President: Let’s give national president a big turnout

By Judy Ackerman

October will be here in the blink of an eye. Fall is definitely in the air. Fall Conference is fast approaching, and there are some fun events to participate in, learn new things, get together with old friends and meet new friends.

I am so excited to have American Legion Auxiliary National President Trish Ward here for our Thursday night education. I encourage every member you know to come hear President Ward as she will be “Leading the Way.” Let’s give her a great Minnesota turnout for her presentation to us.

Friday night at Fall Conference will feature a couple of events. There will be an opportunity to participate in a poppy-making challenge. Please refer to Poppy Chairman Lorinda Kies’s information regarding the teams. There will be a prize for the winning team. There will also be an opportunity to help pack the personal care kits for the female veterans at the Women’s Clinic at the Minneapolis VAMC. Please bring donated items for the personal care kits to Fall Conference.

Judy Ackerman

Items needed for the personal care kits are listed below. Zippered pouches will be provided.

Required items:

Shampoo

Conditioner

Deodorant (non-aerosol)

Bar soap

Body wash

Toothbrush

Toothpaste

Lip balm

Chapstick

Emery board

Large comb

Hairbrush

Lotion

Optional items:

Travel-size Kleenex

Small journal/notepad

Word search/puzzle book

Stress ball/fidget item

Slipper/cozy socks

Handwritten note of thanks/encouragement

Pen/pencil

October is Education and Constitution and Standing Rules Month. Take the time to review these programs and see what your unit and you can do to promote these programs.

Thank you to the units that have sent invitations for a department president’s visit. I will do my best to attend your events.

The Auxiliary National Convention was held in New Orleans. It was fun to see pictures of Minnesota members on the big screen. It was an honor and privilege to take the oath of office as your department president with the other department presidents.

Judy Ackerman of Northrop Unit 522 is the president of the American Legion Auxiliary Department of Minnesota. Her theme is “Back to the Basics: Recognize, Respect, Remember.”