Join us for ALA Mission Training and national Junior meetings

‼️DEADLINE ALERT‼️Friday, Oct. 14, is the housing deadline for ALA Mission Training 101 in Baltimore and Minneapolis — register today to reserve your spot. After Oct. 14, hotel space will not be available. 

Would you like to learn more about working the American Legion Auxiliary mission? Looking to network with national ALA leaders and other members in your area who share your passion and enthusiasm for helping veterans? 

In a 1-day Mission Training 101 conference, you’ll be inspired while learning more about working the ALA’s core programs in an interactive and fun environment. Many American Legion Auxiliary mission outreach programs will be covered during this event.

Is Mission Training 101 right for you?

   ✅ I’ve never attended a Mission Training event and I’m interested in meeting ALA members and national leaders outside of my local area who share my passion for helping veterans. 

   ✅ I want to share great ideas with other members across the country and renew my enthusiasm for our mission. 

   ✅ I find myself growing more involved and don’t know where to turn for the information I need, or I have been doing the same activities for years and I want a fresh approach. 

Register today!

‼️National Junior meetings will be held at the same time and in the same city as Mission Training events. ‼️

Junior members who have celebrated their 8th birthday or older may attend the national Junior meetings. Many activities will be taking place that are fun and interactive. We hope that by bringing these meetings closer to our Juniors, many more will be able to attend the one-day events over a weekend.

Is a national Junior meeting right for your Junior?

     ✅Yes — if they are interested in meeting other Junior members and national leaders outside of their local area who share their passion for helping veterans!

     ✅Yes — if they want to share great ideas with other Junior members across the country and learn more about what it means to be a member of the American Legion Auxiliary!

Register today!

Nomination forms now online

Part of the ALA Children & Youth Program, these awards are presented throughout the year to recognize the heroism and helpfulness of youths under age 18. Youth Hero Awards are given to those who demonstrate a physical act of valor. Good Deed Awards are presented to those who donate time and/or money for a worthy cause. Read more about award criteria and complete an online nomination form. 

New patches available for our younger members 

Participating in the ALA Patch Program is a terrific way for Junior members to be involved in learning about the Auxiliary and our American Legion Family, volunteering in the community, and serving our country’s veterans.

Two new patches are available:

• Digital Media for Red Level 1 K-3
• VCAF donations for all levels

Junior members of the American Legion Auxiliary, as well as school-aged Sons of The American Legion members who often work alongside Juniors, may earn patches for activities in ALA programs.

Log in to learn more.

An ALA Halloween treat

Order or download your ALA Halloween coloring books! These easy-to-use publications are a great way to spread awareness of the ALA and our important mission to families in your community while also giving Halloween treats to kids!

Give the gift of financial relief

More than 6,500 Auxiliary members have benefited from the Auxiliary Emergency Fund since it was established in 1969. Those grant recipients have endured significant financial hardship, a disaster that left them with little to nothing, or both. The Auxiliary Emergency Fund exists to help these men and women get back on their feet after experiencing a crisis. 

The Auxiliary Emergency Fund is a way for you to give a gift to directly support your ALA acquaintances and friends. Your gift to AEF helps keep someone’s lights on, food on their table, and clothing on their backs. Your gift offers a helping hand until financial stability is re-established. Please consider helping your fellow ALA members by making a gift to AEF today. 

ALA celebrates 25^th anniversary of Military Women’s Memorial

The Military Women’s Memorial (formerly the Women in Military Service for America Memorial) at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C., is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Special events will be held Oct. 14-16 to mark the milestone.

The American Legion Auxiliary has a special tie to the memorial. With donations from ALA members, the Auxiliary sponsored one of the 14 alcoves that are part of the education center at the memorial. The ALA was represented at the groundbreaking by ALA National Vice President Syble Deshotel (1993-1994, later serving as national president 1995-1996) and Past National President Helen Holcomb (1993-1994). 

A ceremonial shovel, used by ALA national leadership participating in the groundbreaking, is on display in the Cavalcade of Memories museum at American Legion Auxiliary National Headquarters in Indianapolis. 

The Military Women’s Memorial honors the service and legacy of the 3 million women who have served in the Armed Forces beginning with the Revolutionary War. It is the only historical repository documenting the service of military women and features an education center, interactive exhibitions, a collection of military women’s stories, and hosts programs and events for all generations.  

Learn more about the memorial and anniversary events. 

Honor our nation’s heroes Nov. 11

Veterans Day is Friday, Nov. 11. We want to hear from you — email us how you plan to honor our heroes. 

Did you know that Veterans Day was originally called Armistice Day? President Dwight D. Eisenhower changed the name in 1954.

Are you interested in serving on an ALA national committee? The application process will be open from Nov. 1 to Dec. 15. Keep an eye on our social media and the November issue of ALA eNews for information on how to apply. 

Learn about branding The American Legion Family with a fun game. There are two versions available. The senior member version includes 22 logos of well-known companies/organization brands, while the Juniors/Sons version has 22 logos but with brands that appeal to a younger target audience. Download the documents to play. Everyone walks away from this game as winners!

Easier-to-print American Legion Family membership applications are available. These simpler versions can be printed from your home office — and without stealing all of your ink! We removed the color block headers from the original brochure (which you can still order from your department/state ALA office if you prefer) to make things easier for your membership recruiting activities. Click here to download this black-and-white version. 

Do you know that Amazon Prime gives back to nonprofit organizations through AmazonSmile? If you shop Amazon, use this special link and select the American Legion Auxiliary. Amazon will donate a portion of every purchase you make to the ALA Foundation.

Caregiver series: Amy Kniffin

Taking proper care of mementos

American Legion Auxiliary member and caregiver Amy Kniffin lost her Navy veteran father in February 2020.

Although she helped her dad with her grandmother while he was sick, for the next two years, she became the sole caregiver for her 100-year-old grandmother, Dorlisca.

“Take care of yourself because you can’t give if there’s nothing to give,” Kniffin said.

When asked about the importance of preserving audio-visual (A/V) items, Cathi Taylor, archivist at ALA National Headquarters, says these materials go beyond the written word. “Being able to watch and hear President Franklin Roosevelt tell the country the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself — or Martin Luther King Jr.’s speech at the Lincoln Memorial in 1963 — is far better than just reading the words,” said Taylor. “These materials are like time travelers.”  

Look your best with Lands’ End

Looking for a closet refresh? Well, look no further! Lands’ End Business is your one-stop shop for high quality men’s and women’s clothing and merchandise that can be branded with the ALA emblem. ALA members can shop in a custom storefront found here: https://business.landsend.com/store/ala/   

Everything in this custom ALA store is made to last and designed to keep you comfortable and looking your best all day long. If you are not satisfied with any item, even after an ALA emblem has been added, simply return it at any time. 

Lands’ End offers weekly promotions and discounts, so be sure to take advantage of their sales and discount codes. 

October 13 – U.S. Navy birthday 

October 31 – Halloween 

November 5 – ALA Mission Training in Minneapolis

November 5 – ALA Mission Training in Baltimore

November 6 – Daylight Saving Time ends: turn your clock back! 

November 8 – Election Day 

November 10 – American Legion Auxiliary’s 103rd birthday 

November 10 – U.S. Marine Corps birthday

November 11 – Veterans Day (ALANHQ offices and most department offices closed) 

“Every name on a wall, on a memorial — every name that is listed everywhere — has a mom and family. All the freedoms we hold dear are because of those who signed on the dotted line.”

— Jo Maitland, 2021-2022 American Gold Star Mothers National President and American Legion Auxiliary member

You can support The American Legion’s legislative priorities by visiting the Grassroots Action Center. There you can compose a message that will be sent to your congressional representatives. 

Current campaigns:

• Tell your senators to pass the STRONG Veterans Act
• Tell Congress: pass the Afghan Adjustment Act
• Tell Congress to support the Veterans Service Recognition Act
• Support our disabled veterans by passing the Major Richard Star Act
• Open the VA to all World War II veterans
• Take action: demand the GI Bill for Reserve and National Guard
• Share The American Legion’s 2022 legislative priorities with your member of Congress