As the Italian American Veterans Post 1 Ladies Auxiliary prepares to celebrate its 60th anniversary of being chartered, 87-year-old Darlene Bruno has a lot to reminisce on. Bruno is the only active member of the group that has been there since before the group was chartered. Over the years, she has witnessed it grow from meetings in members’ houses to the beloved veterans organization it is today.

Bruno said she had not told anyone that she was there from the beginning, but as currently Ladies Auxiliary President Bambi Dillon found the organization's charter behind a file cabinet, she recognized a familiar name. "I was shocked," Dillon said with a laugh. "I was surprised because of how young she looks."