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CHAPLAIN’S CORNER Joanie Dickerson Dept. Chaplain/Music Chairman Ph: 608-996-2152 Email: jomarie@tds.net
Happy Passover and Happy Easter! As I write this, we are enjoying the fi rst warm days of the year. I pray that we will continue to be blessed with sunny days so we can get out and shake out the cobwebs of cabin fever. With the arrival of Spring, may we feel rejuvenated in our efforts to serve our veterans and our communities. I was fortunate to attend the leadership conference at headquarters. The national trainers, Trish Ward and Karen Boehler, were very knowledgeable and provided information about our organization’s strategic plan. One of the focuses is to increase civility among our members and between the “branches” of our Legion family tree. We can look at this as a small step toward greater peace in our world. Every night we hear of unrest in our communities. For all who experience strife, may they fi nd peace and solace in their faith.
AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY “WISCONSIN”
GREETINGS FROM HEADQUARTERS Bonnie Dorniak Executive Secretary/Treasurer Ph: (608) 745-0124 Email: deptsec@amlegionauxwi.org Wisconsin was privileged to host training conducted by the national organization in Portage on Saturday, March 7th. Ninetyfour people from eleven districts attended; 76 individuals completed a survey after the session. Based on the survey results, 72 people (94.7%) thought the training met their expectations and was worth attending. Comments included, “interesting information and well planned presentations,” “very good subject matters,” “interesting, interactive, new points to take home, fun.” In response to what they may do differently as a result of attending this training, the common theme of responses was “listen more to what the other person says” and “stop, look around, and listen more closely to others.” Many people indicated they would like to see more training opportunities like this. Thanks to everyone who participated and made this a success!
Let there be peace on earth And let it begin with me. Let there be peace on earth The peace that was meant to be. With God as our Father Brothers all are we. Let me walk with my brother In perfect harmony. Let peace begin with me Let this be the moment now. With every step I take Let this be my solemn vow. To take each moment and live each moment In peace eternally. Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me. Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me. I am accepting prayers for inclusion in President Teresa Isensee’s prayer book. Please send them in early! My address is found online and in the Red Book. Thank you and God bless!
Auxiliary members are encouraged to attend their district spring conference. This is a great time to learn more about Auxiliary programs, hear what other units in your district have done to support our veterans, thank the district offi cers and chairmen for their hard work during the past year, and provide input as the district makes plans for the year ahead. Please see the conference schedule on page 3 for more information. There is still space available for the 2015 ALA Badger Girls State (ALABGS) session scheduled for June 21-26. Units interested in sponsoring a delegate should contact Carrie Thrasher at department headquarters or their local high school to see if they have eligible junior students who wish to participate. If your local high school does not participate in the Girls State program, units are encouraged to sponsor delegate(s) from another area. Department has a waiting list of young women who would like to attend ALABGS. It is discouraging when we have to turn people away due to lack of funds. 2016 Unit Membership Renewal Notice/
Dues information is being mailed to Unit Presidents at this time. If you do not receive your information within the next week, please contact Andrea Stoltz at department headquarters immediately. Every unit is required to return the information form to department by Friday, May 1, 2015. The minimum amount collected for dues is $20 for senior members and $3 for junior members, but units may charge more to offset costs of unit operations. The national organization is in the process of generating the 2016 membership cards and unit rosters. Only name/address changes and new member applications that were processed at department headquarters by April 1st will be refl ected on the 2016 cards and rosters. The 2016 membership cards will be mailed to units after department convention. Units should contact Andrea Stoltz at department headquarters if they do not receive the 2016 information by August 1st. If the cards are lost after receipt, units will have to pay to have them replaced.
CHILDREN & YOUTH
Danie Wilson, Department Chairman Ph: (920) 452-6907 Email: daniewilson@charter.net PRAYER As members of the American Legion Dear God, we pray to you for people all over Auxiliary, we are committed to honorthe world, for other nations, for other races, for people who think differently and live ing the men and women who have served differently. Help us to respect, understand, or are serving to preserve our Constituand love each other. Let there be no hate tional freedoms, by protecting, caring for, among nations. Forgive all injustice. Let educating and supporting their children and wars end. Let your message be proclaimed youth through Auxiliary programs. We everywhere. Give us peace. In your name believe the sacrifi ces of military children and the ‘suddenly military’ children of the we pray, Amen. deployed Reservist and National Guard members also deserve to be recognized MUSIC This song was fi rst introduced to a group of as heroes. Our ‘Kids of the Deployed are teenagers selected from their high schools to Heroes 2’ (KDH2) program offers a way attend a week-long retreat in California in to visibly show our appreciation with rec1955. The young people were purposefully ognition buttons and stickers. Wearing the from different religious, racial, cultural and ‘Proud Parent of a Military Child’ button is economic backgrounds, brought together to promoting our organization. experiment with creating understanding and The Children of Warriors National Presifriendship through education, discussion dent’s Scholarship provides funds to asgroups, and living and working together in a camp situation. It continues to be performed and recorded by popular artists. Let There Be Peace on Earth by Sy Miller and Jill Jackson
APRIL 2, 2015
Laurel DuBois, Department Chairman Ph: 715-825-3916 Email: sdubois188@aol.com Hello everyone! I hope that you are all well and happy that Spring is right around the corner. It is time to see green grass and the blooming of all our fl owers. The fl owers bring joy and happiness to us and let us know that the season has changed.
sist children of warriors in attaining their higher education goals. Annually, fi fteen outstanding students are selected at the national level and awarded these scholarships. Education is also the emphasis of the ‘Star Spangled Kids’ program. While partnering with our veterans, U.S. History and the importance of the U.S. Constitution come alive as real persons tell their personal stories of service and what patriotism and Americanism means to them. In our communities, we educate adults about the needs of our children and youth and the challenges facing them. Operation Military Kids helps connect youth with local resources to enhance their well being and provide a sense of community support. There are so many ways we brighten the lives of children through our volunteer service. Reading to elementary level students, hosting fun events, providing school supplies for children in need and the list goes
on. When you donate books, magazines and pamphlets, be sure to ‘brand’ them with the Auxiliary insignia and your unit information. The American Legion Auxiliary makes a difference in many ways, in many lives by sponsoring grants for Birth Defect Research for Children; The Children’s Cardiomyopathy Foundation and the Organ Transplant Association just to mention a few. On average, $2M in annual donations to programs benefi tting Children & Youth are attributed to the American Legion Auxiliary. It is important to let everyone know ‘who we are’ and ‘what we do’ for our children and youth, both military and civilian. We really do make a difference! Please mail your narrative reports and pictures of Children and Youth activities to department headquarters by April 15, 2015. Details for reporting are posted on the department website.
POPPY PROGRAM We, the members of the American Legion Auxiliary, are privileged to have a fl ower that blooms every day of the year and that fl ower is our Poppy. Our Poppy allows us to support our veterans, their families and their communities. Through the Poppy Program, we offer poppy contests and provide poppy awards. This program provides information and knowledge to our
TEAM DUSCHECK UPDATE The American Legion Family showed their support for Diane Duscheck, Wisconsin’s endorsed candidate for National President, at the Washington DC Conference held in February. President Teresa Isensee (left) and Commander Bob Shappell (right) are pictured with Diane Duscheck at a reception co-hosted by National C&Y Chairman Diane Duscheck and National VA&R Chairman Mary Davis. Jan Pulvermacher-Ryan, Joyce Endres, Steve Krueger, Ken Rynes, Bob Batty, Russ Hanseter, Ted DeMicchi and John Wolfe also attended the reception. Donations payable to “ALA National Candidate Fundraiser” may be sent to Diana Sirovina, Treasurer of Team Duscheck, 9428 W. Eden Place, Milwaukee, WI 53228.
Auxiliary members and our communities. It is hard to believe that one little fl ower known as the Poppy has supported veterans since 1919 and will continue to support our veterans. Each year, over 350,000 memorial poppies are distributed in Wisconsin as a tribute to deceased veterans of all wars. God Bless You. God Bless America