The Wagner American Legion Auxiliary is proud to announce that Wagner’s Unit Member of the Year is Barb Kucera. Barb is a 25year member of the auxiliary. Barb’s eligibility for auxiliary membership comes from her husband, Bob, who is a Veteran of the United States Air Force. Throughout her 25 years of membership, Barb has been a very active member of the Wagner American Legion Auxiliary. She has been a part of organizing and participating in the annual cleaning day of the Legion Hall’s kitchen. Barb runs the bake sale part of the annual Soup and Sandwich Luncheon fundraiser. She has been instrumental in the expansion of the unit’s membership. Anyone who knows Barb, knows how dedicated she is when it comes to talking about all three (American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary and the Sons of the Legion) of the Legion’s organizations as well as trying to get members to join to continue the organizations’ legacies in Wagner.

Not only is she instrumental in the auxiliary, but she assists the American Legion by keeping the rental schedule of the American Legion hall as well as the paperwork involved in the rentals. She also volunteers for several shifts for the Legion’s Labor Day stand; helps served brats during the summer grilling fundraiser; helps put up and take down the flags in the park for holidays; sells Legion Sweepstakes tickets, visits Veterans in the nursing home, assists several months in the kitchen preparing the monthly pre-meeting suppers; and aids Commander Rados in the planning of the Memorial Day lunch after the service. Barb is known to be one of the first to arrive to prepare for a Legion or auxiliary event and one of the last ones to leave as she is always involved in the clean-up. She takes care of making the coffee and freezing the ice. Some of the other activities that Barb has been a part of include delivering Dictionaries to Wagner and Marty students; assembling care packages; cooking and serving at the Wagner community Fellowship Feast; distributing poppies; representing the auxiliary at the Farm, Home and Garden show; and has brought and continues to bring countless desserts and salads to Legion and auxiliary events.

The Wagner American Legion Auxiliary is truly lucky to have such a dedicated and devoted member of their organization. Barb is very deserving of receiving this honor and title. As she has been awarded this title at the local level, she will now to be moving on to Districts where she could be awarded the title of District Member of the Year.

Congratulations Barb!