Over the years, Hamil has been fortunate to learn from many loyal members – too many mentors to count.


NEW NATIONAL GUARD HAS EVERY REASON TO TAKE OFFICE


E


verything happens for a reason, the saying goes. Tis phrase couldn’t ring truer for newly-elected National Guard Jean Hamil from the Department of Florida.


When she joined the VFW Auxiliary in the late 1980s, there was a reason. Back when her mother encouraged her to sign up, she thought she’d just be a card-carrying member. But that all changed when she attended her first meeting. Hamil was so inspired by how much her Auxiliary did to improve the lives of veterans, their families and communities, that she got involved. She became an officer at the Auxiliary level, went on to hold Department-level, District and national offices, and the rest is history.


When she ran for National Guard in 2012 and did not win, there was a reason. She didn’t know it then, but her family would need her more than her Auxiliary family. It wasn’t the right time.


And the reason she is taking the office of National Guard in 2016 is


to do exactly what she committed to decades ago – supporting veterans.


“I believe in the oath I took when I first joined the Auxiliary,” Hamil said. “What I truly believe is that together, we can be unstoppable in our pursuits in the name of our veterans and their families everywhere.”


Her dedication to the Auxiliary and her community was modeled by her parents, who set examples early on for Hamil and her six brothers and sisters through their many, many hours of volunteer work at the local Post and Auxiliary. Currently, six of the seven siblings are now Auxiliary members with three brothers joining after the Auxiliary became gender-neutral last year. Her youngest brother, a veteran who served in Operation Desert Storm, made a career in the U.S. Army and is now a VFW Life Member. “Growing up, we were always taught to give back by volunteering,” she said. “So it became second nature to us to work in our community.”


Her first objectives will be to listen and learn even more, she said. “I am excited to be a part of National President Colette’s team and I look forward to listening to our members and learning from our officers and National Headquarters staff, which in turn should help prepare us for the future of our organization,” she said. “We are changing as an organization and we must seek continuous improvement for the sustainability of our organization. National Headquarters is working toward that goal and I want to play an active role in moving our organization forward.”


She said she’s excited about the new Circle of Excellence program as well as the Auxiliary’s custom- designed M.A.L.T.A membership database. She looks forward to being a part of years of growth and positive change for the VFW Auxiliary. “After becoming an active Auxiliary member, I would have to say that it changed my life’s direction,” Hamil said. “I have always believed that each of us can make a difference in the life of a veteran and I will continue to reach out to veterans and their families in the future.” Hamil recently celebrated 30 years with her employer, Duda. She belongs to a small group of “quilting angels” whose handiwork goes to veterans at the Orlando VA Healthcare Center, children temporarily residing at Safe House and Seminole County seniors. She also makes quilts for the Quilts of Valor Foundation.


AC November 2016 | 13


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