05/22/2026
Mishicot VFW: History of Post 7753
The first officers of the new Kempen-Staudinger-Terens Post #7753, Veterans of Foreign Wars, at Mishicot, Wisconsin were installed on August 4, 1946. The Noble-Strauble Post 2037 of Green Bay conducted this first installation of officers.
Thirty-seven charter members witnessed the swearing-in of Ralph Dvorak as the first Commander.
The first meetings were held in the Mishicot Town Hall (now the MAGIC Museum building), on the second and fourth Mondays of each month.
Charter members frequently reminisce about these.“good old days” when the floor needed a thorough cleaning, or the stove wouldn’t work, or when someone forgot to bring wood.
On Memorial Day 1947, the Mishicot post conducted its first Memorial Day services, which consisted of a short parade, followed by an address by Commander Sherman Nimmer, a salute by the firing squad, and the playing of Taps. The post in that year also initiated the tradition of visiting seven area cemeteries for Memorial services.
On October 11, 1952, the post purchased the land on which the VFW Club House building stands. This property was formerly known as Specht’s Park. The post’s original building consisted of a 24 x 32foot basement, which became the downstairs barroom. This original building and all future additions to it were built by member volunteers.
In September 1955, a 36-foot addition to the basement was built. During the winter, due to thawing snow and heavy rains, the wall collapsed, but spirit and comradeship came to the rescue, and the wall was rebuilt.
Late in the fall of 1957, members began work on the building proper. Because it was late in the season, everyone worked hard and fast, and in just three weekends the building was closed in to the weather. The inside work was completed during the winter months.
In 1961 the last building addition was completed. It consists of the barroom, bathroom facilities, a kitchen, and a storeroom. This addition was dedicated on August 26, 1962. It is dedicated as a “MEMORIAL HOME TO THOSE OF OUR COMMUNITY WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR OUR COUNTRY.”
In 1975 the Roman Kronforst Scholarship Fund was established to provide college scholarships to sons or daughters of VFW members.
Over the years, the success of any organization can be attributed to its leaders. Mishicot members have served not only the local post, but have been active on the county, district, and state levels as well. Members who have served in these capacities are:
Eighth District Commanders: Leo Kostechka, Fred Stueck. Eighth District Quartermaster: Roland Dvorak. County Council Commanders: Leo Kostechka, Fred Stueck, Roland Dvorak, John Benthien. Department Youth Director: Leo Kostechka. Department Americanism Chairman: Fred Stueck.
An Auxiliary of the VFW Kempen-Staudinger-Terens Post 7753, Mishicot, was organized February 21,1950. In 1973 the Auxiliary published a cookbook, “From Our Kitchen to Yours,” which also included a brief history of the organization:
At the opening meeting in 1950 at Mishicot, Mrs. Ann Balza of Green Bay, 8th District President, presided. Members of the Eleven Gold Star Post 1248 Auxiliary from Two Rivers did the floor work at this opening meeting.
Thirty-six members signed the Charter. Seven of these were transferred from Eleven Gold Star Auxiliary, and twenty-nine were new members to be installed. Mrs. Elaine Kaufmann was elected the first president of the Mishicot Auxiliary.
One of the first projects which the new auxiliary voted on was to sponsor the Girl Scouts. Auxiliary meetings were held at the Mishicot Opera House (now the Century Inn) on Main Street, and later at the Town House.
On January 19, 1953, the Auxiliary held its first meeting at the new Mishicot VFW Club House. Through the years, the regular meeting date has been the second Monday of each month.
