By Betsy Turner
The American Legion Auxiliary Department of West Virginia held its 103rd convention July 10th-12th at the Doubletree by Hilton in Huntington, WV. The Convention is called for the purpose of electing officers for the ensuing year, amending the Department Constitution, receiving reports of Department Officers and Chairmen, and for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before it.
Department officers elected and installed for the 2025 -2026 Auxiliary Year are:
President-Kim Mellie; 1st Vice President- Stephanie Handley; 2nd Vice President-Peggy Swartz; Secretary/Treasurer-Paulette Anderson; Chaplain-Rebecca Farley; and Historian- Holly Adams. Election of delegates and alternates for the national convention was also held.
The president’s theme this year is OHANA, which means family. And family means no one gets left behind or forgotten—especially the brave men and women who fought for our freedom. Kim’s special project is very close to her heart and is twofold: first, to support the Clarksburg Honor Flight hub to honor her father, a proud World War II Veteran. Second, during her time at Girls State, she had the privilege of meeting Jay Trickett, who shared his powerful story of battling PTSD, and the incredible bond he shares with his service dog, Pearl. Their story touched Kim deeply, and she’s chosen to split donations between both of these meaningful causes—each one directly impacting Veterans here in West Virginia. Because she chose a beach/luau theme, the Membership theme is: “Our Mission Matters to Navigate Life’s Waters”. The colors for the year are Coral, (as a mixture of red and yellow) & tropical colors (red, yellow, blue, green, purple). Flowers for the year are the Poppy and Dandelion Matthew Sampson, American Legion Department of West Virginia Commander and Herb Churchman, Detachment Commander addressed the gathering.
Eight members of American Legion Auxiliary Unit 31, Shinnston attended the convention, including two past department presidents. Unit 31, Shinnston brought home plaques and awards in the category of units with membership 151 and over. These included the traveling plaques for Legislative Report and Junior Scrapbook. They also received an award for their Public Relations Press Book.
During an American Legion Auxiliary Pre-National Convention meeting on August 7, 2025, Dortha Parsons of Unit 31 received recognition for continued recruitment and retention as a volunteer at the Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Center for American Legion Auxiliary Central Division.
It was also announced that the annual fall conference for American Legion/American Legion Auxiliary Department of West Virginia 3rd District twill be held by Post 13, Clarksburg, at American Legion Post 13 on October 11, 2025.
