Dorothy Gouine is a member of several veteran auxiliaries.
She was born in Shawano, graduating from Shawano High School. She worked at F.W. Woolworth, L&L, Eagleknit and Little Rapids. Then Dorothy went with her husband, Larry, who was in the Army, to Germany for 5½ years. Larry, who was from Detroit, was a Vietnam vet who served for 23 years; 15 years in the Army and then the Reserves. They were married 42 years before his death five years ago. They have one child, one grandchild and two great-grandchildren.
Gouine lives in Shawano, where she makes crafts and collects Packers paraphernalia. She also has a large collection of bar chips from all over the state.
She has organized a dance on May 2 to raise funds for the Wisconsin AMVETS Auxiliary.
Q What organizations do you belong to?
A “I am a life member of AMVETS Auxiliary Post 10, a life member of the Vietnam Veterans Auxiliary 206 and a life member of the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary 22.”
Q How do you help?
A “I try to help all of them. I help at the brat fry at the Red Barn for AMVETS. I was president for six years of the AMVETS Auxiliary and am now second vice president. I always took care of the meat raffles. I send out get well cards. I help make items for the bake sales. I attended state convention for the AMVETS Auxiliary and was the chaplain for the district. I am the current chaplain for the local DAV and help when they have their forget-me-not sales. Right now I am the ways and means chairman for the state AMVETS Auxiliary. Ten years ago, I started the Hug-A-Vet campaign. I go up to a vet and I shake their hand or ask if I can hug them. I shook the hand of a Windtalker from Menominee.”
Q Why do you volunteer?
A “To pass my time. It’s always nice to meet different people. I love going to the rest homes to see the veterans. I do it to see their satisfaction on the veterans’ faces. My dad couldn’t go in service. I tried, but I got talked out of it. I got all kinds of time.”
Q How did you come up with the dance?
A “I like the oldies. We are doing it to raise money for the state of Wisconsin AMVETS Auxiliary.”
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