9/11/08

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Opening Prayer Given by Unit Chaplain Mary Martin ::
Dear Heavenly Father,

Today is a difficult day. The memories are painful and some of the wounds we fear may never heal. Yet we pray you will help us to go on living for truth, firm in our hope of your salvation. May we live for you, Lord, and by doing so, be an example to our friends and family. we pray, we may learn obedience through these things that we have suffered. Help us not to question why, yet even if we do, give us courage to continue to trust you. Help us take the comfort and strength you've poured into our lives and use it to comfort and strengthen others who need hope.

We pray we might become a better people and help make the world a better place because of this terrible event. Thank you for the heroes that gave so sacrificially on September 11. Help us to remember their courage and learn from them. We want our lives to be worthy of you Lord, so make of it what you desire, and use us to fulfill your purposes. May the evil of that day cause us and our families to work harder to do good on this Earth and to bring your light into the dark places. Help us to never stop believing in you and living our lives for you.

Lord, heal all those who were crushed and broken on that day. May they come to experience your presence and know your peace.

Amen.

Patriotic Song chosen by Musician Angela McCoy ::
(Even though we cannot sing together, we can take a moment to refresh our memories with the exact lyrics of our favorite patriotic songs.)

To uphold and defend the constitution of the United States of America;
to maintain law and order;
to foster and perpetuate a one hundred per cent Americanism;
to preserve the memories and incidents of our associations during the Great Wars;
to inculcate a sense of individual obligation to the community, state and nation;
to combat the autocracy of both the classes and the masses;
to make right the master of might;
to promote peace and goodwill on earth;
to safeguard and transmit to posterity the principles of justice, freedom, and democracy;
to participate in and contribute to the accomplishment of the aims and purposes of The American Legion;
to consecrate and sanctify our association by our devotion to mutual helpfulness.

Reports from Officers and Chairmen ::
President, Guang Ming Whitley::

Secretary, Lou Thompson ::

Executive Committee, Kerry Finley ::

Americanism Chairman, Sarah Sled ::

Auxiliary Emergency Fund Chairman, Bonnie Ceniseroz ::

Chaplain, Mary Martin :: Report

Children & Youth Chairman, Elissa Kirkland ::

Community Service Chairman, Nicole Willis ::

Constitution & Bylaws, Linda Workman ::

Education Chairman, Joyce McLeod ::

Girls State Chairman, Guang Ming Whitley ::

Historian, Lou Thompson ::

Junior Activities Chairman, Joanna Pearson ::

Leadership Chairman, Linda Workman ::

Legislative Chairman, Lou Thompson :: Report

Membership Chairman, Angela McCoy ::

Musician, Angela McCoy :: See Music above

National Security Chairman, Nancy Brown Park :: Report

Past Presidents Parley Chairman, Kerry Finley :: Report

Poppy Chairmen, Rebecca Dunham ::

Public Relations Chairman, Mary Martin :: Report

Resolutions Chairman, Yoko Igawa ::

VA&R Chairman, Chesed Ceniseroz ::

Dear Unit 472,

The American Legion Auxiliary has built a good and faithful reputation since the ending of WWI. Few veteran service organizations have volunteered more hours to help veterans and their families in the history of the United States. The United States Veterans Affairs Department relies heavily on the Auxiliary to support their efforts in all of the VA hospitals around the country.

But the Auxiliary’s benefits do not stop with the dedication of our time. The financial support from grassroots Auxiliary units has played a vital role in assisting returning Veterans and their families. The presence of the Auxiliary’s financial gifts has undisputedly changed the lives of veterans and their families for the better.

This year the Creative Arts Festival will be held at the VA Loma Linda, California. The Creative Arts Festival is an annual competition that recognizes the progress and recovery made through therapy, and raised the visibility of the creative achievements of our nation’s veterans after disease, disability or life crisis.

The Festival is designed to spotlight the four creative arts therapies of art, music, dance and drama.

The American Legion Auxiliary Department of California is responsibly this year for the hospitality room for all participants and their families. Because of this large responsibility we are seeking funds or in-kind donations for the 2008 National Veterans Creative Arts Festival.

Such is my enthusiasm for this effort that I am serving on a committee to secure donations to support the Creative Arts. It is in this capacity that I am writing to you. I know that our unit will show a demonstrated interest in the welfare of the festival, and would appreciate the opportunity to help us meet our campaign goal.

I would appreciate the opportunity to answer any questions you may have, and to explain in further detail how our units support can make a significant difference in the lives of our veterans.

Donations can be sent to: The Unit Secretary/Treasurer marked for the VA Loma Linda, Creative Arts Festival.

Sincerely,
Nancy Brown Park, Volunteer Committee Member

Unfinished Business ::

New Business ::
1. Budget 2008-2009 Approval

2. Poppy Order

3. Girls State Reservation

Announcements ::

District Meeting :: Saturday, February 3, 2007
Department President Sandy Jacob Official Visit
Pacifica Post 238

California Department President Sandy Jacob
East Palo Alto Unit 472 Presidnet Kerry Finley
District 26 President Marion Lulis

National Convention Awards 2008

Department Convention Awards 2008 - Pending Presentation by District President

District Awards 2007-08

National Convention Awards 2007
Bea Waggett -- National President’s Award for Excellence :: Unit with the Best Overall Poppy Program

Department Convention Awards 2007 - Pending Presentation by District President
Susan Middendorf -- Auxiliary Member of the Year
Kelly Satterthwaite -- 1st Place for Best Overall Unit Report, Americanism (her report will be included in the national competition), Spirit of Youth Citation for Unit Donation
Susan Middendorf -- 2nd Place Supplemental for Children & Youth
Lou Thompson -- 1st Place Unit Written History
Rebecca Dunham -- 3rd Place Supplemental for Legislative
Mary Marin -- 1st Place for Best Overall Unit Report, Membership
Unit Membership -- National Citation, 100% Goal Unit, Estella Hanell Award, Josie's Angel Award
Department Citation -- Department Membership Citations will be issued ONLY to the units which make their
membership goal by March 31, 2006 and submit a Unit Activity Report showing participation
in the other six (6) basic programs

District Awards 2006-07
Mary Martin -- Membership, 55% Target Citation and Red, White & Blue Necklace
Mary Martin -- Membership, 65% Target Citation and Red, White & Blue Bracelet
Mary Martin -- Membership, Early Bird Presented by Department
Mary Martin -- Membership, 85% Target Citation & Uncle Sam Pin
Mary Martin -- Membership, 95% Target Citation & Note Cards
Mary Martin -- Membership, 100% Target Citation & USA Book for 1st Unit in District to reach 100%
Mary Martin -- Membership Josie Melgard Award (Membership Goal plus 2) Presented at Convention

National Convention Awards 2006
Susan Middendorf -- 1st Place for Best Overall Promotion of the Children & Youth Program, Western Division

Department Convention Awards 2006
Susan Middendorf -- 1st Place for Best Overall Promotion of the Children & Youth Program (her report will be included in the national competition)
Lou Thompson -- 1st Place for Best Overall Leadership Program (her report will be included in the national competition)
Linda Workman -- 1st Place for Best Overall Unit Report, Constitutions and Bylaws
Bea Waggett -- 1st Place Cavalcade of Memories Presentation for Past Auxiliary Member of the Year (yes, Bea is a Past Auxiliary Member of the Year!)
Bea Waggett -- 2nd Place Supplemental for VA&R Field Service
Bea Waggett -- 2nd Place Poppy Window Display Contest (included a $10 check)
Lou Thompson -- 2nd Place Historian Supplemental
Lou Thompson -- 3rd Place Historian Narrative