The Durant News

State VFW Names J. D. Delamarre Commander Of VFW Mrs. Pearl Dunn Of Jackson Is Head Of Ladies Auxiliary

J. D. Delamarre of Biloxi, senior vice commander of the Mississippi Veterans of Foreign Wars was elected to department commander at the 19th Annual VFW Encampment which just closed in Jackson.

Pat O'Donnel of Laurel, junior vice commander; was elevated to senior vice commander. In the junior vice commander's race Harold Reeves, sheriff of Newton County, defeated Schooler Williams, state representative of Noxubee county.

Delos H. Burks of Picayune was unopposed for his fifth term as quartermaster and commander elect Delamarre immediately reappointed Mr. Burke as adjutant.

Other officers elected included Dr. A. J. Padeston of Vicksburg as surgeon and the Rev. N. B. Saucier of Biloxi, department chaplain.

Clarence Mitchell of Philadelphia, the retiring department commander, said the encampment was the best attended in the history of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He pointed out the VFW in the past twelve months had added 2,000 members.

Mrs. Pearl Dunn of Jackson was named president of the Ladies Auxiliary and Mrs. Ella Clark of Hattiesburg was named senior vice president. Mrs. Bertha Vinson of Waynesboro was selected junior vice president, and Dorothy Perry of Tunica was reelected treasurer.

The officers elected and the district commander and president were installed. The Ninth District commander Walter H. Sharp, and auxiliary president Mrs. Margaret Diggs were installed at this meeting.

The group voted to hold the 1954 meeting in Vicksburg.

The Otho C. Byrd Post and Auxiliary members attending this meeting were Mr. and Mrs. J. K. Boatwright, G. R. Chennault Mrs. Kathryn Ellison, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Sharp, Mrs. Margaret Diggs and Mrs. E. W. Ellison.