President: Thanks to the units for inviting me over

This year has flown by. Department Convention is right around the corner.

I hope you are planning to join us in Willmar to hear about all the successes of the units in the department. I am looking forward to seeing everyone at convention.

The end of April and the beginning of May had unit visits to Minnesota Lake, Nashwauk, Roseau, Fisher and North Branch. Thank you to these units for their invites. It is always fun and interesting to see how other units work the programs of the American Legion Auxiliary.

Many units are working on their Memorial Day programs to honor our fallen veterans. It is a day to honor those veterans who gave the ultimate sacrifice to our country.

June will bring 6 District conventions. Please go to your district convention and hear what the units did.

June is Girl State month. Girl State will be held June 15-21 at Bethel University. Hopefully your unit is sending at least one girl if not more to this educational opportunity. What an opportunity for these young women to learn about local and state government.

June 14 is Flag Day. Show your patriotism by displaying Old Glory. You might even go to the flag-retirement ceremony at the Veterans Campground on Big Marine Lake. It starts at noon.

Thank you to everyone who came to the testimonial. Your presence was a very special gift to me to help celebrate this year of going “Back to the Basics: Recognize, Respect, Remember.”

I hope everyone who attended had a great time. I know I did and my grandchildren enjoyed themselves.

God bless our fallen veterans, our veterans, active military and their families. God bless America.

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.”