Jane Reape

Jane Reape’s entire adult life has been entwined with the military.

Her late husband, Jim, retired from the Air Force after 22 years of service, so her children grew up as part of the Air Force family. Jane worked at Ft Drum, NY as a civilian employee, retiring after 30 years, as the Budget Officer for the Guthrie Ambulatory Healthcare Clinic there. Her oldest son, Raymond, is an Iraqi Freedom veteran, her youngest son retired from the Air Force after 22 years of service, her granddaughter was commissioned as 2nd Lt in the Air Force last May and her grandson is in his 3rd year at West Point.

If that’s not enough dedication to service, Jane’s brother-in-law, Joe Reape, retired after 20 years in the Navy and her other brother-in-law, Leroy, retired after 20 years in the Army.

In addition to enthusiastic participation in her VFW Auxiliary, Jane belongs to numerous other military associations, is active in her parish, and bowls in two leagues. She enjoys reading, crocheting, knitting, cross-stitching, traveling, cruising … and roller coasters.

Two visits to the National Home were all it took for Jane to adopt our residents into her extended family.

Attending the 2009 National Home orientation as a Department Jr. Vice President, Jane says she was pleased and surprised to see “what a beautiful and safe place it was for families to find refuge, confidence and assistance.” Later, when the renovations were completed on the New York 2 House, Jane, then Department President, and the Department Commander were invited to come for the ribbon cutting. “It just so happened that Santa was making his “official” visit to the Home,” she says now. “What a pleasure it was to accompany Santa and see the joy on the faces of the children and their parents! After those two visits, I fell in love with the VFW National Home.”

Before those visits, Jane says that she “never realized the many ways the VFW National Home helps veterans and their families. I was most surprised that it is not simply a home but a community filled with love and compassion. It is like the small town I grew up in from the beautiful brick homes, chapel and community center to the nursery. I am so proud to contribute in a small way to the work of the VFW National Home.”

And we are proud that Jane has chosen to support our work. Thank you, Jane, for your many contributions and for your entire family’s service to our great nation!