A high-ranking member of the National VFW Auxiliary was in Knoxville Thursday. National VFW Auxiliary Jr. Vice President Carla Martinez says she’s touring local posts as part of her duties in preparation for a statewide conference this weekend.

“I’m here to be the representative for the department president this weekend for their fall conference. They get together to discuss things that are going on, the programs that are out there. We help give them some mentoring and explain the programs going on for the auxiliary.”

Martinez currently lives in Utah, and travels the country for these conferences and to visit VFW locations. During her trip to Knoxville, Martinez enjoyed a meal at the Knoxville VFW post where she visited with local residents. She also visited the Marion County freedom rock and the courthouse.