POINTS OF VIEW: National Guard Hopefuls
What makes you proud to be a member of the VFW Auxiliary?
I am proud to be a member HELEN BELL
of the VFW Auxiliary because it is a national organization that supports the VFW in all of its initiatives. We are dedicated to the support of our active-duty military, our veterans and their families. Our core belief is that we pay homage to our fallen by
serving the living. T erefore, it is vital to continue working for the benefi ts, services and support our veterans have earned. I believe our work as members of the Auxiliary is vital to those we serve. Our organization has had a positive eff ect on millions
of people and I hope it continues for generations to come. I am especially proud to support our youth programs. T e Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest, Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen scholarships are vital to advanced education for so many.
What makes you proud to be a member of the VFW Auxiliary?
One of America’s Founding LOIS CALLAHAN
Fathers, Benjamin Franklin, said: “It is undoubtedly the duty of all persons to serve the country they live in, according to their abilities.” Membership in the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary provides us with many service opportunities. Whether that
service is provided in hospitals, volunteering with our veterans, in schools, teaching our youth or throughout our communities, I am proud to serve. Like so many of you, I am compelled to honor, serve,
thank and protect the rights of America’s veterans. I believe that is not our complete mission; we must also pass on a culture of service to our children. I want to know that I have done everything I can to honor the past and help build a bright future. I am, indeed, proud to serve.
12 | VFW Auxiliary Magazine
What do you hope the VFW Auxiliary will accomplish within the next 10 years?
It is my hope that the VFW Auxiliary continues
to grow and assist the VFW in every possible way. It is my belief that we can eradicate homelessness among our veterans, improve VA health care and provide our returning heroes with all the support they could need. We must embrace technology and social media to accomplish this. It is essential that we develop a way to incorporate younger members in this endeavor. We need to educate every veteran family transitioning to civilian life on what benefi ts and programs are available to assist them. It is our duty to continue to work in the
political arena and encourage Congress to support current and future veterans’ legislation and to ensure that no veteran is forgotten. I believe we can accomplish anything if we are open to change as we move forward. We must reach out to every qualifi ed family member and inspire future generations to embrace volunteerism and membership in our great organization.
What do you hope the VFW Auxiliary will accomplish within the next 10 years?
Since 1914, the Veterans of Foreign Wars
Auxiliary has been supporting their parent organization through service to America’s military and veterans. Under the leadership of our Past National Presidents, we have become a vital and dynamic organization. I have every reason to believe that we will continue to make the changes necessary to serve generations to come. We have changed our eligibility requirements to
create an organization of greater inclusion and yet, there is more to be done. Our Posts and Auxiliaries are becoming more child-friendly and family oriented. Again, there is more to be done. Today, we reach out to our communities, giving time and energy to provide patriotic programs, assistance and information. Within the next 10 years, I believe that our communities will seek us out as the premier service organization for volunteerism. T rough these changing years, I will remain proud to serve.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24