November national Junior meetings approaching alongside Mission Training
Interested in learning more about our mission and becoming a stronger ALA member? Register for a Mission Training! Plan on going, then bring a Junior, or Juniors, along to learn valuable information and become well-rounded members and individuals. Juniors and young Sons of The American Legion members age 8 and older will have their own meetings happening where they’ll do service projects, meet new friends, and — most importantly — have fun!
What’s happening in the 2025-2026 national Junior meetings?
- Hats for Heroes — a service project developed by ALA National President Pam Ray to give personal hygiene products to homeless veterans
- Learning the Pledge of Allegiance in American Sign Language
- Crafts, such as beaded keychains and America’s 250th birthday hats
- Receiving A Life of Service: The Story of Senator Tammy Duckworth book about a U.S Army veteran with many firsts in Congress
To learn more about the national Junior meeting activities, click here.
Previous Junior attendees can use a $5 off coupon to register for national Junior meetings! *Use code FALLJUNIORS
*The expiration date for the coupon is Oct. 12.
November meetings and trainings:
- Nov. 15: Albany, N.Y.
- Nov. 15: Minneapolis
Register here for both national Junior meetings and Mission Trainings.
To learn more about our winter meeting dates starting in January, click this link.
| |
New ALA Academy courses right around the corner
ALA National Scholarships
When: Oct. 14 @ 7 p.m. ET
Join us for an informative ALA Academy Live webinar designed to help units and members share scholarship opportunities more effectively. This session will provide a detailed overview of the four national American Legion Auxiliary scholarships, including eligibility requirements, required attachments, and recent enhancements to the application forms.
You’ll also learn:
- Where to find scholarship rules and applications
- Creative ways to “get the word out” in your community
- Key items needed for a complete application
- Helpful tips on what makes an application stand out
Don’t miss this opportunity to raise awareness, get information out earlier in the year, and support students in achieving their educational dreams!
Register here!
***
Wellcare Medicare Advantage Annual Enrollment Virtual Education Seminar
When: Oct. 15 @ 5 p.m. ET
It’s time to choose your Medicare Advantage health plan for 2026. The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) runs from Oct.15 through Dec. 7, and we’re here to help you understand your options, as well as select the plan that best suits your needs. Join us to learn about the enrollment period and how Wellcare Medicare Advantage plans work to provide more coverage than Original Medicare.
You deserve access to the right doctors, the benefits you can use every day to stay healthy, and straight answers about your coverage. You’ll find those answers at our upcoming virtual event.
During the session, your host will:
- Give an overview of the Medicare AEP
- Review the requirements of joining a Medicare Advantage plan
- Talk about the different types of plans available
- Explain how to enroll into a Medicare Advantage plan
- Talk about what can be expected after you enroll
Don’t wait! If you’d like to attend this informational session, please register now.
Register here!
***
Leadership in Unity Exploring Leadership Styles
When: Oct. 29 @ noon ET
Every leader has a style — and knowing yours can make all the difference! This interactive webinar will explore four key leadership approaches:
-
Autocratic: decisive and efficient
-
Democratic: collaborative and inclusive
-
Transformative: inspiring and visionary
-
Servant: empathetic and people-focused
You’ll learn how to identify your own style, recognize the strengths in others, and use these insights to build stronger teams and ease challenges.
Don’t miss this chance to grow your leadership confidence and connect with fellow ALA members!
Register here!
| | |
VAVS 101 orientation coming up
When: Oct. 16 @ 7:30 p.m. ET
Join Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation leaders for the virtual Department VA Voluntary Service (VAVS) Orientation. Learn key information for all department secretaries, department presidents, and department VA&R chairs. It is crucial that at least one representative from each department attends this webinar. You will learn the processes and procedures for volunteering within the VA. We will also cover a variety of topics, including how to choose a valuable Rep or Dep, the certification process, VA roles and expectations, the structure of VAVS, and much more.
To register, click here.
| |
Want to serve on a national ALA committee?
The application process for 2026-2027 national committee appointments opens Nov. 1! National committee chairs and members are appointed annually and confirmed by the National Executive Committee to serve on a wide variety of ALA committees for you to explore. Any member is eligible to apply. The application window is Nov. 1 to Jan. 1, 2026.
Watch our socials @ALAforVeterans for an application link.
| |
Join the USA 250 Challenge to raise donations and celebrate America’s birthday
This year-long American Legion Family challenge runs until July 4, 2026. Participants have three areas — fitness, mental wellness, and/or community service — they can engage in as a part of a team, like an ALA unit, or as an individual. You can do one category or go the extra mile and do all three!
Register here for $30 and get a USA 250 Legion Family T-shirt and donate to a good cause. For more information on ways to fulfill the categories, go to the USA 250 Challenge website.
| |
Care packages needing extra care with shipping
A new regulation, featured on the ALA blog, started Sept. 1 with U.S. Customs and Border Protection now requiring HS codes for all overseas military shipping to APO, FPO, and DPO addresses. Additionally, military mail needs to follow both domestic and international mail requirements. Entering holiday season, ALA members need to keep these new rules in mind when they send their care packages overseas to support our military. Ship Thrifty is a resource to use to help navigate new regulations, as well as helping plan care package events.
Learn more on our blog.
| |
What do you have planned for Veterans Day?
As Veterans Day (Nov. 11) approaches and your units are working on amazing events for your communities, ALA National Headquarters wants to hear what you have planned. Whether big or small, simple or complicated, please let us hear your cool ideas for us to cover. Your responses may be used in national ALA media to not only showcase your hard work but help other units in your ALA family support our mission.
Please send your responses to PR@ALAforVeterans.org.
| | |
Use your ALA member benefit during the holidays or any day!
Ship Thrifty saves you time, money, and headaches on shipping. Whether you’re shipping to show support, celebrate birthdays and special occasions, do returns, or grow a side hustle, we make it simple. And when you’re sending care packages to our troops, Ship Thrifty is the easiest way to create your labels, especially with the new customs requirements.
Create a free account: www.shipthrifty.com/rf/ALA or use the code ALA at signup.
| | When you give to the Spirit of Youth Scholarship Fund, you’re not just donating, you’re making an investment in hope, determination, and the limitless potential of our youth. For many students, this scholarship is the difference between putting aside their dreams and achieving them. We’ve made it simple for members, friends, and supporters to contribute. You can text SOY to 1-844-940-3450 or donate online here. Every contribution creates a lasting impact on a student’s life, their family, and the communities they will one day serve. | | |
This Veterans Day, join us in serving those who served. Through the American Legion Auxiliary Foundation’s Veteran Projects Fund, your donation becomes action, powering projects that meet real needs for veterans, military members, and their families. Together, we can turn ideas into impact and ensure those who sacrificed for us are honored with the support they deserve.
Donate online or text VETERAN to 1-844-940-3450.
| | Keep a lookout for the November Auxiliary magazine! This quarterly publication is on its way to mailboxes in early November. A digital copy will be available soon on our website. | | Missed a September webinar? They are posted in the ALA Academy. Learn, or review, about Wreaths Across America and a Wellcare Information session. Click here to access the courses! | | | |
ALA COMMITTEE FACEBOOK GROUPS ENCOURAGE DISCUSSION
These national committee groups are spaces on the social media platform for ALA members to discuss or share ideas about topics related to each committee. Groups provide a safe place for organic discussion about your local programs or services and support efforts to grow our organization’s awareness. Visit www.ALAforVeterans.org/social-media to join the groups you’re passionate about.
| | |
Virginia unit honors its post home veterans through monthly recognition
Mechanicsville, Va., Unit 175 is recognizing its American Legion Family post veterans through a newly formed program dubbed the Honorable Veteran Program.
Read more.
| | |
What does your unit do?
Do you know how you would answer this question: What does your unit do? Would you start naming all of the American Legion Auxiliary’s programs, mention events, use our tagline — a community of volunteers serving veterans, military, and their families?
Read more.
| | | |
Oct. 13: U.S. Navy’s birthday
Oct. 26: National Day of the Deployed
Oct. 20-24: Veteran National Buddy Check Week
Oct. 31: Halloween
Nov. 4: Election Day
Nov. 10: American Legion Auxiliary’s 106th birthday
Nov. 10: U.S. Marine Corps birthday
Nov. 11: Veterans Day
| | |
Why is membership important to you?
“We all know membership is the lifeblood of a thriving and vibrant post family, not just in numbers, but the broad array of talent among those members who can help achieve the mission of serving veterans and their families.”
— U.S. Army Veteran and ALA Member Randy Conlon, Maryland
| | | |
Tell Congress: Our troops deserve their pay
The American Legion Family proudly endorses the Pay Our Troops Act of 2026 to ensure that members of the Armed Services will be paid in the event of a government shutdown.
Go to the Grassroots Action Center to show your support.
| |
Fly the flag proudly for America’s birthday
As our nation approaches its 250th anniversary in 2026, there’s no better way to honor America’s legacy than by proudly displaying the Stars and Stripes. American Legion Flags offers high-quality, made-in-the-USA flags for your home, business, or community. Every purchase supports veterans and programs that strengthen our nation. Be ready to celebrate this historic milestone — order your American flag today and let it wave with pride as we count down to USA 250.
Shop now at AmericanLegionFlags.com
| | | | |
