remedial reading instructor, retiring in 2013 only to take on a new role of Reading Corps literacy volunteer tutor. During her fi rst year with the program, she helped increase school reading scores by nearly 50 percent. For most of her life, no matter where she
lived, Onstwedder has been actively involved with the Auxiliary and VFW, joining the Auxiliary on the eligibility of her brother, Larry, who served in the U.S. Navy. She was elected as the VFW Auxiliary National Guard in July. “When I was young my parents were very
involved in the local VFW,” she said. “T at meant we as children were involved also. When I joined I was the youngest member
16 | VFW Auxiliary Magazine
Auxiliary members and they can identify with me because I am their equal,” she said. “A good friend told me I needed to step back and stop saying God has brought me to this service. I am telling you that He did. I believe I have much more to give in the name of veterans.” For now, Onstwedder said, she is
looking forward to learning as much as she can from fellow National Offi cers. Tapping into their knowledge, she said, “will better help me to answer the questions of hard- working Auxiliary members, which is my personal goal through these offi ces.” She is also excited about the organization’s
new status as the VFW Auxiliary. “I have personally been proud of our
rich history and the foundation already fi rmly planted,” Onstwedder said. “Now we have the opportunity to grow as an organization. I believe every member who joins needs to know how very much their membership means to us. If that is made clear to them from the beginning, they too will become lifetime active members. And I think the numbers will make a diff erence in our voices being heard in Washington, D.C. So in a nutshell, I hope I am able to learn the skills to be the best vocal advocate for our veterans, their families and our members in this great organization.” AC
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