Americanism Program 

2011 -2012

Chairman ~ Linda Parkins, Aux 2673

1514 323nd Street

Cody, WY  82414

307-587-5691

L2Lparkins@bresnan.net

January 2012

Thank you , President Cheryl, for appointing me Americanism/Patriot Instructor Chairman for this year.

As we work through this year recruiting new members and they start attending our meetings, are you taking the time during your meeting to explain the Auxiliary Traditions to them? If not explain how our meeting is run, starting with the raps of the gavel. How one rap means attention, two raps means rise to standing position, and three means be seated. Explain what they are to do when the President says “salute”. Show the new member’s attention and parade rest stances. Also be sure that the new member understands about the “Sacred Floor Area” by not crossing in front of the Presidents station and the Alter. All of these things will make your new members feel more comfortable while attending their first meetings. Also make sure that they understand that during the time that the Chaplain in on the floor to open or close the Bible that all movement and talking should stop. This is also a good reminder for all of us who have been members for a long time.

Ask your new members to help you out on your Programs. Get them involved so that they stay interested and want to come back. At the same time don’t try and overload them.

Let’s work together for our Veterans. After all they are what we are all about. Many times we lose sight of why we wanted to join the Ladies Auxiliary. Plain and Simple we are here to work together for our Veterans, by Stepping Up and Leaving No Veteran Behind.

While we help our Veterans, we also need to record their story. I hope you are working on the Veterans History Project. It’s our job to preserve that history. There are almost 19 million veterans living in the United States. We are losing almost 1,500 every day. Imagine the lost stories, memories and lessons that could benefit this generation and those yet to come. You can do this, if your Auxiliary has not obtained the Veterans History Project field kit, go to the web and down load the request form at: www.loc.gov/vets    This will give you the guidelines for conducting interviews and will also tell you what they accept and don’t accept. If you do not have internet you can call 1-888-371-5848. This is message line so be sure and request a Field kit. Then get busy and record veteran’s stories using an audio or video recorder, assist the veteran in collecting photos, letters, diaries, maps, or just help write a memoir. The brochure that is on the Wyoming Ladies VFW Auxiliary web site also gives you all the information you need to get started. Ladies this is one of the major questions on the yearend report. I didn’t ask for a midyear report from the Auxiliaries, but I will need a yearend report. The things I’m looking for are included in the hand out I have for you. I have also sent a copy of the report to Karlene to post on the web site. You will need to get your report to me no later than May 1, 2012. This way I will have time to do my yearend report for my National Director. Thank you for all you do for our Veterans and “Stepping Up and leaving no Veteran Behind.

Respectfully,

Linda Parkins, Americanism Chairman