September 2021 eNews & eBulletin |
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A Community of Volunteers Serving Veterans, Military, and their Families |
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Saturday marks the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Take time on this National Day of Service and Remembrance to remember those lost, and honor those who defend our freedom.
Also tune into The American Legion Tango Alpha Lima podcast. Since Aug. 16, the podcast has released an episode each weekday focused on memorable stories in remembrance of the 20th anniversary of 9/11.
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Meet the new American Legion Family leadership |
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The 2021-2022 administrative year is in full swing! New national leaders were elected during National Convention. Kathy Daudistel of Kentucky was installed as ALA national president, Paul E. Dillard, Texas, was elected national commander of The American Legion, and Michael Fox, California, was elected Sons of The American Legion national commander. You can read more about each of the leaders in our November issue of Auxiliary. |
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#AuxCon21 celebration culminates with focus on ALA future |
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The ALA celebrated its 100th National Convention in Phoenix and the organization is now focused on the future as we continue to serve our veterans, military, and their families. Re-live or view general sessions and other activities on our livestream archives , read about award winners, and learn more about the 2021-2022 national officers at www.ALAforVeterans.org. View photos from Phoenix on our Facebook page. Plus, our November issue of Auxiliary magazine will include a feature story on National Convention. Our ALA successes happen because of you, and we are most grateful!
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September is suicide prevention month |
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It is important to check in on your friends, family, and community members. We know that everyone has a role to play in suicide prevention and that sometimes simply asking someone, “How are you, really?” and listening for their response can make all the difference.
Remember: Help is always available at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by calling 1-800-273-8255 (press 1 if you are a servicemember or veteran) or by chatting online at www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat.
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Support caregivers with a gift to the ALA Foundation |
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It takes incomparable dedication and sacrifice to stand beside and bear witness to some of the biggest obstacles a person can face. Caregivers do just that — all while providing their loved ones with the steadfast support they need to make it through each day.
That’s why ALA National President Kathy Daudistel has made it her mission to celebrate the heroes behind the curtain — caregivers. You can help care for those who care for others with a gift to the ALA Foundation’s Mission Endowment Fund today.
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Increase your knowledge of an ALA program in just an hour! |
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The ALA Academy is an easy way for all ALA members to learn about topics related to serving our mission. The Academy includes recordings of previously held live webinars and self-paced courses. If you missed a live webinar or would like to watch again, all ALA Academy Live webinars are available:
- Using Poppy Funds
- Unit Fundraising Panel
- ALA Junior Leadership Training (includes four webinars)
- Mission Delivery Series (includes four webinars)
Coming in October: the Using Social Media to Your Unit’s Advantage webinar. Watch @ALAforVeterans for more information and to register.
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Need to renew your Auxiliary membership? Take care of your membership in three easy ways: by phone, online, or mail. Go to www.ALAforVeterans.org, call (317) 569-4570, or mail in your renewal notice.
Help us increase our following on Instagram! You may be familiar with our social media accounts on Facebook and Twitter, but did you know we are on Instagram too? Join us for fun, unique content you won’t see anywhere else! Just search for @ALAforVeterans.
Are you reading the ALA blog? We regularly post stories and quick reads as a valuable resource for both ALA members and nonmembers alike. These short, online articles feature stories about our members, good ideas for units, service projects, and much more.
Have you seen our ALA Halloween and poppy coloring books? Several units purchase these books to hand out to kids in their communities. These books are so popular with units that American Legion Flag & Emblem Sales has sold more than 10,000 copies. You can purchase the books or download for free!
Do you shop Amazon Prime? If you do, be sure to use AmazonSmile! Through Amazon’s charitable program, AmazonSmile, you can support the American Legion Auxiliary Foundation. Simply sign in through this special link and select the American Legion Auxiliary. Amazon will donate 0.5% of every purchase you make to the ALA Foundation. It may seem small, but a little can add up to a lot.
The ALA in Numbers. We have more than 8,000 units! In addition to units in the United States, we have seven in foreign countries — Australia, Canada, China, France, Mexico, Panama, and the Philippines.
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Find ALA program committee groups on Facebook |
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Discover what your fellow ALA members are saying in the committee Facebook groups! These easy-to-access forums provide an arena for organic discussion about your local programs or services and present the opportunity to cultivate brand awareness. Find the list of groups here.
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American Legion Auxiliary member Kathy Daudistel of the Department of Kentucky became the national president of the American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) during the organization’s 100th National Convention held Aug. 27-Sept. 2 in Phoenix, Ariz.
Want to know our 2021-2022 national president on a more personal level? Read on for some fun tidbits!
What is your favorite food?
Pizza! I love pizza.
Do you have any embarrassing moments you’re willing to share?
I think it was my first time I ever did an ALA Mission Training. I was talking about branding and wearing the right clothes, and I hesitated and said, “Wear your clothes.” I wanted to crawl under the table. Everyone was laughing, and I was still trying to get it.
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The American Legion Auxiliary Salute to Servicewomen Award, established in 2003, has evolved from honoring women veterans to honoring women who are currently serving our country in the U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Space Force – including the National Guard and Reserve components of each branch.
This year’s recipients were recognized on stage at the Auxiliary’s 100th National Convention in Phoenix:
Air Force: Col. Heather W. Blackwell
Blackwell has been in the Air Force since 1997. She was born and raised in Greeley, Colo. She entered the Air Force as a cyber officer and has had the opportunity to work everything from offensive cyber to enterprise information technology. In addition to cyber, Blackwell has worked on Capitol Hill and ran Keesler Air Force Base, which is the second largest training base in the Air Force.
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American Legion Auxiliary 2019-2021 National President Nicole Clapp has selected children’s book author Sarah Verardo and her family for this year’s ALA Public Spirit Award.
“I want you to see why the book tugged at my heartstrings,” Clapp said. “After watching a clip of the Verardo family on the Today Show, I started to think about how the Verardos and Sara’s book Hero at Home aligned perfectly with what my national president focus would be on the health and well-being of veterans, military, and their families.”
The American Legion Auxiliary’s prestigious Public Spirit Award recognizes outstanding individuals and organizations for contributions that positively impact communities through service to our military, veterans, and their families.
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For years, the American Legion Auxiliary has had close ties with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in multiple ways. One of our biggest partnerships is through co-presenting the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival.
NVCAF comes from the VA’s Office of National Veterans Sports Programs and Special Events, which provides veterans with opportunities for health and healing through adaptive sports and therapeutic art programs. ALA National President Nicole Clapp’s focus has been on adaptive sports, intertwining with the VA’s focus on healing our nation’s veterans. Although this Auxiliary administrative year is coming to an end, working with the VA to help veterans through sports and the arts will continue in an effort to reach even more veterans.
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Don't miss out on ALA member benefits! |
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With Lands’ End, you can add the ALA emblem to quality clothing and other great products. ALA members can shop easily at a custom online store and enjoy exclusive promotions from Lands’ End. Everything in your custom ALA store is designed to ensure long-lasting comfort, color and fit, so you can wear the ALA emblem with pride.
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September – Suicide Awareness Month
September 11 – 20th anniversary of 9/11
September 16 – American Legion Day
September 17 – National POW/MIA Recognition Day
September 17 – Constitution Day
September 18 – U.S. Air Force birthday
September 26 – Gold Star Mother’s Day
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What do you teach your children/grandchildren about the American Legion Auxiliary? |
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“To honor and respect our veterans, support our troops, and be an active member of our community.”
— Lisa Wilkinson, New York
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“No Veteran Left Behind”
The American Legion National Commander Paul E. Dillard’s theme for 2021-2022 is “No Veteran Left Behind.” Dillard’s goal is to raise $2 million for the Legion’s Veterans & Children Foundation. “There are many consequences for a veteran who is left behind,” said Dillard. “Isolation, denied benefits, lost opportunity, lack of decent housing or employment are just a few. But the most tragic outcome for a veteran left behind is suicide. We must not let them down. Male, female, Iraq vet, Vietnam vet, Korean vet, World War II vet – it doesn’t matter. We all serve, and we must be there for each other.”
Legacy Run donations top $1 million
During The American Legion’s National Convention in Phoenix, donations made on stage brought total donations for the Legacy Run to more than $1.1 million. The annual ride raises money for The American Legion Legacy Scholarship Fund. The Legacy Run has raised more than $12.6 million since 2006.
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Legion Family Merchandise
Show your support by buying from
American Legion Flag & Emblem Sales.
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The American Legion Legislative Alerts
The ALA supports the legislative agenda of The American Legion.
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In the spirit of Service Not Self, the mission of the American Legion Auxiliary is to support The American Legion and honor the sacrifice of those who serve by enhancing the lives of our veterans, military, and their families, both at home and abroad. For God and country, we advocate for veterans, educate our citizens, mentor youth, and promote patriotism, good citizenship, peace, and security.
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