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Throughout the country, various veterans' groups help to keep alive the importance of honoring and remembering those who have fought and continue to fight for the United States.

Lending credence to the adage that behind every successful man there is a good woman, the veterans' groups, made up mostly of men, are supported in this effort in many cases by women's auxiliary groups.

In fact, within The Sun Chronicle readership area, there is a Disabled American Veterans auxiliary, two Veterans of Foreign Wars auxiliaries and eight American Legion auxiliaries.

The Disabled Americans Veterans Auxiliary Unit 56, which is the auxiliary group of DAV Chapter 56, covers every town within The Sun Chronicle readership area and beyond, and places great emphasis on supporting special veterans' events, such as the upcoming Memorial Day events.

`` We as a DAV auxiliary unit feel it's very important to remember our veterans every day,'' said Barbara DeLuca of Franklin, commander of DAV Unit 56. `` But, on Memorial Day, we remember that warfare has claimed the lives of more than a million and a quarter young Americans in uniform. On this day, we gather to honor those who stood up to the terrible trials of war and met the challenge in the defense of liberty,'' she said.

`` In particular, today, we pay our tribute to the heroism of those who died in our nation's wars advancing the cause of peace and freedom. We hold these men and women in our hearts as we observe Memorial Day.''

In support of local Memorial Day observances, members of DAV Unit 56 work with DAV Chapter 56 to sell forget-me-not flowers in the same way that American Legions and Veterans of Foreign Wars groups sell poppies.

Members of the DAV auxiliary also help the DAV chapter in assembling its parade float for entry in the North Attleboro, South Attleboro and Attleboro Memorial Day parades and march in the parades as well.

Toward its own purpose, the DAV auxiliary also supports the chapter in much the same way for the Veterans Day parades and with numerous activities held for or in support of the veterans at the Brockton Veterans Administration hospital.

That purpose, according to Fran Costa, adjutant of DAV Unit 56, as well as past unit commander and past state commander, is devoted to the cause of improving and advancing the condition of health and interests of wounded, injured or disabled, as well as their families.

`` We don't want to see any veteran lost along the wayside,'' Costa said.

Within the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8049 Auxiliary in Norton, Auxiliary President Barbara Pelletier agrees with DeLuca about the importance of supporting veterans' holiday events.

`` You've got to honor these guys that have been out there and gave their lives,'' Pelletier said. `` You have to keep up the tradition. You just can't let something like that go. It's all about pride that they're out there. Some of these poor men can hardly walk and they're still going in the parade. It's just an honor to them, really, and there's really not that many veterans left anymore.''

During both Memorial Day and Veterans Day, Pelletier says members of the VFW auxiliary have for many years supported VFW Post 8049 by selling poppies and serving refreshments after each parade. The auxiliary also supports the VFW in many ways during the year, such as by holding various raffles to raise money for donations to veterans in the Veterans Administration hospital, community causes and improvements to the post facility.

In addition, Pelletier says the auxiliary hold a monthly meat raffle on its own about nine times a year, which goes to support cancer aid and research through the state auxiliary.

Many members of the auxiliary, according to Pelletier, also devote a great deal of time to helping elderly residents as well, such as Norton resident Alda Dufresne, who has been a member of the auxiliary for 53 years. Her sister Angelina Zupanick of Foxboro has been a member of the auxiliary, according to Dufresne, since about the time it began, nearly 65 years ago.

`` I just like being a part of helping and being nice to people,'' Dufresne says of her community support. `` I go out and deliver flowers for the auxiliary to the shut-ins and call them, and I really like being with people and doing things for people.''

When it comes to supporting veterans and their events, the local American Legion auxiliaries are right behind their American Legion posts as well, selling poppies, marching in parades and doing whatever is needed of them.

In addition, they organize various efforts during the year to support the veterans at the VA Hospital, such as providing Christmas gifts, organizing ward parties and collecting items for baby layettes.

The various American Legion auxiliaries also support a variety of community causes, such as providing scholarships and donating to fight diseases, such as Cystic Fibrosis.

rdrtrdrsrdrw15rsp160 Janette Sears can be reached by phone or fax at 508-222-2442 or by e-mail at jsears(at)(at)thesunchronicle.com.