Author: admin

Chief of Staff Oct 24

Sharon Wade 662-207-1475 email

President Tanya, Secretary Aletta, Conductor Becki, PDP Ann Berryman and yours truly attended National President Brenda Bryant’s CAFE at the National Home in Eaton Rapids, Michigan September 7. The National Home is working on it’s 100 year celebration. 

Many auxiliary members across the United States were in attendance and participated in an awesome celebration. 

New auxiliary instituted in Lucedale Auxiliary # 12192 (District 2) on September 10, 2024, with 21 new members. We are still working with 6 other Posts that have asked to talk about an auxiliary for themselves. 

There will be several items of interest and learning at our Council of Administration meeting Oct 25 – 26 along with the Commander and President’s Homecoming  so please make plans to attend. 

Remember “UNITED WE STAND”

Hospital Oct 24

Betty Ashmus 228-990-6969 email

Hello to all the volunteers in and out of the Hospital program. What’s new in your location? A lot has been going on in the coast area. A new program is about to start at the Biloxi VA Center…….COFFEE AND DONUTS! Yeah! October 1st starts the distribution of hot coffee and fresh donuts, twice a week, Tuesday and Thursdays, for our veterans visiting at the Biloxi VA facility for appointments or any other reason. If you would like to help with this worthy project, feel free to ask about joining the volunteering team. We have a monthly social with the PTSD group on the 2nd Wednesday at 1.30pm, and we added to our schedule, visiting and socializing at the Blind Rehab Center, Building 14 on September 24 th. We will have monthly Ice-Cream Socials there on the 4th Tuesday at 1.30 pm. If you are in the area, please don’t hesitate to join in. All are welcome and the patient’s really love the interaction.

We have a monthly social at the CLC. Building 15, on the 4th Friday also at 1.30 pm. I will be asking for donations of personal items for our ‘Blessing Bags’. There will be a list of small items, for example, shampoo, tooth brushes, conditioner, shower gel, soap, deodorant, (you get the picture) that will fit in a gallon zip lock bag to be given to the homeless. More on these programs at the Council of Administration in October. If you can help it will be appreciated. Also donations are always need for the pantry at the VA for the homeless. With the cooler weather coming I know that coats and sweaters will be appreciated along with gloves and scarves. As you are cleaning out those closets, think of the less fortunate and be kind. There are so many ways to help our veterans and their families especially those in nursing homes that have lost their loved ones. Please visit them if you can. They will welcome a smiling face any time of the day. We may be in their shoes (or bed) some day and would really like to see a familiar face to two.

If anyone has free time or maybe just a day that you are sitting around the house doing ho-hum things and want to get out and do something different, think of the time being well spent and get that ‘feel good’ feeling, come see us at the VA, nursing home or any hospital. YOU WILL BE APPRECIATED

See me for your volunteer’s information.

Yours in service to our true heroes

Buddy Poppy Sept 24

Joan Carlson  662-589-0172  email

Octobers  C of A ::displays will be Public Promotion: Displays must be designed for public exposure and must bear a message soliciting donation for and wearing the VFW Buddy Poppy

January Mid Winters displays will be anything made from the metal poppies.

March C of A displays will be memorial or inspirational. Wreaths ,patriotic or devotional themes. Displays must be designed to honor the dead.

June C of A  Artistic or Decorative Use of Poppies. Think out of the box. Be creative!

Displays must be accompanied by a 4×6 ,on which is an explanation of the theme. Post name and number.

Scholarship Sept 24

Lanell Thornton (662)549-2856 email

Ahoy there, Maties!

Welcome aboard the VFWA “Scholar” Ship!

It’s time to spread the “Scholar” Ship news! Get out there and let your auxiliary members know about the scholarships that are available to our family members, as well as community members.

Remember the Continuing Education “Scholar” Ship is available to auxiliary members who have been in the auxiliary for at least one year and their immediate family members (spouse, children). [Check out MALTA for more information, as well as the application.]

Let’s not forget those Patriotic Art Contests! Check in with area schools, your children, their friends, local youth groups, and spread the word about these contests that give our young people an opportunity to artistically express their patriotic ideas. [These applications are also available on MALTA.]

And, as always, let’s remember the Voice of Democracy Audio Essay Contest and Patriot’s Pen essay contests. Talk to your children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, neighborhood kids, church youth. Tell them of the amazing opportunities available to express their patriotic beliefs. [Any idea where you can find these? You guessed it! Check MALTA and www.vfw.org.]

Questions: Contact me

Legislative Sept 24

Rebecca Todd 901-262-8183 email

Hello my fellow compatriots!
Everyone says they are signed up for VFW Action Corps newletters so now I want you to show me.  Call or text me the date of the last Action Alert that went out and what is the legislation that it was asking for your support on? A surprise to the first one that gets it right!
Keep fighting for our veterans!

Chief of Staff Sept 24

Sharon Wade 662-207-1475 email

We are now entering our third month of Department President Tanya Constant’s year. We have had the VFW/VFWA National Convention and also our first Council of Administration meeting, during both we learned many new ideas to take back to our Auxiliaries to help us have an outstanding year again.

I look forward to working with all auxiliaries that need help and guidance in completing all forms and programs during the year. Please let me know if your auxiliary needs assistance in any way. My email address and phone number are listed above. 

At this time we have approximately 6 Posts asking us to start a new auxiliary at their post. Remember you need 15 new members to start a new auxiliary, then others can be added. First the Post has to have a meeting and have a majority vote to have an auxiliary for their Post. After that is when your Chief of Staff, along with other Auxiliary Officers/Members start working to get the Auxiliary up and running. It is not an overnight process but very rewarding when completed for the Post and the Department of Mississippi Auxiliary.

This month we will be celebrating National President Brenda Bryants’ Celebrating America’s Freedom Event September 6-8, 2024, at the National Home in Eaton Rapids, MI. Several of us will be going but we will be able to be gotten in touch with by phone or email.

Remember:

UNITED WE STAND – VFW & VFWA

Membership Sept 24

Barbara Franklin 601-620-8889 email

Recruit 5 new/rejoin members by December 31st – will receive a magnetic US flag pin from VFW store and entered into a drawing to win a $15 VFW Store gift certificate.

Recruit 10 new/rejoin members by December 31st – will receive a magnetic US flag pin from VFW store and entered into a drawing to win $25 cash.

Recruit 25 or more new/rejoin members by December 31st –will receive a recognition keepsake and entered into a drawing to win $50 cash.

Every member that converts from Annual to Life member by December 31st – will receive a Life member pin from VFW store and will be entered into a drawing for $75 cash.

Every Auxiliary to reach 100% by December 31st – will receive $25 cash and a 100% ribbon (for display).

Now, Who’s up for the challenge?

you can scan the code below or click on the QR code

“Prepare Your Ask”

Scan the QR code. Behind this QR code will be things like the Fact Sheet, Membership Application, What We Do, Auxiliary Locator and anything else we might need in our “Recruiting Tool Kit”.

Americanism Sept 24

Dawn Lawson 601-274-6407 email

Congress declared, in 1894, Labor Day to be the first Monday in September. This Federal Holiday is to Honor all workers for their contributions to the well being of our Country.

I am asking that all Veterans and Civilians honor this day by greeting others with Respect and thoughtfulness for each and everyone’s contribution. Every time you see someone during the month of September greet them and wish them well.
Any contribution, great or small, is imperative to keeping our Nation thriving!

Historian Sept 24

Be The When of The Five “W’

When in dictionary terms is
adverb: when
at what time.
“When did you last see him?”
how soon.
“When can I see you?”
in what circumstances.
“when would such a rule be justifiable?”
adverb
adverb: when
at or on which (referring to a time or circumstance).
“Saturday is the day when I get my hair done”
conjunction
conjunction: when
1. at or during the time that.
“I loved math when I was in school”
“call me when you’re finished”
at any time that; whenever.
“can you spare five minutes when it’s convenient?” 

2. after which; and just then (implying suddenness).
“he had just drifted off to sleep when the phone rang”

3. in view of the fact that; considering that.

“why bother to paint it when you can photograph it with the same effect?”

4. although; whereas.

“I’m saying it now when I should have told you long ago”

All are correct but my when is when we work together as a community as one
both VFW and VFW Auxiliaries coming together as one
fun things,patriotic things outings,meetings, being together in times are bad and good

So be the “When” of the five W’s that we know we can be

Youth Sept 24

Beth Crow 662-522-9481 email

Fall is fast approaching and school is back in full swing. I hope that all of you are working on your Patriotism through Literacy project. It’s wonderful to be able to interact in the schools but don’t forget public libraries, daycare centers, and church youth groups. Fall festival time is here so why not set up a booth for your Auxiliary and schedule times to read patriotic books to the children attending. You could actually work several of our programs through that one booth. You might even gain some new members.

It is time to start promoting our Illustrating America Program. Begin making your contacts at your local schools. I would suggest contacting the art teacher directly. Most schools have a website where they post information for parents. Why not send a press release to be placed on the website. A fillable press release can be found in MALTA.

The coloring sheets for the Department Coloring Contest are now on vfwauxms.org and your District President should have a copy for you. I’ve created an instruction sheet to go with them so that teachers and youth leaders have an idea of the intent of the contest. Those should be posted to the website shortly or you can contact me for a copy.

If you have any questions about any of the Youth Activities please contact me. Let’s have a great year!