By Betsy Turner
The American Legion Auxiliary Department of West Virginia held its annual fall workshop Saturday, September 14, 2024, at Hilton Garden Inn, Clarksburg. Auxiliary members represented West Virginia’s 63 Auxiliary Units from its 6 Districts.
The session began with welcoming remarks from Department President, Laura Clark followed by the opening prayer, the “Pledge of Allegiance”, the “Star Spangled Banner” and the “Preamble to the American Legion Auxiliary Constitution” and “Mission Statement”. The POW/MIA Ceremony was conducted by Department Chaplain, Peggy Swartz.
Department President Laura Clark spoke to the ladies about her theme for the 2024-2025 Auxiliary Year, “For the Heart of the Matter”. Her membership theme is, “Membership in the ALA — How Sweet It Is” and her special project is purchasing five new Automatic External Defibrillators for the West Virginia Veterans Nursing Home. The colors for the year are purple (representing ambition and determination); accent colors, pink, yellow, blue (representing fun and energy) while the president’s flower is the Daisy (representing new beginnings and cheerfulness).
The four pillars of the American Legion Auxiliary, Best Practices, Americanism, Children and Youth, and Veterans Affairs and Recreation were discussed. “Back to Basics”, a guidebook for the American Legion was also discussed.
Attendees were reminded to think of membership as a team effort for our department. Some units struggle and some flourish. On the department level, those units who flourish will be helping the department reach goal (4,691 members state-wide).
After a question-and-answer period, the day concluded with a purse auction named in honor of Past Department President, Betty Rea, with the proceeds going to President Laura’s special project, purchasing five new Automatic External Defibrillators for the West Virginia Veterans Nursing Home.
During the regular meeting time of the American Legion Auxiliary the American Legion Auxiliary Junior members were holding their own workshop. They learn more about their membership in the American Legion Auxiliary and create their own projects for the Auxiliary Year.
Pictured during a work session are attendees from American Legion Auxiliary Unit 31, Shinnston, Dortha Parsons, Karen Flanigan, Andrea Skelley, Roxie Nicholson, Margaret Yost, Carla Wilfong and Sharon Duckworth.