The National Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary President Peggy Haake visited Great Bend VFW Post 3111 Saturday morning as she continued a 50-state tour. Kansas was the 23rd state she had visited since Aug. 4.

Haake is from Hawaii and she said her theme for the year is “Serving veterans with Aloha.”

“Aloha is more than ‘hello’ and ‘goodbye,’” she said. “It means a lot of things – love, kindness, caring and helpful.”

Haake explains her mission further in the VFW Auxiliary Magazine:

“Having grown up with veterans and having always lived around veterans, they are in my heart forever. ... We as the VFW Auxiliary should always be there for them because that is why we are here.” She said “serving with aloha” is supporting veterans and each other with generous giving that comes from the heart. “(VFW Auxiliary) is a volunteer organization and what you do as a member is from your heart.”

Great Bend VFW and Auxiliary members sent Haake on her way to Larned and other stops in Kansas with a plaque and gifts from the post.