Department

We finally got to celebrate our 100^th anniversary at American Legion Auxiliary National Convention. What an exciting time it was. They celebrated in great style. It was an honor and with extraordinary pride to be asked to be on the stage representing the Department of Alaska for achieving 100% in membership. We were the only department/state in the Western Region to accomplish this. Thank you to all of you for your hard work in making this happen. It takes all of us working together to achieve our goals!

Some news from National that we learned at Convention:

• National will no longer be having a Past President Parley committee – this does not mean that Departments can not continue with it, but the Service of Woman of the Year has now moved to the National Security committee.
• Member of the Year has been moved to the Leadership committee

At the closing of the ALA National Convention, I was installed as the Alaska Department President along with the other Department Presidents attending. It was special for me as I had my mother, Marilyn Tangen, a unit member of 35 present to see me get installed by the National President.

The Convention was fantastic and again I thank all for letting me represent the great Department of Alaska.

After the convention we left to visit with my mother who now resides in Green Valley, Arizona. I can say that I enjoyed my time visiting.

We then left Arizona to head to Covington, Kentucky for the Homecoming of the National President, Kathy Daudistel. It was a great homecoming done Kentucky style. Starting off the first night with a BBQ and with bourbon tasting. Next day we traveled to Lexington, Kentucky to visit the Kentucky Horse Park, then on to Georgetown, to American Legion Post 24 for lunch. After lunch we traveled to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, one of the largest Granite Memorials in the nation, which overlooks the state capital in Frankfort, Kentucky. To end the day, we had dinner at American Legion Post 203, in Latonia, Kentucky, which is Kathy’s home post. A beautiful and fun filled day. The last day we had the pleasure of a relaxing cruise on the Ohio River aboard the Queen City Riverboat. Finishing off the homecoming celebration we had a derby themed dinner, where we had a derby hat contest. It was fun and enjoyable. Thank you to Kentucky for your great hospitality!

Right after the Homecoming Celebration it was down to business. I had the privilege of attending the 2021-2022 Department Presidents Retreat. We had fantastic sessions on:

• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
• Conflict Resolution: The power of Principles, Passion, Purpose and Practice
• What Does it Mean to be a Good Leader in 2021 and moving forward?
• Governing documents: A Roadmap for a successful journey

We wrapped up the retreat with the National President, Kathy Daudistel focus: “Caring for Those Who Care for Others” and all the special opportunities available to and for members in 2021-2022. It was a highly informative and learning retreat, which I enjoyed and took a lot away from it.

After the retreat it was off to Ketchikan, Alaska to our Fall Conference, hosted by the American Legion Family Post 3. Thou, we were small in numbers we had a great conference with comradery and fellowship. Our main objective at our meeting was our VAVS deputies, which I am stilling looking for a deputy in the Kenai Peninsula area. If you are interested in the position, please email me at alajllalaska@gmail.com or call me at (907) 715-2377.

We also discussed:

• Alaska Department Convention in April 21-24, 2022, being hosted by American Legion Family Post 28 in Anchorage, where the ALA Department of Alaska with be celebrating our 100th. (More information to follow)
• President’s Poppy Project – all information will be coming out in email to all units
• Poppy orders need to be placed by November 12^th to the Department Secretary.

We were graced with the present of the Sons of the American Legion National Vice Commander Western Region, Jim Stewart. Who talked about the Sons of the American Legion National Commander, Michael Fox's special project:

Flying Flags for Heroes

His aim is to place 1 million flags on the graves of our veterans. We had the honor of Jim Stewart leading us with a ceremony at the Ketchikan cemetery placing American flags on the graves of our veterans. A great start in participating to help meet his goal.

Thank you to the American Legion Family Post 3 for hosting this year’s Fall Conference and all that attended.