Susan Parrish, President
Department of Illinois
HI I am Susan Parrish, Department of Illinois President
I am from Alton, IL, now living in Godfrey, IL. I joined the VFW under the eligibility of my Father, Thomas Lyons, and a WWII POW. It was his dying wish that my sister and I joined the VFW Auxiliary, my sister now being a joiner and me being one…here I am. I have three brothers who were all Viet Nam Veteran’s. Ed, retired Army, is deceased and is buried at Jefferson Barracks. Toby was in the Marines and now lives in Illinois after 35 years in Arizona. And then there is Larry, he was in the Army and still resides in Arizona. All of my Uncles were in the Military. I think we covered all Branches. I met my Husband Wendel, a retired Army Viet Nam Veteran, at the VFW. We got engaged at Post 1308 as well as married there in blue jeans and Commander Charlie Brimm’s shirts.
I have one son Robert, who has blessed me with two wonderful grandchildren, Tommy age 14 and Crystal who will be 2 in September. I also have 4 step grandchildren, Robert – 22, Joey- 18, Matthew – 16 and Sammy -7.
I am a Life Member of Alton Auxiliary 1308 alone with my Mother Dorothy Lyons age 92. I have been President 3 times and I am the Past District President for the 12th District. I have held various positions on both levels.
I am a 1974 Graduate of Alton Senior High School as well as a 1976 Graduate of Missouri School for Doctors Assistants. I have worked at Alton K-Mart in the Automotive Department as a bookkeeper when they first opened, Intaglio Designs where I started as Receptionist and worked my way up to Purchasing Agent and Madison County Urban League where I was the receptionist, I also assisted with Accounts Payable and taught the First Time Home Buyers Course and the list going on. Deciding to become a housewife was short lived and I now am a bartender and help Becky in the officer at Alton VFW Post 1308.
