November 8, 2012

Here it is November and we are head-ing into a very busy time! This month through-out our state, members will be involved in m e m b e r s h i p rallies, events

for Veterans Day, Thanksgiving festivities and much more. Re-member to involve your entire Legion Family in all your events and work together to make them a success.

November is Membership Month! If you have not already sent in your 2013 dues, now would be a good time to take care of that. Memberships are coming into headquarters at a good pace now, so let’s keep it going.

National President Peggy

Diana SirovinaDepartmentPresident

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGEThomas issued a challenge to all members to sign up one new member this year. Talk to your friends, co-workers, associates, church members, club members, everyone you know and ask if they are eligible to join this pre-mier organization. Remind them that they honor a special veteran in their life by being a member of the American Legion Auxiliary. Everyone who signs up a new se-nior member is eligible to receive a special pin from our National President and our Wisconsin “Take the High Road” pin.

As we plan our Thanksgiving celebrations, let us refl ect on what President John F. Kennedy said, “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” Thanks-giving Day in America is a time of family gatherings and holi-

day meals, parades and football games. As we enjoy all that we have, let us remember those less fortunate, especially our homeless veterans. We live in a free country because of the sacrifi ces of those who served our country, so let us take every opportunity, not only at Thanksgiving but every day, to live by our mission to care for our veterans, our active duty military and their families.

Last month at the National Presidents and Secretaries Con-ference in Indianapolis, we had the privilege of hearing a speech by National Commander James Koutz. In his message he told us that “every day is Veterans Day.” During this time of year when we are all so busy, let’s remember those words and do all we can to live by them every day.

Diana SirovinaDepartment President

Ann RynesDept Membership ChairmanPh: (608) 604-0350Email: annies@mwt.net

As we make plans to honor our Veterans on Veterans Day, remem-ber why this organization exists. If it weren’t for a Veteran, we would not be part of this great family.

Your membership team has been traveling around the state and hearing all the good things going on in your Units and Dis-tricts. Sturgeon Bay has been revitalized and is eager to once again start serving Veterans. The 9th District conference was well attended and Berne Baer prop-erly “dressed” the District Com-mander with a complete set of all four membership applications. The 3rd and 7th District rally was fi lled with information and skits and juniors, oh my. It’s reassuring that our organization has a future in its youth. The juniors made cards for pocket fl ags, thank you cards to Veterans, participated in a legislative skit, and then headed out to the Douglas Legacy Farm in LaValle to plant bulbs to be en-joyed next spring. It’s great to see their enthusiasm.

At the 3rd & 7th District rally, we were told to “Always Ask

and Always Answer.” How true when it comes to membership! If you don’t ask that prospective member, you’ll never know if she has a veteran in her life or if she might be interested in distribut-ing poppies or helping at the Vet-erans Day lunch. What a shame. Many spouses of current Legion family members have not been asked to join the Auxiliary. Why? Be the one to ask!

“Always Answer.” Do we know everything? Absolutely not. Do we know how to fi nd the answer? You bet. Finding an-swers is a win-win situation. You will know more about the organi-zation and so will the person who asked in the fi rst place. Don’t be afraid of not knowing, you’ll learn something in the end.

I learned many new things af-ter spending an afternoon with Andrea Stoltz at headquarters. Andrea processes all the Aux-iliary memberships. If you’ve ever wondered why you’re being asked to be precise and to follow the checklist, I now know why. Although she did set me up a lit-tle, I could see some of the situa-tions she deals with.

Working within two computer programs is just one of them.

Paying dues for deceased mem-bers, paying members’ dues twice, and not providing junior birthdates are some of the issues that can be prevented at the Unit level. I learned how frustrating it is to go through almost an entire transmittal and then fi nd an er-ror that required the entire sub-mittal to be returned to the Unit, and then have to go back through and “unclick” all the members that were just processed on the national database, make copies, prepare the submittal to be mailed back, stamp it and mail it. Please use the membership processing checklist. It will truly help things go smoothly and prevent wasted time and money.

If you need help in preparing and submitting membership, please ask. It’s better to ask fi rst than to be frustrated when your submittal is returned for correction.

Continue to Work Together and Take the High Road in all that you do.

YOUR TEAM:Ann Rynes, 608-604-0350,

annies@mwt.net;Berne Baer, 920-680-0308, twobaers2009@gmail.com;

April Kollmorgen, 360-362-2803,aekollmorgen@comcast.net

MEMBERSHIP

TAKE THE HIGH ROAD2012 2013

OCTOBER 2012Total Membership: 55.29%

1st - 61.30%2nd District

2nd - 59.51%6th District

3rd - 59.19%1st District

4th - 57.67%3rd District

5th - 56.69%4th District

6th - 55.95%9th District

7th - 55.40%7th District

8th - 53.30%12th District

9th - 52.71%8th District

10th - 49.61%10th District

11th - 46.29%11th District12th - 14.55%

5th District

TAKE THE HIGH ROAD

1st - 2nd District

American Legion Auxiliary Christmas Gift ShopZablocki VA Medical Center • 5000 West National Avenue, Bldg. 1 • Milwaukee, WI 53295

Open October 21st – December 15th • Monday – Friday, 9:00 am – 2:00 pmFlorence Groth, Supervisor • Janice Dahlke, Assistant • 414-384-2000 ext 42207

HELP WANTED!! CONVENTION TRANSCRIBER

The American Legion Auxiliary, Department of Wisconsin is seeking an individual to transcribe

the proceedings of Department Convention.Requirements: ability to ac-curately transcribe convention proceedings verbatim from 13-15 hours of audio recordings. Auxiliary membership is pre-ferred. Individual will work from home. Regular status updates and timesheets must be provid-ed to the Department Secretary throughout the project.Payment will be made upon completion of project or inter-vals mutually agreed upon by applicant and department sec-retary. Position pays $12/hour. No overtime or benefi ts are available.

The completed transcription must be provided to the De-partment Secretary in Microsoft

Word format. Department Con-vention is held in July; materi-als are available for transcrip-tion in November, and must be completed by March 1st of thefollowing year.Applicants should submit a letter of interest describing his or her qualifi cations to:American Legion Auxiliary-Department of WisconsinAttn: Department SecretaryPO Box 140Portage, WI 53901-0140deptsec@amlegionauxwi.orgThe subject line for letters of interest sent via email must read: Convention Transcriber-[Applicant’s Name].

• Send the PR Team copies of what you publish for awards and the Department President’s Publicity Book. Send publications to Joyce E. Endres, 1147 Fleetwood Ave, Madi-son, WI 53716-1417 or e-mail to ljendres@charter.net or give a PR team member your publications.

Use the ALA logo and Poppy Logo topromote the ALA!

QUESTIONS? Please call Joyce Endres at 608-221-1763

PAGE A2 AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY “WISCONSIN” November 8, 2012

CHAPLAIN’SCORNER

Bonnie JakubczykDepartment ChaplainMusic ChairmanPh: (414) 764-6752Email: bon6862@yahoo.com

As the leaves and temperatures continue to fall, we enter our most thankful month. I am truly blessed and thankful to have such a great Ameri-can Legion family. Please remember to give Veterans an extra thank you.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, we have so much to be thankful for. Thank you for our service men and women who are pro-tecting us and preserving our freedom. Please protect and keep them and their families in your care. We ask for blessings for our Veterans who have given so much for our freedom. We pray for those who have given the supreme sacrifi ce that they may never be forgotten. We thank you for our American Legion family and the op-portunity to be of service to You and to others. We ask for your guidance so we may be a blessing for our Veterans. Be with us we pray.

AmenMUSIC

Remember to show your thanks and praise with music.

FOR THE BEAUTY OF THE EARTHby Folliott S. Pierpoint (1835-1917)

For the beauty of the earth,for the glory of the skies,for the love which from our birth,over and around us lies:

Refrain:Lord of all, to Thee we raisethis our joyful hymn of praise.

Alternative Refrain:Christ, our God, to Thee we raisethis, our sacrifi ce of praise.

For the beauty of each hourof the day and of the night,hill and vale and tree and fl ower,sun and moon and stars of light.

Refrain

For the joy of human love,brother, sister, parent, child.Friends on earth and friends abovefor all gentle thoughts and mild.

Refrain

For thyself, best Gift Divine,to the world so freely given,for that great, great love of thine,peace on earth, and joy in heaven.

Refrain

WORKING TOGETHER FOR GOD AND COUNTRY

GREETINGS FROM HEADQUARTERS

CHILDREN & YOUTH

PUBLIC RELATIONS

Bonnie DorniakExecutive Secretary/TreasurerPh: (608) 745-0124Email: deptsec@amlegionauxwi.orgwww.amlegionauxwi.org

Department has been notifi ed by na-tional headquarters that the IRS revoked the tax exempt status of 45 Auxiliary Units in Wisconsin and fi ve other units have in-valid EIN numbers on fi le with the IRS. If too many units lose their tax exempt sta-tus, this jeopardizes the status of the entire national organization. The IRS revokes the tax exempt status of any unit that fails to fi le the IRS Form 990-N ePostcard for three consecutive years. Letters were sent to each of the impacted units.

Unfortunately, neither department nor national headquarters can help a Unit once their tax exempt status is revoked. The unit must work directly with the IRS to rein-state their tax exempt status. In the mean-time, the unit must annually fi le the regular IRS Form 990 and notify donors that con-tributions to the unit cannot be deducted

Mary PetrieChildren & Youth Chairman

As Fall Forum’s Children & Youth workshop welcomed attendees to Children & Youth Day at American Legion Post Hometown WI, each became a military child, with a parent currently serving. The celebration demonstrated teamwork in ac-tion as a puzzle was pieced together. The ‘kids’ then enjoyed a movie on the huge, fl at-screen TV, decorated cut-out cook-ies, had a quick lunch, and wrote a letter to Mom or Dad…all in about fi ve min-utes! Imaginations were required and put to good use. This served as an example of what could be done at any Post or Unit.

Back in the present, partnerships with other organizations were discussed. Units often work with Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Opera-tion: Military Kids, Children’s Miracle Network, Family Readiness Groups, 4-H, police and fi re departments, churches, oth-er groups, and the Legion Family.

Events were presented to implement public awareness and increase community

2012-13 Department Public Relations Team: Joyce Endres, Chair; Penny Joren, Linda KostkaPurpose: Working Together to:

• Understand the ALA mission, vision, programs and benefi ts

• Positively promote the American Le-gion Auxiliary image to our stake-holders and the general public

• Create, implement, and support a communications network with all lev-els of the organization

• Advance ALA ‘service not self’ ob-jectives and value/opportunities ALA programs offer

• Build awareness of and promote the American Legion Family

Answer these questions:Who are we? What do we do? When do we do it? Where do we do it? Why do we

as charitable donations. For instance, local businesses that help sponsor delegates for American Legion Auxiliary Badger Girls State or donate money to mail packages to military personnel overseas may not claim these as charitable donations.

In November/December, headquarters will be mailing Unit Annual Reports and Contest & Awards information to Unit Presidents; national and department schol-arship applications to Unit Presidents and Wisconsin high schools; and American Legion Auxiliary Badger Girls State (AL-ABGS) reservation forms and program in-formation to Unit ALABGS chairmen and Wisconsin high schools. The information is also posted on the department website. Please pay attention to all of the deadlines.

If any Units that previously sponsored delegates for ALABGS are unable to sponsor one this year, please notify De-partment Headquarters immediately so we can inform the local school before they start their delegate selection process.

December 31, 2012 is the last day for

support. Dinners, game or movie nights, fairs, walks/runs, story hours, holiday bak-ing sessions, Christmas/seasonal parties, Easter egg hunts, coloring contests, and bowling parties are samplings of activi-ties that could serve as fundraisers or be adjusted to a fun day for military and/or non-military children.

The Children’s Welfare Foundation (CWF), a Legion partner, accepts fund-ing proposals from nonprofi ts for projects contributing to the physical, mental, emo-tional, and spiritual welfare of children throughout the U.S. The Legion covers all expenses, allowing 100% of contribu-tions to be given in grants – and they’re tax deductible!

Two door prizes were awarded. The military child’s book recipient will be donating it in her Unit’s name to the lo-cal public library, an elementary school, or a military child. The CWF tote bag of-fered a spot to place brochures and other Forum information.

To add a little fun to your Unit’s C&Y program, and serving as a program re-

do it? PROMOTE the ALA and the American Legion Family:

• Wear ALA pins and apparel. • Include the ALA logo on all promo-

tion, event and membership informa-tion we share with our members and the public. Use of the ALA logo on promotional items (shirts, mugs, etc.), must be approved by the National Secretary prior to printing. Contact the department secretary for details.

• Spread positive news! Promote ac-complishments, programs, events and benefi ts!

• Use a variety of media: newspapers, TV/Cable, radio, fl yers, posters, rack cards, e-mails, websites, newsletters, bulletin boards, and social networks.

• Talk about it! Share your excitement with others to add fuel to the fi re!

processing 2012 PUFL applications. Any PUFL applications received after that date will need to pay their 2013 dues before Department Headquarters can process the application.

The Auxiliary will be hosting a lun-cheon during The American Legion Mid-winter Conference at Ho-Chunk on Sat-urday, January 19, 2013 at 12:00 noon. Advance reservations are required. The ALA Midwinter Luncheon Registration Form is due January 2, 2013. The regis-tration form is available on page A4 and is posted on the Department website.NO LATE RESERVATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED!

fresher, a Word Search was given out. It is also available on the department website.

Our furry, bandana-bedecked Josh Dog made an appearance, accompanied by his story-telling book about his visit to the vet, resulting surgery, and recovery. These stuffed animals make wonderful gifts for children facing surgery – told from the doggy viewpoint.

A variety of brochures, all free and avail-able from National, offered information on teen suicide, warning signs, Halloween and general safety tips, CWF, Children’s Miracle Network, and such.

Watch for special promotions. Brawny Paper Towels and the Wounded Warriors Program is partnering to raise money for and awareness of the needs of injured service members and their families. JC Penney recently ran ‘round up to the near-est dollar’ at checkout, collecting over $3,000,000 dollars for Boys & Girls Clubs of America and 4-H.

Pick a project and see where your imagi-nation takes you.

Working Together makes a difference!

Department Headquarters will be closed:November 12th (Veterans Day)November 22-23 (Thanksgiving Holiday)December 24-25 (Christmas Holiday)December 31 (New Years Eve)January 1, 2013 (New Years Day)

Wednesday thru Friday:9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Zablocki VA Hospital,Bldg. #1

5000 W. National Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53295

414-384-2000 ext. 42208

November 8, 2012 AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY “WISCONSIN” PAGE A3

Thank You for Your Support!POPPY PROGRAMLaura CalteuxPoppy ChairmanPh: (414) 379-2943

With Fall Forum behind us, I know that you are working your Poppy program and promoting the Poppy in your communi-ties. Learning the history of the poppy will help you in this en-deavor, so use all the resources available to you. The National and Department websites of the Auxiliary offer ideas to help you move ahead.

The Poppy Usage contest can be done any time during the year. Be creative in how you use the memorial poppy and use these creations to promote your poppy distribution. Hold a contest for the best creation on your unit or dis-trict level. Sell ballots for $1.00 each, with the winner being the one with the most ballots in their box! The money raised should be submitted to Department with a Poppy Fund Suggested Donation

Karen SchroederPoppy Shop ManagerShirley MeyerPoppy Shop AssistantPh: (414) 384-2000 ext 42208

Here we are at the beginning of another season for ordering Poppies; here are a few friendly tips to remember when ordering.• Remember to (clearly) print

your name, address and phone number.

• Don’t forget your zip code.• Always make sure you list a

pick-up date.• Double check the pick- up

date. There have been times when the pick-up date has been scheduled for Saturday/Sunday. If for some reason you are unable to pick-up

Sheet; put “Creative Arts Fes-tival/Poppy Usage Contest” on the memo line of the check. The Department that raises the most money will be recognized in na-tional publications. So, let’s get Wisconsin in the news!

Get your Juniors involved by having them promote the poppy as a Little Miss Poppy or a Miss Poppy. They can also be involved in the Poppy Poster contest. The poster contest should be opened to children of all ages in your schools. The rules for both con-tests are on the department web-site. Please share this information with everyone who is eligible.

By working your Poppy pro-gram throughout the year, you inform others what the Auxiliary is doing in our communities, for our veterans and their families. Remember, poppies can be dis-tributed year-round, not just in May. Think outside the box to develop unique ways to distrib-

your order on the days we are open (Wednesday-Fri-day: 9am – 1pm), please contact Karen Schroeder at262-617-1711 or Shirley Meyer at 414-421-3671 to

schedule a more convenient pick-up time.

• When picking up your order call fi rst to make sure some-one is available at the Poppy Shop. There have been times, especially during inclem-ent weather when we are not available for pick-ups.

• When you receive your Pop-pies, please open the box and inspect them. Don’t wait un-til your distribution date; if there is a problem we can not guarantee that we will have time to correct it.

Please share this information with your members and Legion Posts, especially if the Post or-ders separately. Thank you, we appreciate your cooperation.

ute poppies. By “Working To-gether” with your Legion family, you can take the Poppy program far! Report this information and how it applies to the objectives in the Poppy Plan of Action in your Unit narrative year-end report.

Did you know? The fi rst regu-larly conducted poppy distri-bution was held in Milwaukee the Saturday before Memorial Day in 1920. Post #1 distrib-uted 50,000 poppies and raised $5,500. The idea for a poppy distribution came to Mrs. Mary Hanecy after she worked at a coffee and doughnut booth dur-ing the homecoming of the 32nd Division in Milwaukee. The booth was decorated with pa-per poppies and as people were walking past, they would take a poppy and leave a donation.

Now you have a little history on the poppy, so get out there and let everyone know what the Aux-iliary is all about!

Poppy Shop Hours

Poppy Shop Ordering Tips

American Legion FamilyBUMPER STICKERS & CLINGS

Bumper Sticker(7.5"x 3.75")

Window Cling(5" x 4")

Please make checks payable to – ALA. Send order form with payment to: American Legion Auxiliary - Department of Wisconsin, PO Box 140, Portage, WI 53901

Unit City Location ________________________________ Unit #___________

Date ____________________________________________ Dist #___________

Send to: ___________________________________________________________

Complete Mailing Address: ___________________________________________

City/State Zip: ______________________________________________________

Phone: ____________________________________________________________ Window Cling

QTY ITEM PRICE TOTAL

Wisconsin American Legion Family Window Cling .50

Wisconsin American Legion Family Bumper Sticker .50

Sub-Total $_____________

Postage (see chart)_____________

TOTAL REMITTED $________________

PACKAGING & SHIPPINGUp to $5.00 Add $0.95$5.01 to $10.00 Add $2.95

The following thank you let-ter was received from a veteran who received assistance from the Homeless Women Veterans Grant Fund. Thanks to the gen-erous support of Auxiliary mem-bers throughout Wisconsin, we were able to help her move into her own apartment.

Claudia OseroDept. Fundraising ChairmanPh: (715) 453-5723

Only 2 more shopping months until Christmas!

Luckily, it’s 8 months un-til “CHRISTMAS IN JULYBOUTIQUE” comes to our Department Convention inOconomowoc.

Your donations are welcome – Christmas wreaths, garland, stockings, colorful decorations, festive ornaments, baskets, and

Please continue to send dona-tions using a Poppy Fund Sug-gested Donation Sheet (mark #4456, Department President’s Special Project–Homeless Fe-male Veterans Grant Fund) so we can assist other women vet-erans and their children who need our support.

items that would make outstand-ing holiday gifts for friends and family. Homemade craft items are particularly welcome, as well as those after-Christmas bargains!

Proceeds will support our Department President’s special project “Homeless Women Vet-erans Grant Program.”

For more information re-garding donations of Christmas items, please contact Claudia Osero at 715-453-5723.

October 18, 2012

To: Wisconsin American Legion Auxiliary

I wanted to take the time out to say “Thank You” very, very much for assisting me with my fi rst month’s rent and secu-rity deposit. I absolutely adore my current living arrange-ments. The upper duplex in which I am currently residing is totally comfortable, as well as, quaint. I feel safe and very much secure in my current dwelling. My landlord and his wife are totally awesome and supportive of me being a female veteran.

I would not have this apartment if it weren’t for the Ameri-can Legion Auxiliary. I would like to express my heart fi lled gratitude and sincere appreciation. Your fi nancial gift of $1050.00 allowed me to transition into permanent housing here in the State of Wisconsin.

Words cannot express how I feel due to the fact that your help has taken a heavy burden from me. Thank you again, to the Wisconsin American Legion Auxiliary, in granting me assistance with these funds and my readjustment within the community and county of Milwaukee.

Respectfully Submitted,Janiece Female Desert Storm Era Veteran

I would like to THANK everyone who supported the fundraising events at the 2012 Fall Informational Forum.

District Presidents were asked to bring a basket representing the 12 months of the year and Units were welcomed to join the fun. District Presidents promoted their district by wearing attire that represented their respective baskets.

Proceeds from the twenty donated baskets and from our 50/50 fundraiser raised $2,040! The money was allocated to President Diana Sirovina’s special project, the Homeless Women Veterans Grant Program.

Thank you,Claudia OseroDepartment Fundraising Chairman

Fall Informational Forum –Fundraising Update

CHRISTMAS IN JULY

9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Zablocki VA Hospital,Bldg. #1

5000 W. National Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53295

PAGE A4 AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY “WISCONSIN” November 8, 2012

Eau Claire Unit 53 was recognized at the 2012 National Convention for their tremendous support of veterans, active-duty military personnel and their families in 2011-2012. National Executive Commit-teewoman Joan Chwala presented the National President’s Unit Award of Excellence to Judy Walters and members of Eau Claire Unit 53 at their Appreciation Luncheon in October. The luncheon was held at the Legion Post to thank members of the Legion family and unaffiliated volunteers who helped throughout the year.

NEC Joan Chwala and Judy Walters share the National Presi-dent’s Unit Award of Excellence with members of Fall Creek Unit 376, Brackett Unit 550 and Durand Unit 181 who worked with Eau Claire Unit 53. The four units worked together to raise money and supplies and provided physical labor for job fairs and other proj-ects throughout 2011-2012.

American Legion AuxiliaryDepartment of Wisconsin

Midwinter Luncheon

Please note: If you plan to attend any of The American Legion Midwinter Conference meetings or training sessions, please register with the Legion ($20.00 before 1/7/2013). Hotel room reser-vations must be made through The American Legion – Headquarters, P.O. Box 388, Portage, WI

53901. Registration and housing forms are available on The American Legion website (www.wilegion.org) or at Legion Headquarters, 608-745-1090.

LUNCHEON TICKET - $15.00 EACHDEADLINE: Wednesday, January 2, 2013

(Luncheon tickets must be purchased in advance and will be distributed at the Luncheon)

Name Unit# Phone Salad Or Wrap

# of Tickets _________ @ $15 each = $____________ enclosed

Saturday, January 19th • 12:00pm - 2:00pmHo-Chunk Hotel & Convention Center, S3214 Highway 12, Baraboo WI 53913

Midwinter Luncheon Reservation FormChecks payable to: American Legion Auxiliary - Wisconsin Mail to: ALA-WI, P.O. Box 140 Portage, WI 53901

Meals include fresh brewed coffee, milk, soda or iced tea. Select choice of:

Traditional Chef Salad: Julienne strips of tender turkey, ham, Swiss and cheddar cheese. Served w/mixed baby greens and assortment of dressings, bread stick and cracker basket.

Chicken Tender Wrap: Large tortilla filled w/three crispy tenders, sliced tomato, colby-jack cheese, lettuce, bistro sauce, chips and fresh fruit cup.

Eau Claire Unit 53 Presented With Unit Award of Excellence

All American Legion Auxiliary members are invited to attend the Midwinter Conference Auxiliary Luncheon on Saturday, January 19, 2013 at Ho-Chunk from 12:00-2:00 pm. 2012-2013 Central Division National Vice President Mary Jo Berning of Iowa will be attending and

a special membership update will be provided. Lunch tickets must be purchased no later than January 2, 2013. Tickets will not be available for sale at the conference so make your lunch reservations today using the registration form below!

MIDWINTER CONFERENCE - AUXILIARY LUNCHEON

Pictured from left to right are: Virginia Kodl, Gayle Janson, Andrea Page, Patricia Smith, Joan Chwala, Jim Finnerty, Diane Weggen, Linda Kostka and Anna Rosemeyer.

What Happens in Boston…Stays in Boston

Several members of the Wis-consin American Legion Auxil-iary traveled to Boston at their own expense to attend the 2012 National Veterans Creative Arts Festival (NVCAF) held in Oc-tober. Here they celebrate with Jim Finnerty, a veteran from Zablocki Memorial VA Medical Center, whose winning entry in the national artistic competition earned him a trip to Boston. Pic-tured from left to right are: Vir-ginia Kodl, Gayle Janson, Andrea

Page, Patricia Smith, Joan Chwa-la, Jim Finnerty, Diane Weggen, Linda Kostka and Anna Rose-meyer.

THANK YOU to the many Auxiliary members who respond-ed generously to the request from Zablocki VAMC and paid the baggage fees so Jim Finnerty and other veterans could attend the NVCAF. Excess funds will be used to support Zablocki’s local competition in the spring in prep-aration for next year’s NVCAF.

Pictured L to R; Michael Lawson, Director of VA Boston Healthcare System; Wisconsin Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation Chairman Vir-ginia Kodl; National Executive Committeewoman Joan Chwala; and Past National President Kris Nelson.

Thanks to the generous contri-butions from American Legion Auxiliary units and members across the state, the Department of Wisconsin received an award for its significant support of the

National Veterans Creative Arts Festival (NVCAF). Virginia Kodl and Joan Chwala accepted this prestigious award on behalf of the Department of Wisconsin and its Auxiliary members.

Wisconsin Wins Award at NVCAF