Search Results for: American Legion

About the American Legion Auxiliary

Why Join?

If you value patriotism, responsible citizenship, volunteerism and advocacy for veterans, the military and their families, you will feel right at home in the American Legion Auxiliary. You can educate school children about our nation’s flag, assemble care packages to send to our troops, or volunteer at your local VA Medical Center. As a member of a local Auxiliary unit, you’ll have a ready-made support system and many hands-on opportunities to serve in ways that truly make a difference.

ALA Membership Application

Who We Are

We are the male and female spouses, mothers, daughters, sisters, grandmothers, granddaughters and direct and adopted female descendants of veterans who served our great country in the military. Some of us are veterans ourselves. Patriotism and veterans advocacy are so important to the American Legion Auxiliary that for over a century, we’ve been serving, educating and giving to America’s finest—our servicemen and women. We answer the call of Service Not Self.

What We Do

Our members do incredible work!

  • Help nearly 600,000 veterans and volunteer 6.2 million hours annually to support veterans and military, military families, youth, scholarships, and communities
  • Raise and contribute more than $14 million to programs for children, youth, and communities including scholarships
  • Volunteer over 660,000 hours to serving military families
  • In 2022, raised and spent over $28 million for veterans, active duty military and families, youth, scholarships, and communities.

Why We Matter

American Legion Auxiliary members have volunteered millions of hours and billions of dollars. That’s quite a global impact, and a powerful number that accentuates who we are, what we do, and why we matter!

For more detailed information on the Auxiliary and programs, visit the National website at: https://www.legion-aux.org/

American Legion Auxiliary Flickertail Girls State

ALA Flickertail Girls State

June 8-13, 2025 – Session at UND (Proposed Dates-subject to change)

Amanda Dinger - Directorndgirlsstate@gmail.com

Amanda Dinger – Director
ndgirlsstate@gmail.com

Quick links

Amanda Dinger – Chairman
ndgirsstate@gmail.com

Phone:  701-314-2460


Last year, Girls State board members assisted many girls in finding sponsorships for ALA Girls State. If you know of a girl that would like to attend, please let us know.  Also, if you have extra funds and are willing to help a girl experience this wonderful program, drop us a line or give us a call.

We are now accepting applications for “City Moms.” If you are an American Legion Auxiliary member that would like to help out and spread the good word of our organization, then this may be the job for you!

  • 2025 City Mom Application

Do you have a girl who is on the fence about going and needs someone to “seal the deal?”  Or perhaps you are concerned they aren’t serious about attending.  Let us know!


ALA Flickertail Girls State Information

Other Resources

 

Contact Information:
Amanda Dinger, Director
ndgirlsstate@gmail.com
701-314-2460

Girls State Board Members:

Amanda Dinger (Director)
Addy Emter
Chulita Goodman
Elizabeth Narain
Alicia Randall

Girls State Commitee:

Girls State Board
ALA Department President LoAnn Dick
ALA Department Secretary Marcy Schmidt
ALA Department Treasurer Susan Degner


Girls State Archives

 

 

Americanism

Americanism Program

Gigi Moore - Chairmanamericanism@ndala.org

Gigi Moore – Chairman
americanism@ndala.org

Americanism Contest Entries Due by March 15, 2025

2025 Essay Contest Application

2024 Americanism Essay Contest Winners

Here are just a few ways you can show Americanism in your communities:

  • Teach Flag Etiquette in Schools
  • Plan Flag Retirement Ceremonies
  • Provide a Place to Purchase Flags and Depository for Tattered, Used Flags
  • Marching in Local Parades
  • Recognize Veterans at Local Ball Games
  • Organize Picnics for Veterans and Their Families
  • Display Flags on Graves for Memorial and Veterans Day
  • Display a Flag at home on Flag Holidays Such as Memorial Day, Flag Day, 4th of July and Veterans Day
  • Help Organize Veterans Day Programs
  • Encourage Youth to Enter the Americanism Essay Contest
  • Support ND American Legion and Auxiliary Programs such as Boys/Girls State, International Music Camp and Oratorical Contests


Other information is available on the National website on the Americanism webpage


Americanism Archives

Medina Unit 245

Medina Unit 245 Shows Community Spirit

 

Ramp

New Ramp. Pictured (l-r): Back Row: Becky Reich, Ardella Rau, Brenda Guthmiller, Edith Stoppleworth, Sue Reardon, Judy Lytle, Elly Rau, Mitch Gunderson – Medina City Councilman. Front Row (l-r): Adeline Link, Lillian Hofman, Sharon Behn, Joyce Hoffmann.

The Adam Job Post 245 Legion Hall serves as a community event center as well as an election site for Stutsman County. It was discovered prior to the 2023 primary election that the facility’s ramp was not up to code and a temporary ramp was installed at a cost of $2500. After the election, Joyce Hofmann and Sharon Behm, members of Medina Unit 245, began pursuing a project that would replace the old ramp. With the assistance of Joan Morris, a Stutsman County Commissioner, they were able to obtain a grant from the North Dakota Community Foundation for $3500. With the assistance of Mitch Gunderson, a Medina city council member, they also received funds from the City of Medina for the remaining cost of $2600.

A new ramp has been installed and provides the needed assistance for people attending events held at Adam Job Post 245 American Legion Hall in Medina. Members of Post and Unit 245 thank everyone involved in raising funds for the construction and installation of the new ramp. It is a tribute to the community and shows what can be done when people work together for the common good.

 

New Member Breakfast. Pictured (l-r): Brenda Guthmiller, Ardella Rau, Elly Rau, Edith Stoppleworth, Sue Reardon, Sharon Behn. Not pictured: Joey Guthmiller, Val Flegel, Sharon Otto, Kimberly Schmidt.

Unit Membership – In the past few years, membership for Unit 245 declined. Judy Lytle, member of the Medina Unit, decided to do something about that. Judy made a concerted effort to sign up new members and was able to recruit nine new members. On April 5, 2024, the unit hosted a ‘Breakfast Meeting’ where the new members were welcomed and presented with Certificates of Initiation and a copy of the explanation of the “Preamble” to the Constitution of the American Legion Auxiliary.

Article Submitted by Unit 245

June 2024 Message Article

Tolna Unit 162

Tolna Unit 162

Quilt of Honor recipient with NEC Judy Twete

Quilt of Honor recipient with NEC Judy Twete

TOLNA LEGION FAMILY HOSTS MEMBERSHIP PICNIC

It was a warm and windy Tuesday afternoon when the American Legion Family held a membership picnic in the Tolna Park. This annual event is a great way to share comradery as well as enjoy a picnic-style membership drive for the American Legion Post, Sons of the American Legion, and Unit 162 of Tolna.

An array of lovely looking food items graced the picnic tables under the shelter, and a great turn out of Legion and Auxiliary members were sharing fellowship and a meal.

Tolna Unit President Cheryl Donahue assisted Judy Twete in arranging another event to take place during this time. Judy and Curt Twete had been invited to participate in the surprise event that was going to take place that evening. There was no previous notification of the “Quilts of Honor” presentation to any of the guests.

Veterans were surprised when presented with “Quilts of Honor,” made by the Devils Lake, Lakota, and McVille area Homebound Quilters group. Each of the quilts had a label with the veteran’s name and the group that created them. Those in the quilting group include Brenda Swenseth, Kristi Berdal, Macine Lukach, Barb Anderson-Pishtek, Jill Nesheim, and Gayle Gette. These ladies donate their time and funds to make these beautiful quilts and donate them for presentation to veterans.

Those presented with a quilt that July evening were: Keith Forde, Paul Donahue, Harry Conley, Brian Nelson, and Steven Donahue. It was a wonderful experience to have family and fellow Legion Family Members witness the heartfelt appreciation of these men when they were presented with their quilts.

Article and photo submitted by: Judy Twete, NEC

2024 Department Convention

2024 Department Convention

Date:  June 21-23, 2024

Location:  Bismarck Hotel and Conference Center
800 South 3rd Street
Bismarck, ND  58504

Phone: 701-660-8063
Website: The Bismarck Hotel


National Auxiliary President Visits North Dakota 

 

Legion Riders and President

Legion riders escort National Presidents tour. Pictured (l-r): LoAnn Dick, Department President; Ted Asp, Legion Rider; Lisa Williamson, National President; Steve Anderson, Legion Rider; Gloria Covert, Past Department President.

The Department of North Dakota had the honor of hosting National Auxiliary President Lisa Williamson of Fairbanks, Alaska, in mid-July. We treated Lisa to 2 days of showing off our state and visiting with Legion and Auxiliary members. Hosts included: Tammy Ryberg, NEC; LoAnn Dick, Department President (2024-2025); Gloria Covert, Past Department President (2023-2024); and Andrea Neshem, Department Historian.

The traveling group lodged in Minot and traveled from that point. We spent a day up north with our first stop at Annie’s House at the Bottineau Winter Park. Dwight Olson from Bottineau served as our tour guide and told us how Annie’s house was created. Annie was a native of Stanley, ND, and worked in one of the World Trade Center towers that was attacked by terrorists on September 11, 2001. At Annie’s House, disabled veterans use the adaptive summer and winter program free of charge because of generous donations.

The International Music Camp was our next stop, where Camp Director Tim Baumann served as our tour guide. We enjoyed listening to practice groups sitting out on the lawn rehearsing their music lessons. The American Legion and Auxiliary built and help maintain the practice huts for students known as American Legion Row.

After Music Camp, we headed for the International Peace Gardens where we had lunch at the café, toured the cactus conservatory, and wandered around the Peace Gardens. We enjoyed the tranquility of the gardens.

 

Washburn Meeting

Washburn meal and social. Pictured (l-r): Arliss Koski, District 5 Vice President; Gloria Covert, Past Department President; Peggy Moran, District 5 President; Lisa Williamson, National President; LoAnn Dick, Department President.

Our next stop was Mystical Horizons, the only authentic working stonehenge in North Dakota. The Canadian smoke was pretty thick, so the view was not as pretty as it usually is. On the return trip to Minot we stopped at the large wheel turtle located in Dunseith and visited the geographical center of North America located in Rugby.

On our second day we traveled to Washburn for a meet and greet with members of the American Legion Family from around the area. We enjoyed an impressive noon meal prepared by the Washburn Post and Unit members.

National President Williamson is a member of the Legion Riders in Alaska. Steve Anderson and Ted Asp of the Cando Legion Riders and Milo Wallace of William G. Carroll Post 26 Minot escorted the entourage to Washburn and back to Minot. The traveling group visited the beautiful Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center and then headed to Fort Mandan for a tour.

We appreciate National President Williamson for taking time from her busy schedule to visit North Dakota. We also appreciate Ed and LoAnn Dick for serving as our chauffeurs for two days on the road.

Article and photos submitted by Past Department President Gloria Covert

National Presidents Visit

Scranton Unit 151

Scranton Unit 151
Pictured (l-r) Dianne Pierce, Carla Teske, Cindy Miller, Bill Schaar, Mr. Richard Norton, Paul Mausehund, Kiley Mausehund, Brad Mausehund, Corrine Mausehund, Bob Kromerak, Kathy Kromerak, Kaitlyn Mausehund and Terry Freymiller.

Pictured (l-r) Dianne Pierce, Carla Teske, Cindy Miller, Bill Schaar, Mr. Richard Norton, Paul Mausehund, Kiley Mausehund, Brad Mausehund, Corrine Mausehund, Bob Kromerak, Kathy Kromerak, Kaitlyn Mausehund and Terry Freymiller.

When American Legion Auxiliary Harry W. Lindberg Unit 151 of Scranton sponsored the 2023 Americanism Essay Contest, little did they know that one of those essays would be a winner on the National level. Unit members judged Americanism essays written by students at Scranton Public Schools. Three of the essays were Department winners in their individual group. The winners were Blake Pierce, Kiley Mausehund, and Sonora Stoltzfus. The winning essays were then sent on to Northwestern Division and National for judging. One of the essays written at Scranton was a first place winner in her class from Northwestern Division at the National level. The winner is Kiley Mausehund.

Mr. Richard Norton, the history teacher who assigned the essay to his students, has done this as part of his curriculum for many years. Members of Unit 151 thank Mr. Norton for helping his students to expand their thinking and helping them grow into citizens that are the future of our country.

On October 27, 2023, an assembly was held at Scranton School to honor contest winner Kiley Mausehund. Mr. Norton, who now resides in Bison, SD, traveled to Scranton for the ceremony. Norton is quoted as saying, “I wouldn’t miss this. She is my first national winner.” We are fortunate to have such dedicated teachers as role models for our young citizens.

Unit 151 President Terry Freymiller presented a certificate to Kiley Mausehund, now a freshman at Scranton High School. Kiley read her essay to the assembly. The inspiration for her essay was her dad, Paul Mausehund, who served in the US Army from 1998 to 2012.

Scranton Auxiliary members reading essays

Scranton Auxiliary members reading essays

Kiley is the daughter of Paul and Corrine Mausehund of Scranton. The award event was attended by Kiley’s parents; Bob and Kathy Kromerak, grandparents; Laci Coates, County Veterans Service Officer; Bill Schaar, Post 151 Legionnaire; and Unit 151 Auxiliary members Dianne Pierce, Carla Teske, Cindy Miller, and Terry Freymiller. Students and staff of the Scranton Public Schools were also in attendance.

Congratulations on a job well done!

Article and photo submitted by: Unit President Terry Freymiller

Essay Contest Winners – June 23 Message

December 2023 Message Article

 

Cavalier Unit 11

Cavalier Unit 11
Jason and Caleb Muth with their People’s Choice Selecetion – Reuben Casserole

Jason and Caleb Muth with their People’s Choice Selecetion – Reuben Casserole

Fourteen different hotdish flavors were served up for the community during the Veterans Honor Flight of ND/MN fundraiser hosted by Cavalier American Legion Auxiliary Unit 11 and Cavalier Future Business Leaders of American (FBLA) students. Thanks to the generosity of community members who brought hotdishes, donated silent auction items, or came out to eat, over $3,500 was raised. This money helps pay for future flights of veterans to Washington, D.C. to visit war memorials in their honor.

Attendees were given a “flight” of hotdish samples to taste and ballots to vote for their favorite flavors. Veterans also were given a separate ballot to put their own stamp on their favorite options. Hotdish samples included French BLT, breakfast hotdish, chicken alfredo, lasagna, mac and cheese, chicken taco, burrito bake, wild rice and bacon, pizza, potato pizza, chicken wild rice, Lebanese beans, dairy potatoes, and more!

Community support for the Great Hotdish Bake-Off

Community support for the Great Hotdish Bake-Off

Members of Lavern J. Thompson Post and Unit 11 of Cavalier support programs for veterans and families of veterans, as well as active duty, national guard, and reserve personnel. For this event, they worked in tandem with Cavalier FBLA students to make the fundraiser happen. The students were honored to be able to interact with area veterans, learn about their stories of service, and hear of their personal connection with the Honor Flight. This was the first fundraiser in the area held for Honor Flight. “We met a lot of veterans and heard about their experiences which were extraordinary,” said FBLA member Emersen Helgoe. “They told us the trip was one of the best days of their lives.”

For more information visit Veterans Honor Flight of ND/MN 

June 2023 Message Article

Rutland Unit 215

Rutland Unit 215

Rutland Unit 215 Sponsors Virtual Trick – or – Treat Event in October 2023

For the seventh year in a row, Bergman-Evenson Unit 215 of Rutland has sponsored a ‘Trick or Treat” for homeless veterans in October. Until 2020, members of the unit went door-to-door in late October, collecting warm clothing, personal care items, and food donations.

When COVID entered the picture in 2021, our unit decided to do a virtual “Trick-or -Treat” event. The event was well advertised at the beginning of October and drop boxes as well as donation jars were scattered around the community. It was a phenomenal success! Since then, the “Trick or Treat” for homeless veterans has been a virtual event and has covered a wider area. The collected donations are sorted, packed, and delivered to the Gladys Ray Shelter and Veterans Drop-In Center in Fargo. The Center “supports” homeless individuals seeking temporary shelter and operates a drop-in center for homeless veterans seeking rest and other supportive services.

Our unit contacts the Gladys Ray Shelter in September and requests a list of the Center’s most needed items. This list is then included in our advertising. Socks are always at the top of the list along with hats and gloves. This year, our unit was able to collect and donate 132 pair of men’s socks, 30 pair of women’s socks, 13 hats, 5 pair of gloves, 3 heavy-lined hoodies, some personal care items, and $657.65 in cash donations.

American Legion Bergman-Evenson Post 215 of Rutland is a staunch supporter of the “Trick or Treat” for homeless veterans and generously donates cash for the project.

Bergman-Evenson Unit 215 feels fortunate to have such widespread support for all of our endeavors. We cannot thank all of our donors enough for helping us help our veterans.

Submitted by Unit Members

March 2024 Message Article

2023 Department Convention

2023 Department Convention

2023 Convention Schedule

Welcome to Department Convention 2023!

Georgette Dorval, President of William C. Blair Unit 144 of Belfield is serving as Chairman of the 2023 American Legion Auxiliary Department Convention to be held in Bismarck on June 23-25. Meetings will take place at the Bismarck Hotel and Conference Center located at 800 South 3rd Street. Georgette along with members of Unit 144 and Joseph E. Appert Unit 126 of Hazelton welcomes the American Legion Family. They will serve as registrars and greeters when you arrive. Come join us as we celebrate 102 years of service for the American Legion Auxiliary. Enjoy your stay in Bismarck!

 

 

 

 

Past Department President Sandra Petermann preparing for meetings at Convention.

Past Department President Sandra Petermann preparing for meetings at Convention.

Current Department President Gloria Covert (left) during installation with Past NW Division Vice President Judy Twete (right).

Current Department President Gloria Covert (left) during installation with Past NW Division Vice President Judy Twete (right).

Three past department presidents honored at Convention memorial service: Rosella (Rosie) Weber, Myrna Ronholm and Marjean Boe. 

Three past department
presidents honored at Convention memorial service: Rosella (Rosie) Weber, Myrna Ronholm
and Marjean Boe.