percentage of continuous member retention March-May of 2015. Te business sessions included presentation
of Program Awards to top performers and recognition of Outstanding Department Presidents and runners-up. Other highlights were Panteleakos’ notable guests - then-VFW Commander-in-Chief John W. Stroud, the 2014-2015 Young American Creative Patriotic Art winner, the Military Order of the Cooties, representatives from the VFW National Home for Children, the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, the VFW Florida Veterans Village and special guest Arthur Bloom, who founded MusiCorps and received Panteleakos’ Patriotism Begins at Home Award for his commitment to America’s military heroes. Bloom’s MusiCorps is a conservatory-level
rehabilitation program that helps wounded warriors recover their lives through music. Facing long and difficult recuperations, MusiCorps brings activity, purpose and joy to soldiers and aids their recovery from war-related trauma, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI). In other business, Delegates considered
proposed resolutions for amendments to the National Bylaws and proposed revisions to the Ritual. See Page 11 for voting results. Joyce Bilyeu, 2015-2016 National Membership Ambassador, opened the Membership Kickoff with an inspirational personal story of how the Auxiliary changed her life. Convention concluded with members
Top: 2014-2015 VFW Commander-in-Chief John W. Stroud is escorted by 2014-2015 National Conductress Sandi Kriebel. Middle left: Members dance to Ricky Lee tunes. Middle right: Ann Panteleakos congratulates Arthur Bloom, MusiCorps founder and recipient of her Patriotism Begins at Home Award. Above: 2015-2016 Department of Pennsylvania President Karen Hoover and Auxiliary member Edith Snyder enjoy the Opening Session festivities.
10 | VFW Auxiliary Magazine
electing Sandra Onstwedder, Department of Michigan, to National Guard. Read more about her on Page 16. All National Line Officers, led by National President Francisca Guilford, were installed with all appointed officers. Guilford selected the Buffalo Soldier Motorcycle Club of Pennsylvania as her installation team. Tey are named for the historic Buffalo Soldiers, originally a nickname for African-American regiments before desegregation of the military. Visit our website to learn more about your 2015-2016 National Officers.
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