/usr/web/www.marshallindependent.com/wp-content/themes/coreV2/single.php
×

Serving her community

Being part of the Minneota-Taunton VFW has been important to Pam Gregor in different ways. Now she’s serving as the post’s first woman commander.

Photo by Deb Gau Pam Gregor stood at the head of a line of new officers being installed at the Minneota-Taunton VFW post on Monday evening. Gregor will be the new post commander — and the post’s first woman commander.

MINNEOTA — It was time to welcome new officers at the Minneota-Taunton post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. But as the incoming officers lined up to take the oath Ed Lozinski read to them, there was also something new happening.

At the head of the line at Monday’s ceremony, Pam Gregor was being installed as VFW post commander. Gregor will be the Minneota-Taunton post’s first woman commander.

“I am very honored,” Gregor said, after taking the oath to fulfill the duties of an officer, and accepting the post commander’s gavel. “I will do my best not to let them down.”

Gregor will be the Minneota-Taunton VFW’s first woman post commander since 1960, said post member Fran Sturm. Her term as commander will officially start in June.

Being part of the VFW has been important to Gregor in some personal ways, she said. Gregor, a Minneota resident, has been part of the Minneota-Taunton VFW since 2008, after being deployed with the Army National Guard.

Gregor joined the Marines in 1984, and served four years of active duty. Eighteen years later, she joined the Guard. Part of it, she said, was because her children were going into military service.

“I thought, if my kids can go to war, I can go to war,” Gregor said.

Gregor’s sons Corey, Chris and Paul Gregor, and her daughter Stephanie Christoffels, have all served in the National Guard. Corey and Chris have each been deployed, and Stephanie is going to be deployed, Gregor said.

After coming home from her own deployment in 2007-2008, “I was excited to join the VFW,” she said. Organizations like the VFW help to honor military servicepeople, and members are there to help support fellow veterans.

“You need that,” Gregor said. It’s not easy to serve in a combat zone and then transition back to life as a civilian, she said.

Gregor said support from fellow veterans and community members has been especially important to her over the past several months. Gregor has been recovering after being seriously injured in an auto crash in October.

Gregor was traveling on Minnesota Highway 23 near Richmond, when her vehicle was struck head-on by a Chevy Trailblazer driven by a Willmar man. The Minnesota State Patrol reported that Gregor’s GMC Terrain was pushed over a guardrail, and rolled into the ditch. Four people, including Gregor and her passenger, James Klug, were hurt in the crash, the State Patrol said.

Gregor’s injuries were life-threatening and included broken bones and internal injuries. She said the crash pushed her vehicle’s steering wheel and steering column into her chest.

Gregor was hospitalized after the crash, and she said prayers and support from family and community members meant a lot to her. That included support and visits from her post members.

“These guys came and saw me every time they came to drop off clothes (donations) for the VA,” Gregor said.

Recovering after the crash has meant a lot of hard work and physical therapy. But Gregor’s been making good progress.

“I’m pretty much off all assistive devices,” Gregor said, meaning that she’s back to walking on her own. She’s also back at work as a home based primary care provider. Gregor said she and members of her family have even registered to run in the 2.5-kilometer event in the Women Rock run this spring.

“We’re going to have four generations there,” she said.

Gregor said she can draw on her experiences after the crash when she goes to visit veterans. At Monday’s VFW meeting, Gregor made some suggestions of things that the post could do to help support veterans at VA hospitals or veterans’ homes. They could donate items like clothing or toiletries, or even bring favorite snacks, she suggested.

“You want to stay active in the community,” and to show people you care, Gregor said of being in the VFW. The Minneota-Taunton post organizes bingo events in the community, and offers local scholarships, among other service activities. Helping their community and other veterans is another way VFW members show love for their country, she said.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.38/week.

Subscribe Today