2026 MAY Sunflowerette

SUNFLOWERETTE

APRIL 2026

PLEASE SCROLL ALL THE WAY TO THE BOTTOM FOR MORE INFORMATION!!

President

Greetings American Legion Family,

It has been an informative and enjoyable experience getting to visit and meet new people while attending different district conventions. It has been very encouraging to hear about all the volunteer hours, and work that is being performed by our members in their continuing efforts to support our mission and programs! Even units with 3-5 active members are doing great things and it doesn’t matter how big your unit is to have an impact! Keep it up!

A lot of units are starting to use ALAMIS which is the American Legion Auxiliary Management Information System. It is the online website that can be used to manage member records and leadership information, providing accurate membership data and if you have the proper access, you can process your own unit’s membership with a debit or credit card. There is a form that has to be filled out that is available on our website for units that want to request or upgrade their current access. Please reach out if you need any assistance or have any questions with the form.

If you don’t subscribe to the National E-newsletter, here is a link to it and at the top is a link to sign up. https://myemail.constantcontact.com/An-ALA-sponsored-Honor-Flight--webinars--Project-Ruck-Sack--and-more-.html?soid=1131454348207&aid=HNShD8eZSDw
Poppy Day is coming up and there is a Virtual 5k supporting the program that you can sign-up for. National also tells us about a new partnership with Flags of Valor, a veteran-owned company www.flagsofvalor.com.

The e-newsletter is full of handy information for all members, and everyone is highly encouraged to attend.
Unit Presidents please pass on the Department Convention Information to your members and be sure to get your Unit Billing and Remit to form mailed or emailed to the Dept office May 1^st
Don’t be without your poppies for National Poppy Week in May, get your orders in!
Continue to review your membership roster and don’t forget to report your deceased members.

Hope to see a lot of you at Department Convention this year!

Warmly, and as always For God and Country,

President Anndi Bownes

anndimb@yahoo.com~620-228-4884

Vice President

May - Vice President

The Power of “Thank You” in the American Legion Auxiliary

You got up at 5 a.m. and went to the Legion to make breakfast.

Thank you!

It is 11 p.m., and you are cleaning up after a long night when you helped raise $800 at Bingo.

Thank you!

You took the time to send birthday cards and sympathy cards to fellow Auxiliary members.

Thank you!

You raised funds for the American Legion Auxiliary Emergency Fund, the Child Well-Being Foundation, Poppies, and National Security programs.

Thank you!

The American Legion Auxiliary is often called the backbone of the Legion Family—and for good reason. Auxiliary members quietly support Gold Star families, veterans, and the thousands of active-duty service members currently serving overseas. Behind the scenes, members give their time, compassion, and dedication to strengthen communities and support those who have sacrificed for our nation.

Thank you!

You give your time, energy, resources, and passion to make the Auxiliary a welcoming and meaningful organization. When veterans, service members, their families, or children need help, Auxiliary members step forward with kindness and action. Through countless volunteer hours and community programs, you ensure that no one connected to our military family stands alone.

Thank you!

Programs like American Legion Auxiliary Girls Nation and American Legion Auxiliary Girls State help teach young women about government, leadership, and civic responsibility. These programs inspire future leaders and ensure that the values of service and citizenship continue for generations.

Thank you!

Your fundraising efforts also open doors for students by providing scholarships to colleges, trade schools, and junior colleges—opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach.

Thank you!

And when you place a wreath in honor of a veteran, it may seem like a small gesture—but it carries deep meaning. Speaking a veteran’s name aloud and pausing to remember their service is a powerful reminder of the freedoms we enjoy every day.

Thank you!

Every breakfast served, every fundraiser held, every card sent, every program supported, and every wreath laid represents the heart of the American Legion Auxiliary.

To every Auxiliary member who volunteers, gives, serves, and supports:

Thank you for all that you do.

Dept of Kansas Vice President – Cindy Ward – Email: Cindy.ward2019@outlook.com

Chaplain

Hello American Legion Auxiliary members! May is always such a busy month for everyone, May Day, Mother’s Day, graduations, and the end of the school year for almost all the Kansas school districts.

National Poppy Day is Friday May 22, 2026. We will be out and about in our communities spreading the word about the poppy and collecting donations for veterans! I am excited to see lots of our social media sites flooded with pictures of volunteers handing out poppies across the nation!

How many of you have plans within your local units or districts for Memorial Day. In Chanute we place flags on all the headstones in the area cemeteries to honor our deceased veterans on Saturday prior to Memorial Day. We hold a memorial service at Memorial Park Cemetery for the community on Memorial Day. The service is followed by a free meal at the American Legion post. The service and the meal are open to the public.

The district conventions are concluded, and everyone is gearing up for the 2026 Department Convention being held May 29-31 in Topeka, KS at Ramada Inn. Being part of the discussions and voting during the convention is an excellent way to have an active role in deciding how the American Legion Auxiliary will operate over the next year. I am excited to see the prayer books created by the units and districts across Kansas during the convention. I will have a small gift for each unit and district who bring a prayer book to the convention. I don’t know about all of you, but I really enjoy the networking opportunities the department convention offers as well. I always come back to my local unit with so many new ideas for the upcoming year!

District Chaplains, you will have a part in the memorial service on Sunday during department convention. Please bring a white dress, pantsuit, or white collared shirt with light colored pants for the memorial service. If you are unable to attend the memorial service, reach out to your District President to designate another member to represent your district during the service.

Last but definitely not least, Kansas Cadet Law has extended the deadline to April 30 for participants. The program will be held June 1-6 in Salina at the Kansas Highway Patrol training grounds. The American Legion committee chairman will be starting to reach out to posts and units for scholarship funds to help cover the costs for participants.

God Bless,

Laurie Kerns

Department of Kansas ALA Chaplain

lauriedkerns@gmail.com

(620) 228 - 4277

Historian

What is your Unit doing to celebrate the 250th Birthday of the USA. Americanism is a big part of the Legion Family. July 4th will be here before you know it. What is your community planning and how can you take part, be visible and work our program. Activities do not have to be limited to July 4th. I look forward to seeing and hearing about the variety of celebrations across Kansas.

District pictures are needed. Please email to:

s.wiley160@gmail.com

Keep working on your History book.

Link to National Webpage Historian Resources

Sonia Wiley

Dept. of KS Historian

History Flashback

America’s First Veterans

April 19th marks the day the first shots of the Revolutionary War were fired at Lexington, Massachusetts. Making this the 251st anniversary of the events that started the war on April 19,1775. The 2nd Continental Congress voted in June 1775 to create a Continental Army led by George Washington. King George III declared the colonies in a state of rebellion in August 1775. The Lee Resolution was passed by the 2nd Continental Congress on July 2, 1776 resolving the 13 colonies were not part of the British Empire. July 4, 1776 the Declaration of Independence was formally signed and adopted unanimously by the 2nd Continental Congress in Philadelphia, PA. The War ended on September 3, 1783 with the signing of the Treaty of Paris sending soldiers home and creating America’s first veterans.

If you are a Department Officer or Chairman and would like to submit something for the Sunflowerette,

Please send it to me by the end of the 20th of each month.

Thank you so much!

Kristy Ehart- Newsletter Chairman

📧 klehart07@gmail.com

2025-2026 Membership

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