October 3, 2024
Thank you to everyone who attended this year’s Fall Conference in Norway/South Paris! Special thanks to Vice President Linda Jack for inviting Christy Gardner from Mission Working Dogs to present her amazing work. We hope to have Christy join us again at the Mid-Winter Conference in January.
I’m pleased to announce that we’ve filled some key positions:
Americanism Chair: Joy Andreasen, Unit #197 Westbrook
Legislative Chair: Melissa Chapman, Unit #82 Norway
We are still seeking a Department Chaplain. This role includes leading prayers at meetings, sending cards to members and families, and coordinating the Memorial service at the Department Convention. If interested, please send a letter of intent to mainealahq@gmail.com. For now, Stella Trahan is generously assisting with these duties. Thank you, Stella!
Finally, we’re excited to welcome National President Trish Ward, who will be visiting District 7 in Aroostook County in October to share her mission for the year - a flyer has been attached.
Service above Self,
Stasi Brule
Department of Maine
American Legion Auxiliary
President
484.568.3345
stasibrule@gmail.com
Piece by Piece
Completing the Membership Puzzle
Hi Everyone. Thank you to everyone who attended our Fall Conference this past Saturday. We had a good number of attendees and even some that had never been to a Fall Conference. I feel that everyone learned something…that is the purpose of our conferences. I have no real information this week. We have a lot of renewals arriving at the office. Please do not keep membership…send them in as soon as you can.
Would be nice to see more Units reach their 50% threshold. Hopefully, in two weeks, we will have some good numbers to share. Remember, membership is important, and we must make sure all our members are in good standing. Have a good couple weeks.
Linda E. Jack
12 Radcliff Street, Norway 04268
207-739-9831 ljalame22@gmail.com
Hello Auxiliary members,
I’m happy to report that our Fall Conference went incredibly well! It was a wonderful opportunity to see many familiar faces and catch up with those who could attend. We also gained a wealth of new information to help guide us as we continue our work throughout the year. Thank you to everyone who participated, shared ideas, and contributed to making the event a success. Your dedication truly shines through.
On a more personal note, our Department Treasurer, Kate Raymond, and her father, a valued dual member of both the Legion and the Sons of the American Legion (SAL), are going through a difficult time. In the spirit of our Auxiliary family, we have created a meal train to support them during this period of grief. If you’d like to contribute, please hop aboard and lend a helping hand. You can sign up to provide a meal or support them in other ways by visiting this link: https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/nwqmqo. Your kindness and generosity are greatly appreciated.
In other news, membership numbers will soon be released in a fresh, updated format! Keep an eye out for the next issue of the Chatter on October 17, where we’ll unveil the latest membership statistics and other exciting updates. We’re looking forward to sharing the progress we’ve made with you! Special thanks to Marie McSwine for being the first to notice the formatting issues last month!
I’m pleased to announce that Sick Call is officially back! If you know of any member who may be in need of a card or a phone call to brighten their day, please send an email to department headquarters at mainealahq@gmail.com. Whether someone is recovering from illness, facing a personal challenge, or could use a little extra encouragement, let us know so we can extend our love and support.
I also wanted to address a quick housekeeping matter. While I love our personal conversations via Facebook Messenger, please remember that all official business matters related to the organization should be handled through email, phone calls, or in-person conversations. This helps ensure that we maintain proper records and can follow up efficiently on important topics.
Headquarters will be open Monday through Wednesday from 9 AM to 3 PM throughout October, with the exception of Monday, 10/14. Please reach out during these hours for any assistance or to schedule a time to meet your needs.
Thank you for all you do!
In service,
Sierra Greely
Department Secretary
207-465-4966
Hello all
I just wanted to introduce myself. I’m Velvet Veilleux Department of Maine Auxiliary Historian for 2024-2025.
I’m looking forward to working with everyone and I have some great resources for our unit historians to help you out. So please reach out to me but I may be reaching out to you as well. Let’s have a great year!
Yours in Service
Velvet Veilleux
Dept Historian
PO Box 58 Bowdoinham Me 04008
207-798-1915
vapitkin@yahoo.com
American Legion Auxiliary National Convention 2024 - SUMMARY OF AMENDMENTS
Below are the nine amendments proposed at the National Convention and their results following voting. The only one that would affect the Dept. of Maine would be #1. We already have this in place in our department governing documents in the form of a standing rule under the National Convention.
Ginny Chaput
N.E.C., Dept. of Maine
The purpose of the National Security Committee is to promote a strong national defense.
Ways you and your Unit can be involved:
Troop Welcome-Home/Send-Offs-Remember that even if you aren’t near a military installation, there are still servicemembers and their families in your neighborhood with active-duty military recruiters, National Guard, and reservists.
POW/MIA Remembrance-The American Legion Family is dedicated to ensuring that America’s POW/MIAs be honored and recognized, not just memorialized. Legion efforts focus on the need to account as fully as possible for those still missing, alive or dead. An important way all Legion Family members create awareness and remembrance for
this initiative is through conducting POW/MIA remembrance services at unit meetings and public events. Strong, united support by all Legion Family members is crucial to bringing all of our heroes home.
Blue Star Banners-Families are encouraged to display the banner in the window of a
home when a loved one is serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. The blue star represents one family member serving, and a banner can have up to five stars, according to The American Legion. The American Legion helped reintroduce the
Blue Star Banner to Americans following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks by providing banners to military families across the nation. If the individual is killed in action or dies, a smaller gold star is placed over it. Gold stars are placed above the blue stars or to the top right of the flag, in the event a flag represents multiple servicemembers. Your Unit can have a Blue Star Banner Ceremony to present a banner to a family in your area.
Host a blood drive- Every 2 seconds someone in the United States needs blood. In Maine we need to collect 350 gallons of blood every month just to keep up with the demand from patients. That’s more than 4,000 gallons per year. Please contact an account manager in your area to host a blood drive or to volunteer.
Cumberland & York County
Eddie Scott, Edward.scott@redcross.org 207-523-9697
Androscoggin, Cumberland, Franklin, Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln, Oxford, Sagadahoc Counties
Geoff Allen, geoff.allen@redcross .org 207-800-6634
Aroostook, Hancock, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Somerset, Waldo, Washington Counties,
Jackie Gershman-Mannacchi, mariejacqueline.gers@redcross.org- 207-422-4172
Honor Flight- Honor Flight is a non profit all volunteer organization that provides Maine Veterans with a free guided group trips to Washington D.C. to tour, experience and reflect at their memorials. The average cost to send a veteran is $1,000. Your poppy funds can be donated to Honor Flight to be involved, and you can also attend a send off/return at the Portland
International Airport. See their website for more details.
Gifts of Gratitude- Troop boxes that are sent to our deployed from Maine. Anywhere from toiletries, socks and comfort food are collected and sent to our deployed. Please consider sending monetary donations to Dept HQ or collecting goods and delivering to HQ.
BE THE ONE
Debra A. Rumery
PO Box 44, Gray Me 04039
207-894-4584 debrarumery@gmail.com
(NOTE NEW MAILING ADDRESS)
The calendar for 1st District meetings is as follows:
Sunday, October 13, 2024 at West-Day Unit #123 in Kezar Falls. Lunch @ 1pm and meeting at 2 pm. Please RSVP me with the number coming for lunch so the Unit can plan accordingly. My email is jaimy.friedrich@gmail.com
Sunday, December 8, 2024 at the Maine Military Museum in South Portland. Tour is at 1200, lunch at 1 p.m. and meeting at 2 pm.
Sunday, February 9, 2025 at Post/Unit 17 in Portland. Again, lunch at 1 pm with the meeting following at 2 p.m.
Tuesday, April 8, 2025 Past Commander/Past President 's Dinner at Post 86 in Gray. Social hour at 5 p.m., dinner at 6 p.m. and meeting at 7 pm.
Sunday, May 18, 2025 at Post 91 in Yarmouth. Lunch at 1 pm with the meeting at 2 pm.
District 1 Officers:
Jaimy Friedrich, DDVP.
Alternate DDVP -vacant
Layna Proctor -Secretary
Denise Dempsey -Chaplain
Torri-Marie Pappas- Sgt at Arms
On Sunday October 20,2024 there is an Auxiliary Open House at Unit 86 in Gray. Time is 1-3 pm. Come learn what the ALA is about, The Department President 's project and this year's membership theme. All units welcome.
Jaimy Friedrich DDVP
Correct email jaimy.friedrich@gmail.com
Phone 207-522-6385.
Hello Mighty District 3!!
“Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success”
–Henry Ford
Come together for our first District 3 meeting!!
When: Sunday, October 27
Meeting will start at 12:00pm, with light refreshments to follow at 1:00 in the lounge.
Where: Unit 42 (527 Main Street, Damariscotta ME 04543)
If you cannot make the meeting but wish to be included on the District Constitution and By-Laws Committee, or the District 3 Membership Skit Committee, please contact me! I’d love to help you get involved with these important items! Email: rmotylewski@gmail.com Cell:l 207-844-4127!
Stay well and don’t hesitate to contact any of our district officers with concerns or questions:
District 3 Chaplain: Loa Blake Unit 34, St. George.
Email: loablake@yahoo.com | Phone: (207)-230-4518
District 3 Sergeant at Arms: Debby Green Unit 34, St. George.
Email: deblcpg@gmail.com | Phone: (207)-691-7169
District 3 Secretary: Sue LaFlamme Unit 21, Bath.
Email: laflamme@tidewater.net | Phone: (207)-380-1550
Alternate DDVP: Kassidi Gilbert Unit 42, Damariscotta
Email: ktd23xx@yahoo.com | Phone: (207)-350-5852
DDVP: Rowena Motylewski Unit 42, Damariscotta.
Email: rmotylewski@gmail.com | Phone: (207)-844-4127
Hello All!! Just back from fall conference, I may now have the chatter schedule down. Maybe...
We have two major District 6 events coming up. Please take note of the dates and times, both are very important.
District 6 meeting is being held October 13th at the Pembroke #59 Post. Speakers scheduled there will be our President Stasi Brule and Vice President Linda Jack. These meetings are extremely important for headquarter information on projects, the discussion of different activities taken up by other Auxiliaries and the connections we make between the organizations.
The second activity is a VERY important training brought to us by Debra Rumery, National Security Chair and Past President. Be The One training is being hosted by Pembroke Unit #59 at their post on November 3rd. Training begins at 1:00 till 3:00 , luncheon provided after.
Each individual Unit has been busy. Unit 23 Baileyville hosted a spaghetti dinner and Chinese auction to help the Alexander Grange raise monies for Wreath Across America and 50/50 was to help provide funds for Gold Star Mother's Association. Unit 23 also outfitted the 120 students of Woodland Elementary with items from the back-to-school list provided by each class teacher. Pencils, pens, paper, water bottles, crayons, color pencils and even soft snuggle blankets for the Pre-k. They continue Bingo each week on Tuesday to help fund these projects.
Unit #59 Pembroke hosted a free Ice Cream Social September 22nd at its post. Sundaes, brownies and music flowed freely among the crowd. It was so successful they may repeat next year!! Slated for the next month are October 12th public supper, last of the season. October 13th, district meeting, October 31st is Trunk or treat in front of the post and November 2nd is their annual Christmas craft fair.
Unit #9 Machias as always Lisa Griffin and her Unit do monthly activities for our Veterans and elderly with in house visits, bingo, coffee and donuts, pizza parties and auctions. But to those residents it is more than that, the Units compassion, love and laughter is invaluable to these individuals. Unit and Post will have an annual Halloween party on October 26th and participate on Machias Main Street trick or treat October 31st. November 2nd at 5:30 am till 9, they will be feeding the hunters at Hunter's Breakfast at the Post. The Post now has kitchen meals open to the public Monday thru Friday 11:30 till 5:30 with daily specials. This helps fund all activities.
Thank you all for all you do,
Eileen Newman
DDVP District 6
President, Unit 23
deepwoodschick1@gmail.com
Hello Everyone,
I will be contacting each unit for a visitation soon.
Great News from the 7 th District
The National President Trish Ward will be visiting “The County” Arriving Monday evening October 14, 2024 and departing on October 17 th early. I will be sending an itinerary out as soon as it is approved. Let's show her how “The County” rolls.
My contact information is : Bridget Ellis 183 12 th Ave Madawaska, Me 04756 Cell: 207-357-
4133, Home 207-728-9409 email: bridgetdaigle2010@gmail.com
Yours in Service
Bridget Ellis
7thDDVP
Hello Everyone! My name is Joy Andreasen, and I am honored to accept the position as your Americanism Chairman for the Department of Maine, American Legion Auxiliary.
I am the widow of a Vietnam Veteran, I have one son, and two grandsons. We all are very active with many Veterans organizations: Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion Auxiliary and the Sons of the American Legion. We are proud new members of the American Legion #197 family in Westbrook.
I have held the position of President at the VFW Auxiliary for 10 years, District 10 President for numerous years, and a Past State President for the VFW. Currently I am Secretary and Veterans & Families Chairman at post level, District 10 President, a member of Council, and the State Americanism Chairman. I have also served as buddy poppy, mentoring, scholarships, and Legislative Chairman.
I truly enjoy the Americanism program as it is so easy for people of all ages to participate in- from saying the pledge, saluting or displaying a flag, to wearing a patriotic scarf.
I am looking forward to becoming a more active member within our Legion family! and sharing the wealth of knowledge from my experience serving our Veterans and the communities they live in with many organizations. Thank you President Stasi for this appointment.
Joy Andreasen
JoyAndreasen60@gmail.com (207) 209-8091
The Department of Maine American Legion Family runs an exclusive leadership program annually for high school juniors.
Each year in mid-June, students from around the state merge at Colby College to spend a week with hands-on participation in the state governmental process. DIRIGO State does not impose any political attitudes on the students; they bring their own experiences and ideas; the program harnesses those ideas and provides the path for execution.
The students establish political parties based on their own beliefs and experiences, run, and lobby for positions and create a model government including town and county governments, a Governor and Governor’s cabinet, a Senate and House of Representatives, and a Supreme Court. This process provides a forum for the discussion and debate of the students ideas. It is an incredible learning program, and the students are encouraged to ask questions, speak their
mind, and most of all…participate.
Our instructors, made up of Legion members and alumnae, help guide the student through DIRIGO STATE with the help of many public officials. DIRIGO has hosted keynote speakers and instructors that are in federal and state government, they share their direct experience in political office. Governors, Congressman Golden, Senators Collins and King, town managers to name just a few.
The students take away the sense of voice that they can make a difference in the political landscape, there is nothing more powerful than an educated voter.
We have seen an increase in attendance each year for the last 3 years, if every Unit sent just one student, there would be a 50% increase in attendance. If each Post sent one student, there would be a 100% increase in attendance.
We need to do better supporting our exclusive, premiere Legion Family program.
In 2025 we are looking to increase student enrollment, we are also looking at increasing Auxiliary involvement.
We are currently exploring ways to keep the cost at $400 per student and are in the middle of contract negotiations with Colby College. The dates will be June 14 through June 20 th in 2025.
Information will be relayed to schools and the Legion Family in November and December.
That means the fundraising at the Unit level starts now. Contact Debra Rumery to get started on your Dirigo State fundraising efforts.
Debra A. Rumery PO Box 44, Gray Me 04039 (note new address)
207-894-4584 debrarumery@gmail.com
Hello Auxiliaries of Maine!!
I am so excited to be your Department Education Committee Chairperson again this year! I have been a member of the ALA family since birth, and it has been a huge part of my life the entire way. This will be my seventh year serving as your chairperson and having worked as a fifth grade teacher in my hometown for eleven years now, the role of your Education
Committee Chair is one that means a lot to me for various reasons.
I have already been receiving some amazing emails of school supplies that some of our units have donated! My hope is to submit shout outs to the chatter at the end of each month so stay tuned on September’s donations!
My goals this year are similar to past years as they tried and true and really help our schools and teachers!
Goal 1: As always, the 10 for Education Program in which we challenge units to donate 10 of one item is one of them. Example- 10 packs of pencils, 10 folders, 10 notebooks, etc.
Per usual, I will be tracking the amount of “10s” units donate as a competition for our June convention! It is already a tough competition out there! You can donate items throughout the school year as well. I actually recommend this! Schools always seem to run out of supplies mid year and a lot of people don’t think to donate at that time! Items like tissues, Expo markers, folders, etc. Reach out to them periodically and see what they need! And email me your item lists each time you collect and donate.
Goal 2: In order to promote the specific goals of the Education Committee, I would like to encourage units to look at the list below to see if any of these items are things you already do to ensure you report them to me, or something you can pick up!
● To promote quality education for children, especially for military children, and adults
● To encourage schools to invite veterans to speak in their classrooms
● To provide scholarships for students who desire a college education
● To Support legislation that establishes new scholarship opportunities
● To support the Education program and scholarship opportunities of The American Legion
Goal 3: As always, I am a huge proponent of helping our state’s teachers. Once again, schools across the state are facing trying times. Most schools are understaffed with huge teacher turn around rates, and not enough people entering the profession. I am encouraging units to keep teachers in mind this year and help support them. Some ideas are below.
● Drop off goodies for the teacher’s room
● Donate a spa gift card for the school to raffle off to a teacher
● Donate a Dunkin Donuts gift card for the school to raffle off to a teacher
● Write a nice note/card and leave in the teacher’s room
● Bring in a box of joe
● Ask your school if any teachers have Amazon wishlists and purchase items for that teacher
● Donate a Barnes & Noble gift card to
the school to raffle off to a teacher
● Volunteer for any amount of time to do any photocopying/laminating that needs to be done
● Ask your school if there are any
unpaid lunch balances for teachers
and pay the balances
● Once a month, buy one team of
teachers (second grade team, sixth grade team, special ed. team, etc) lunch
● Do a shoutout on social media on any school pages you are a part of
These ideas and so many more are great ways to help teachers feel supported, loved, and to give them a little extra boost when their job gets tiring.
➔ Units will receive one 10 for Education point for every set of 10 school supplies they donate.
➔ Units will receive one Helping Schools point for every good deed from goal 2 and 3 above that they accomplish.
Again, please make sure you email me all important information and photos in order for me to properly report out! Facebook is a great way to share but not a way to report. So, please email! Emails only qualify for receiving points and shoutouts.
Don’t forget to use our name and brand anytime you can when donating items or doing good deeds! Let your schools, teachers, and students know who the ALA community is and what we do!
As always- report!! Nothing is too small!
Thank you!
Jennifer Rinko
ALA Department of Maine Education Committee Chair
jenrinkoala135@gmail.com
Sister in Arms Center in Augusta, Maine. A home for Women Veterans who find themselves homeless for whatever reason.
The Amazon wishlist can be found on American Legion Auxiliary Department of Maine Facebook page or at https://bit.ly/3zKFpdV
Shopping online is an easy and convenient way to many. Amazon will mail directly to Sister in Arms Center. Monetary donations may be sent to American Legion Auxiliary, Department of Maine. 5 Verti Drive, Suite B Winslow, Maine 04901. Make check payable to ALA Department of Maine, on memo line write Sister in Arms Center.
To help me keep track of what units, members and families donate for my reports at the end of year. Please keep track of what items and how many are donated with the total amount spent.
The information can be emailed / mailed at the address below.
Rose Dyke 152 Farrand Hill Road, Canton, 04221 357-6660 rosembd8@yahoo.com
Hello ALA Members,
Great fall conference! Was good to see all that made it.
Our Leadership purpose is to get Involved to better equip our members to serve in leadership positions with confidence and skill. Please get in contact with me if you would like some Leadership training in your units.
Here are some great things to think about. Attend American Auxiliary Mission Training, Participate in ALA Academy course, Enhance knowledge about ALA history, ALA programs and our organization. More information to follow.
Download/purchase and become familiar with the: Unit Guide Book, Constitution & Bylaws, Department Operations Guide, Parliamentary Procedures and the ALA Code of Ethics.
Join Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ALALeadership I plan to do some sharing of the ideas with you all also through the Chatter So please stay tuned!
I would also like to mention MEMBERSHIP PROCESSING. When you send in your Units Transmittals/ New Application DO NOT SEND THE ELIGIBLE DD214 paperwork to us. That is to be checked out by your Post Adjutant/Officer Membership only and stay at your post/unit. Due TO PRIVACY ISSUES THEY SHOULD NOT BE MAILED TO US.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask!
Yours in Service,
Bunny Greenlaw P.D.P.
ALA Dept. Leadership Chairman
Hello Everyone,
My name is Melissa Chapman, and I am honored to serve as your Legislative Committee Chair for the 2024-2025 year. As a longtime member of the Auxiliary, I have a deep personal connection to the mission of advocating for our veterans and their families, and I’m excited to work alongside all of you in this important role.
This year, my goal is to keep you informed on key legislative issues that impact our veteran community and provide the tools and resources to help you effectively advocate for The American Legion’s legislative agenda. As we kick off the year, I encourage everyone to stay informed on local legislative events and consider attending meetings like Candidates Nights or Town Hall discussions where you can engage directly with your representatives. Together, we can amplify the voices of veterans and ensure their concerns are heard at all levels of government.
Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or suggestions on legislative matters you'd like to see discussed. Thank you for your support, and I look forward to working with you all this year!
Best regards,
Melissa Chapman
Legislative Committee Chair
September Facebook postings and Chatter articles by the Department of Maine American Legion Auxiliary Officers, Committee Chairs, and members have positively reflected and promoted the importance of the ALA’s role in conveying our identity, mission, and relevance – to serve veterans, the military, and their families.
Please remember to wear ALA-branded clothing, display Unit ALA banners, pass out ALA materials, and speak about the American Legion Auxiliary helping our department to reach a broad scope of people, thus resulting in more knowing Who
We Are, What We Do, and Why We Matter!
We have a wonderful story to tell. Public relations is the job of every member of the Auxiliary and the Public Relations Committee. Let’s continue building goodwill in our communities and good rapport with the media.
Respectfully submitted,
Carol Roach, Public Relations Chair
Hello All,
Busy time of year here for the vets home and I have some requests.
MVHA will be hosting a Trick or Treat even on October 26th. Time is still TBD, she needs CANDY. Let's fill her office. She usually spends about $1000 on candy for this event and anything she doesn't have to spend can be put towards other programs.
Please if you can pick up an extra bag of candy while shopping and drop it off at the Vets Home or ship it. Or, if we can coordinate it, I can pick it up.
Also seeking monetary donations for the Christmas Gift Shop. If you aren't familiar with that program, residents of the vets home go "shopping" for a few family members for Christmas and we wrap and deliver to their units. It takes about $1500 to run a successful gift shop. If your unit can please spare $50 to $100 and send to department earmarked MVHA- gift shop. I would like to start shopping ASAP.
ADOPT A VET will be out by the next chatter. So stay tuned.
Thats all for now. Thank you.
Michelle Colby
michellecolby19@gmail.com
Greetings,
Togus gift shop is scheduled for Saturday, December 7th, from 9 am to 2 pm. We need 8 to 10 volunteers to help residents select and wrap gifts for their family members to be shipped to them.
If you would like to help with the gift shop please reach out, ginandco@yahoo.com. We have limited space available so those who reach out first will be welcome.
Yes, monetary donations are needed, to shop for those items, a Units donation of $25.00 or $50.00 would easily provide for 3 or 6 items for our veteran residents or patients to select from. A nice scarf set for the Mrs., a Gloves and window scraper set for the son-in-law, a bath and body set for the daughter, or even a squeaky toy for ole Roy, patiently waiting at home for his dad or mom to come home.
Please consider a donation to our Togus Christmas Gift Shop and maybe to all the MVH gift shops at this time of year, it is such an easy way for us to be a part of putting a smile on their faces.
Ginny Chaput
Christmas Shop Chairperson
P.O. Box 546 | Bath, ME 04530
ginandco@yahoo.com | 1-207-406-0830
Log into our often, if you don't have an account, all you need is your membership number, create your own password and you open a door to so many different learning opportunities. Various training and online meetings are posted. There are forms, templates, award descriptions, and so much more.
For instance:
Thursday, Oct. 17 at noon ET —--- ALA Academy LIVE: So, You're a Department Chair. Now What?
ALA CHATTER DEADLINE IS 3 P.M. THE TUESDAY PRIOR TO PUBLICATION
If you would like to be added to or removed from the mailing list, please send your name and email address to mainealahq@gmail.com
This is a free newsletter for all members of the American Legion Auxiliary.