As we move from Thanksgiving to Christmas, we have to remember our Mission…taking care of our Veterans, Active Service Members and their Families. But we also need to make sure our Auxiliary Brothers and Sisters are taken care of too. Check on those that you may not have seen in a while. Include all your members in Post activities. For any of your members that may be alone at Christmas, find time to visit and make them feel like a part of our Auxiliary Family.
I’m still waiting on Inspection reports…Districts 3, 5 and 7? Have they been completed and the reports just not sent to me? If anyone needs assistance completing their Inspections, please let Madam President Barbara or myself know. We can assist in getting them completed. And remember, be truthful about what is going on in the Auxiliaries. If you don’t tell us, we can’t help. Always better to catch the issues early. Healthy is what we are striving for in ALL of Auxiliaries.
The Half-Way mark is here! June will be here before we know it. Let’s all continue to work to make Madam President Barbara’s year Great!!!
I’m here to help you any where that I can. Just let me know what you need. May you all have a Blessed Christmas with Family and Friends.
This year’s National theme “Banding Together for our Veterans”, and the Department of Mississippi’s theme, “Soaring Above and Beyond for Veterans” is the lifeblood of the Hospital Program. The volunteer efforts of our members and working together will make a huge difference in the lives of our hospitalized veterans.
Volunteers!
The VA and other health care facilities are always needing volunteers. Please enlist some of your members to make the sacrifice to help the patients at the hospitals and nursing homes.
Volunteers can serve in local hospitals, Veterans’ homes, nursing homes, domiciliaries and both VA and non-VA medical clinics and facilities. Anyone can serve; Members, non-members, youth and families. Volunteers can do many things depending on the facility. Some facilities have varying types of opportunities to suit different ages and abilities. Some facilities have a volunteer program in place with specific jobs, events and needs. Whichever facility is available, make sure you know and follow the guidelines of the facility.
Auxiliary members can earn Hospital Volunteer Service Pins from National Headquarters. Your Auxiliary Hospital Chairman should keep track of all volunteers’ hours (both VA and non-VA) and apply for the pins. Non-members can earn a one-time only volunteer pin for 100 hours.
CELEBRATING NON-TRADITIONAL HOLIDAYS
As we continue through the months, our National Hospital Ambassador would still like for all volunteers to think outside the box in organizing “fun” for our veterans. Our veterans love celebrating traditional holidays, but so do all the organizations who support our veterans. Christmas and the New Year are holidays that everyone sees our veterans in the hospitals and nursing homes. Maybe they would also enjoy celebrating some non-traditional holidays. Some of these December holidays are:
I am sure there are many ways to celebrate these and other different holidays for our veterans.
Dec. 3 – Make a Gift Day
Dec. 9 – Christmas Card Day
Dec. 16 – Boston Tea Party
Dec. 24 – National Egg Nog Day (Serve them several kinds of egg nog)
Dec. 30- Bacon Day (I bet they would love BACON)
These non-traditional holidays are an excellent chance to show your veterans something different to celebrate. Make sure you take care of their caretakers also.
TRADITIONAL HOLIDAYS
Keep in mind the “TRADITIONAL” holidays are coming up! Thanksgiving and Christmas are near. The veterans look for the extra attention they receive during these months. Try to be with them more than usual.
I hope everyone has a wonderful, healthy and safe Christmas.
Buddy Poppy proceeds represent no profit to any VFW unit. All money contributed by the public for Buddy Poppies is used for members of the Armed Forces, veterans’ welfare, or for the well-being of needy dependents, widows and orphans of veterans.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States was the first veterans organization to promote a nationally organized campaign for the annual distribution of poppies assembled by disabled and needy veterans.
The poppy movement was inspired by the poem “In Flanders Fields,” written by Col. John McCrae of the Canadian forces before the United States entered World War I. Distributing replicas of the original Flanders Poppy originated in some Allied countries immediately after the Armistice. No definite organized distribution of poppies on a nationwide scale was conducted in America until 1921, when the Franco-American Children’s League distributed poppies ostensibly for the benefit of children in the devastated areas of France and Belgium. Madame Guerin, who was recognized as “the poppy lady from France,” sought and received the cooperation of the VFW of the U.S. in early 1922, after the Franco-American Children’s League was dissolved. The VFW conducted a poppy campaign prior to Memorial Day 1922, using only poppies made in France. In the 1923 poppy campaign, due to difficulty and delay in getting poppies from France, the VFW used French poppies that were on hand, and the balance was provided by a firm in New York City manufacturing artificial flowers. During the 1923 campaign, the VFW evolved the idea which resulted in the VFW “Buddy”® Poppy fashioned by disabled and needy veterans who were paid for their work. This plan was formally presented for adoption to the 1923 Encampment at Norfolk, Virginia.
Immediately thereafter, the VFW Buddy Poppy factory was established in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where all the VFW Buddy Poppies for the 1924 campaign were assembled by disabled veterans. Gen. Frank T. Hines, Director of the U.S. Veterans’ Bureau, endorsed the plan and pledged the cooperation of his department. All men employed in assembling Buddy Poppies for the 1924 campaign were sent to the VFW Poppy workshop by the Veterans’ Bureau regional manager in Pittsburgh. The designation Buddy Poppy, which originated with the men themselves, was adopted at that time. The VFW has made that trademark a guarantee that all poppies bearing that name and the VFW label are genuine products of the work of disabled and needy veterans. No other organization, firm or individual can make legal use of the name Buddy Poppy.
Following the 1924 campaign, a number of larger VFW Departments (states) believed it would stimulate local distribution if the poppies they used were assembled by disabled veterans in hospitals within their own jurisdiction. The 1924 VFW Encampment at Atlantic City granted this privilege, under the provision that all poppies would be produced according to specifications set forth by the National Buddy Poppy Department, and that all poppies would be assembled by disabled veterans in government hospitals and by needy veterans in workshops supervised by the VFW.
The VFW has steadfastly adhered to the policy of veteran assembled poppies. The VFW organized the first nationwide distribution of poppies by a veterans organization in May 1922. The poppy was adopted by the National Encampment in Seattle, during August of that year as the official memorial flower of the VFW.
In September 1920, the national convention of the American Legion held in Cleveland passed a resolution adopting the poppy as the official flower of that organization. However, at the third national convention of the American Legion held in Kansas City in October 1921, the American Legion repudiated the poppy and adopted the daisy as its official flower.
In October 1922, following the first nationwide distribution of poppies by the VFW during May of that year, the fourth national convention of the American Legion held in New Orleans in October adopted the following resolution: “Resolved, that the poppy is hereby declared to be the official American Legion flower, instead of the daisy, which was adopted by the 1921 convention of the American Legion.”
Following the successful poppy campaign conducted by the VFW in May 1922, the American Legion realized the financial possibilities of the poppy movement. In the spring of 1923, following the New Orleans encampment and one year after the first VFW Poppy campaign on a nationwide scale, the American Legion conducted its first poppy distribution using poppies supplied by a French manufacturer.
From the very beginning, the Buddy Poppy project of the VFW has received the endorsement and cooperation of the director of the Veterans Administration, and the support of administrators and medical officers of government hospitals. All presidents since Warren G. Harding (1921-23) have conveyed to the nation at large endorsement and recognition of this VFW effort.
Today, the VFW Buddy Poppies are assembled by disabled, needy and aging veterans in VA rehabilitation centers. The majority of proceeds derived from each campaign conducted by the VFW Posts and their Auxiliaries is retained locally to provide for veteran services and welfare. The minimal assessment (cost of Buddy Poppies) to the VFW units provides compensation to the veterans who assembled the poppies, provides financial assistance in maintaining state and national veterans’ rehabilitation and service programs, and partially supports the VFW National Home for Children, a community of children and families of veterans and active-duty military.
Hello All! Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving Holiday and enjoyed spending time with family and friends. We had an election in the month of November, and I hope everyone got out and voted. Continue to talk with your legislators about bills and issues concerning our Veterans. VFW Action Corps Weekly is free and it’s full of news about what’s happening on Capitol Hill with the Veterans and service member issues and with National Security. Subscribe at the National Website at vfwauxiliary.org by selecting “What We Do” then click on “Legislative”. Goals are released in January of each year by the VFW website or MALTA Member resources for the current Priority Goals. One of the main objectives of the Legislative Program is to improve the lives of our Veterans, service members and families through advocacy. Thanks for all your effort. Keep up the good work!!!!
I hope everyone had a Happy, healthy and safe Thanksgiving holiday and were able to enjoy quality time.
Wow, the year is almost over and the celebration of the birth of Christ upon us. I’m so thankful to live in the United States of America and able to enjoy the liberties that our forefathers have fought and died for. These are some of the things that we need to instill in our youth. Liberties that are not given to most of the youth in other countries. We are faced today and every day with enlightening our youth in things that others don’t have and will never have because of the love of country, family and freedom that our ancestors had and were willing to give all that we, their family would enjoy.
Has everyone received the coloring contest sheet that were sent by the Department Secretary? You can download them from links above or off the Department website under download forms. This is a Department contest and not a National contest and opened to all youth in grades 1st through 6th in public, private and home schooling. We hope you all take a look at these pages and participate.
Some auxiliaries have ‘adopted’ youth groups and are doing lots of things with them and having lots of fun. If you visit a nursing home, children may be able to come along and they are so much around the elderly and the elderly enjoy them also. It’s not to late.
February is close and is a month for school activities and would be a great time to visit your local schools and bring some flags, pencils from the VFW store, book markers and other patriotic items offered.
Christmas, a time for a lot of activities with family and friends. May everyone have a Blessed, Holy, healthy and safe holiday but always remember the reason for the season.
I was so happy to see so many of you last month at our Council of Administration/School of Instruction in Gulfport. So much wonderful information was shared by our knowledgable and dedicated Program Chairmen. Great information to SHARE with your Auxiliaries. Remember, the information you learn at our Department meetings is not private. It is meant to be shared with those of your members that are unable to attend.
District Presidents…I know you are getting those Inspections taken care of. Please make sure you are sending those copies to the Dept. President, the Dept. Secretary and to me. We need you to be honest on these reports to insure that any issues can be addressed sooner rather than later. I would love for all the Inspections to be completed by December 31, 2023. Congratulations to District 4, President Dawn, for completing ALL the Auxiliary Inspections and sending them to me. Thank you President Dawn.
To all those that will be going to Southern Conference in Tulsa…Make sure you attend the Program Presentations by the Departments. A lot of information will be shared.
As I write this, the Institution for the New Stone County Auxiliary is just days away. We hope to see many of those new members at our Mid-Winter Conference in January.
Remember why you are a member of this Great Organization. We are all working towards the same goal…Support for our Veterans, Active Duty Military and their families. That’s it!!! And we can accomplish so much when we all work TOGETHER.
Let’s make this an Amazing year for the Department of Mississippi and Madam President Barbara.
I want to thank each of you that went out of your way to help make this past SOI/COA, Home Coming weekend AMAZING!
Madam President was humbled by all of the love gifts that were presented to her, the comments and all of the joking on First Dude Chris, made the evening most memorable. Madam President keeps things light in all she does and I believe that has trickled down to everyone that spends time around her.
We brought tears to Madam Presidents eyes when we presented her with a Proclamation from Governor Reeves making October 21, 2024 “Soaring Above and Beyond for Veteran Day”.
Please share the pictures you took throughout the weekend and especially during the Home Coming celebration. You can post pictures of Madam President on Facebook, share with me and/or email them directly to Madam Presidents’ photo frame .
You can send pictures of the Commander to Mattie Corker or post them on the VFW Department Facebook page.
We are making history for the future, let’s preserve our memories from today so that our sisters and brothers in the future will be in awe. (don’t forget to bring your 2023-2024 Auxiliary historian books to State Convention)
(Challenge for November & December- publish a public article of something your Auxiliary and Post has done over Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years. This can be a FB LIVE on your Post/Auxiliary/personal public Facebook, advertising on the radio station, be highlighted on the community section during the local news program, article in the newspaper, Tik Tok – Instagram – you tube public station. – as always if you are interested in any of this and not sure where or how to start give me a call) Bring or send this to me at Mid-Winter each entry will receive a special gift. -don’t forget to report it 😉
Lights, Camera, and Action Department of MS Membership Flier for November 2023
Hello everyone. Hope all of you are doing well. It was great seeing so many of you at the recent School of Instruction in Gulfport. Let’s look at what Membership means to our organization but, most importantly, to our Veterans. Membership is the lifeblood of our organization and, without members, we would not have the voice that we have and would not be able to accomplish the great things that we do in support of and for our Veterans. Without each of you and without new members, who will take care of our Veterans? It’s scary to think about, or should be. Why? Because each of you matter not only to your Auxiliary, District, Department, and Organization, but because each of you matter to our Veterans.
This year, we need to retain 778 continuous annual members (annual members who renew or convert to a life member) compared to 840 continuous annual members last year. As of October 28, 2023, we have had 218 annual members renew their dues and 43 annual members convert to a life member; sadly, however, we have already lost 1 annual member who passed away. So, what does this mean? This means we have 516 annual members who have not yet renewed their dues or converted to a life member. The question we need to answer is why. Why are we losing so many members who do not choose to renew their dues, and what can we do to change this trend and keep members active and involved? With that in mind, now is the time to please be sure to contact those continuous annual members who have not yet renewed their dues or converted to a life member. Remember, you can generate dues reminder notices in MALTA to mail to your annual members and/or you can reach out to them by phone, letter, text, message, email, or face-to-face. Please encourage their participation and let them know how important they are to your auxiliary, our organization, and to all Veterans and their families.
So far this year, we have gained 35 new annual members, 14 new life members. and 1 rejoin life member. Sadly, however, we have also already lost 30 life members who have passed away. As of October 28, 2023, our “Current Total” Membership (excluding our 31 deceased members) was 2,386 or 82.67% and our “Paid Total” Membership (including our 31 deceased members) was 2,417 or 83.75%.
So, Lights, Camera, Action: Remember, this year, we are incorporating movies into our Membership Program, and we want to make it fun for all and help our Southern Conference Director win the prestigious award for Best Picture of the 2023-2024 Program Year. So, let’s all “Band Together” to help make this happen by inviting new members, investing in all members, and including current members. Keep all members informed, encourage their participation, and get them involved in activities/events. Have a Plan that includes: • Contacting current members; • Outreach to former members; • Recruiting events for new members; • Picking a mentor for a new member; •Planning at least four recruiting events in your community each year.
Membership Program Awards: ● Awards for Members:
Lights, Camera, Action! pin to each VFW and VFW Auxiliary member who recruits five (5) new members to the VFW Auxiliary from July 1, 2023, through May 31,
The Department Treasurer must enter membership in MALTA with credit given to the recruiter by June 10, 2024. Lights, Camera, Action! pin will be mailed directly to the member from National Headquarters.
National Membership Achievement (NMA) Award to each VFW and VFW Auxiliary member who recruits 20 new members to the VFW Auxiliary from July 1, 2023, through May 31, 2024. The Department Treasurer must enter membership in MALTA with credit given to the recruiter by June 10, 2024. NMA Award to be presented at the 2024 National Convention in Louisville, Kentucky. If a member is not in attendance, the award will be mailed directly to the member from National Headquarters after the National Convention.
Lights, Camera, Action! VFW Auxiliary Recruiter Drawing. Each VFW Auxiliary National Membership Achievement Award recipient will be entered into a drawing to receive a $500 Visa Gift Card (VFW Recruiters are not eligible). Recruiter Award Forms are no longer needed for VFW Auxiliary members. Reports are compiled by VFW Auxiliary National Headquarters from information entered in MALTA. VFW members who recruit new VFW Auxiliary members will need to fill out the required VFW members-only form that is available on MALTA Member Resources. Completed form must be received at VFW Auxiliary National Headquarters and Department Treasurer must enter membership in MALTA by June 10, 2024.
● Awards for Auxiliaries:
$25 to each Auxiliary that reaches 98% Plus in Paid Total Membership by March 31, 2024*.
$25 to each Auxiliary that reaches 100% Plus in Paid Total Membership by June 30, 2024*.
Lights, Camera, Action! VFW Auxiliary Drawing. Each VFW Auxiliary that reaches 101% Plus in Paid Total Membership by June 30, 2024* will be entered into a one time drawing to receive $500.
I am very happy to report the following auxiliaries have already met or exceeded some or all of the aforementioned goals. Congratulations to Auxiliaries 2618 and 79 for meeting the 98% Plus in Paid Total Membership goals; to Auxiliaries 3978 and 12121 for meeting both the 98% Plus and 100% Plus in Paid Total Membership goals; and to Auxiliaries 12124 and 10567 for meeting the 98% Plus, 100% Plus, and 101% Plus in Paid Total Membership goals. You are all so amazing!
Report Your Membership Activities Monthly. Please remember to complete the monthly reporting form online or by downloading and completing the form and sending it to me via regular mail, or email at no later than the 5th day of each month if possible. If you have problems completing the reporting form online or sending it via regular mail or email, you may call me or text me with your information at 901-734-8160.
Can we reach our goals? I have had the honor to work with you and have seen what all of you have done for the past 2 years, and I believe that we can! Veterans Day is fast approaching and what an amazing gift it would be to renew your membership or convert to a life member in honor of your Veteran(s). Please reach out to your lapsed/unpaid members and encourage them to renew or convert in honor of their Veteran(s) by November 11, 2023, but no later than November 30, 2023. Let’s continue to honor our Veterans, our Service men and women, their families, our communities, and our organization by keeping our membership current, being involved/active, and asking others to join. Remember, our membership and service matter–You matter and, by “Banding Together,” we can do so much for those who have sacrificed and done so much for our Country and for all of us. . Soaring Above and Beyond for Veterans, Michele M. Brinson Department of Mississippi VFWA Membership Chairman
Hello All! We are off to a great start with our Legislative Program. Auxiliaries are reporting the great work being done in your community with your congressman and lawmakers. Continue to contact via phone, text, emails and town hall meetings.
Continue to use the VFW website or MALTA for Priority Goals and ideas needed to help make sure you are on the same page as the VFW.
Auxiliary Presidents, have your legislative chairman give a report at each meeting regarding current Priority Legislation, how it affects our Veterans, Service Members and their Family members along with the status of the bills.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I hope that you all are in full swing with your Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen submissions. Remember that Post Judging must be completed by Nov 15.
Our next scholarship deadline is for the Continuing Education Scholarship. Submissions must be received at National Headquarters by Feb. 15. A 300 or less word essay must accompany the application.
We should be actively promoting our Young American Creative Patriotic Art and 3-D Patriotic Art Contests in our schools. Please make sure you have contacted your local art teachers or the school counselors and supplied them with information and flyers. I keep a few of the flyers in my car or purse to give out to young people who I think display artistic talent. I carry brochures to any event and distribute them. You can order up to 50 brochures from National at no charge.
Fall is the time of year for festivals, farmer’s markets, and celebrations, take advantage of that and distribute flyers at these events.
Please remember to submit your reports monthly. I only have about a dozen auxiliaries who have submitted reports. I know there are more of you out there. Get those reports in!
Have a great Thanksgiving and I will see you all at Mid-Winter in January!
