Fallbrook VFW Post 1924 honors volunteer for 59 years of service

Fallbrook VFW Post 1924 gave a fond farewell to Freda Shade on Nov. 5, honoring her for nearly 60 years of volunteering at the post.

The band HH City Rockers performed country at Shade’s request, and the veterans and their families came together to celebrate Shade’s hard work with a celebratory dinner. The special event commemorated Shade’s 59 years of service in which she greeted countless veterans, veterans’ spouses, and their children at weekly post events.

“[Shade] worked here behind the scenes, so many were not aware of her hard work,” said Anne Richter, secretary of the post’s auxiliary, who said that Shade is dedicated to service, not simply at the VFW, but in whatever way possible. “She’s so amazing and so dedicated. She would haul out chairs and decorate all on her own, or would wash dishes.”

Shade says her health is what is causing her to cut back on volunteering.

“My knees are making it so I can’t move around so speedily,” she said. “I’ll still be around for the Friday night dinners and the breakfasts. They haven’t got rid of me yet.”

“I’ve been here for 15 years, and she’s always here,” said Ken Etherton, post commander. “I might be the commander, but she’s the boss. She doesn’t know it yet, but we are going to give her a coupon that will allow her to eat at the VFW free for the rest of her life.”

“She was very involved with the preparation of the meals, table setting, and dishwashing, and knew where everything was found in the VFW,” said Phyllis Wagner, a VFW member. “She was so faithful, it’s almost like she’s a fixture at the post. She welcomed all.”

Shade arrived in Fallbrook from Cut Bank, Montana, with her husband Charles William Shade, a World War II Army veteran. The couple had six children, and when William died, Shade was required to raise the last three of her children by herself. During that time, Shade has seen both the VFW post and Fallbrook transform.

“I’ve seen [the town and post] build up,” she said. “Just like all things, we have had good times and bad times.”

Charles would have been 107 years old if he were still alive, and he would have seen all six of his children surrounding his wife at her special event.

Some of the Shade children attending the event came from Texas, and some showed up wearing Day of the Dead garb. Their attendance was truly a testament to their love and dedication to their mother.

“They’ve pulled this kind of stuff before, so I wasn’t completely surprised that they all came,” said Shade.

Others that came to honor Shade included people from the Fallbrook Senior Center, where she also volunteers, and members of the Free Spirit Club, which she has been a part of for years.

“I have helped at the Senior Center thrift store, and have helped collect Major Market receipts for them," said Shade. "I also put out the birthday table at the center. I’m not one to travel since I don’t drive, but I still go play bingo there once a week.”

Every Saturday morning, the Free Spirit Club has met at the VFW for breakfast to talk about how things have transformed in both Fallbrook and the town.

“All the ladies in the club are exceptional, and have their lives in order," said club member Rose Jurosky. "The youngest member is about 85, and we all still live in our homes and still drive our cars.”

Jurosky has known Shade for eight years.

“[Shade] is a Fallbrook history expert," said Jurosky. "I have been here 16 years and am still learning about the town. I can go to her and ask her questions and she will tell you about it."

Although she appreciated being honored, Shade said these years of service are a way to honor her husband.

“I’m just carrying on where my husband left off,” said Shade. “When he served in the VFW, he would take six chairs that were falling apart and make a new one, since carpentry was his trade. He’s been gone 40 years next year, and when I’m <at the VFW>, it’s like he’s here.”

That doesn’t mean that Shade isn’t proud of herself and her hard work. The VFW sent out an email to other VFW posts around the country, applauding Shade for her years of service, and sought to find anyone who had served for longer than she had.

“We haven’t heard back yet, so I think that means there’s no one else who’s served as long as I have,” she said.