PRESIDENT’SMESSAGE


Dear Members, We’re more than halfway through our program year, and already, I can tell


you I’m impressed with what we’ve accomplished. And I’m excited for what we still have in store to provide “Unwavering Support for Uncommon Heroes®


.”


I’m so glad I got to spend time with so many of you last month at Mid-Year! Our time aboard the Independence of the Seas®


was not only productive, but


invigorating. What great input you all had for the many ways we can give back to veterans and active-duty military. As we cruised the Caribbean, we took some WLPH WR UHÁHFW UHFKDUJH RXU EDWWHULHV DQG PDNH SODQV RI DFWLRQ IRU WKH PRQWKV to come leading up to the 2017 National Convention in New Orleans. We’ll have a lot of important business to conduct, and we’ll also have a


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I’m excited for what we still have in store to provide


“Unwavering Support for Uncommon Heroes®


”


landmark achievement for all of us to celebrate—the Circle of Excellence. We want to see everyone there to cheer on our Department leaders who have achieved a spot in this premier group. This will be a ceremony you won’t want to miss! Look for resources in this issue to help you plan your trip to the Convention


in July. I can’t wait to see many familiar faces and meet even more Auxiliary sisters and brothers there. On a somber note, VFW National


Commander-in-Chief Brian Duffy and I traveled to Oahu, Hawaii, to join World War II veterans, USS Arizona survivors and many others for the 75th commemoration of the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. Just to visit this site at any time is a moving experience, but to be there to honor those who perished on the day that thrust America into World War II, men who to this day are still in the hull of the battleship, and to stand beside veterans who fought for our freedom and ideals so many years ago, was very emotional. It was so important to be there to honor our past and inspire a peaceful future. When you are in town for National Convention, I encourage you visit the National World War II Museum in New Orleans. Let’s always be mindful of the VDFULÀFHV RI WKHVH YHWHUDQV DQG RI DOO RI RXU YHWHUDQV DQG VROGLHUV 6XSSRUWLQJ them in every way we can is what we strive to do best every single day as members of the VFW Auxiliary.


Loyally,


Colette Bishop National President


March 2017 | 3


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