President: Seniors could learn fun from the juniors

April means annual reports for the American Legion Auxiliary. Please make sure your unit filled out the impact report with the volunteer hours and dollar amounts that are requested on the report form. If you have pictures of any events, please include them as an attachment to your report. Wouldn’t it be great to see your unit featured on the big screen at Department Convention?

The Department Junior Conference was held in Anoka on April 11 and 12. The 10th District worked hard to make the Friday night fun night just that — fun.

Our juniors have been working hard doing a lot in their districts and units. (We seniors might learn a thing or two from these young leaders.) It was a great weekend. I was honored to install my granddaughter Anastasia Donnelly, Northrop Unit 522, District 2 as the 2025-2026 honorary junior department president.

Thank you to the leadership chairman, Carol Kottom; the presenters, Norma Tramm, Patti Gunderson, Darlene Wondra, Denise Milton, Ashley Kuperus, Mary Kuperus and Anastasia Donnelly, and to all the attendees at the three leadership workshops. I was able to stop in at the last one held in New Ulm.

Great job by everyone. Thank you so much.

April is Children & Youth Month. What is your unit planning to do to emphasize this in your community? April 15 was Purple Up for our military kids. Hopefully you all wore your purple.

Veterans Day on the Hill was held on April 9. It was a privilege to once again be a part of this event and to support our veterans.

Please send any pictures or articles from the unit visits to me at 924 Shoreacres Dr., Fairmont, MN 56031.

Remember May 1 is the date to RSVP for the President’s Testimonial Dinner.

 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.”