A Community of Volunteers Serving Veterans, Military, and their Families
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Women Veterans Recognition Day is celebrated annually on June 12 in recognition of the 1948 Women’s Armed Services Integration Act signing — allowing women to serve as regular members in the U.S. Armed Forces. | |
It's time to start planning | |
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Wreaths Across America Day 2024 is Saturday, Dec. 14! Your unit can get involved and earn money while supporting our combined missions.
Learn more about this program during the ALA Academy Live webinar How Your Unit Can Work Our Mission and Earn Money with Wreaths Across America on June 20 at 7:30 p.m. ET.
During this webinar, our guest speakers from WAA will share some history of Wreaths Across America, their partnership with the American Legion Auxiliary, our sponsorship program, and the tools available to help make this a successful endeavor for units nationwide. Register now.
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Join The American Legion Family in proudly flying the flag of the United States of America on Flag Day: Friday, June 14. ALA units and Legion posts nationwide will also conduct proper flag-collection and retirement ceremonies, host flag education sessions, and encourage all Americans to fly the U.S. flag this day and throughout the year.
Government and businesses can buy flags/equipment from American Legion Flag & Emblem Sales, an approved entity that can sell flags and flag display equipment to government agencies at the federal, state, and local levels. American Legion Family members can help raise awareness about the American Legion Auxiliary and generate revenue for the Legion Family by encouraging government and businesses to buy USA-made flags and flag equipment from Emblem Sales. Any VA facility, company, church, civic organization, or the public can buy flags and flag items from Emblem Sales.
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June is PTSD Awareness Month | |
You can help the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for PTSD share important information this month. A variety of resources related to PTSD and PTSD treatment are available on their website.
- Get help finding a VA PTSD program or a mental health care provider
- Learn about and compare PTSD treatment options with the PTSD Treatment Decision Aid
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Read Understanding PTSD and PTSD Treatment if you’ve been diagnosed with PTSD
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Read Understanding PTSD: A Guide for Family and Friends if a loved one has been diagnosed with PTSD
- Download PTSD Coach, a mobile app that can help you learn about your symptoms, develop skills to manage those symptoms, and track your progress over time
- Take a self-screen to find out if your feelings and behaviors may be related to PTSD
Also, June 27 is PTSD Screening Day. If you are concerned that someone you care about might be experiencing PTSD, encourage them to take the self-screen. It will ask you five questions to determine if your feelings are related to PTSD.
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Don’t miss this webinar on July 25! | |
Register now for the webinar Tax Exempt Status Revocation: What Happens When Your ALA Entity Has Lost Its Tax-Exempt Status?
In this session, we’ll review revocation status of a tax-exempt entity (e.g., unit, department, etc.) and the process these ALA entities must go through in order to have their tax-exempt status reinstated.
What you’ll learn:
- What it means to have your tax-exempt status revoked
- Your options
- Guidance to apply for tax-exempt reinstatement with the IRS
- Best practices to maintain tax-exempt status
- Resources available
The webinar is Thursday, July 25, at noon ET.
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Mark your calendars for our biggest event! | |
ALA National Headquarters and volunteer leadership are busy preparing for our organization’s 103rd National Convention. This year, we’ll gather Aug. 23-29 in New Orleans.
Be prepared by giving us a follow and bookmarking us now through @ALAforVeterans on social media and www.ALAforVeterans.org for the event livestream. If you’ll be in New Orleans for convention, take pictures and post on social media! Tag National Headquarters @ALAforVeterans and use the hashtags #AuxCon24 and #AmericanLegionAuxiliary. Keep an eye on our socials for more information in the coming weeks, including how to register for the event.
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Since October 2023, American Legion Auxiliary National Headquarters has awarded $106,131 to 15 ALA members who were recovering from a natural disaster and 41 members facing financial hardship. This assistance can only continue with your support. Make a difference by ensuring we have the funds now and in the future by donating to the Auxiliary Emergency Fund. Learn more and donate at www.ALAforVeterans.org/AEF. | |
Whether you’re looking for an upscale hotel, an all-inclusive resort, or something more cost-effective, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts has the right hotel for you! American Legion Auxiliary members receive up to 20% off at over 9,000 participating hotels worldwide. To take advantage of this valuable travel discount rate, click here and search for your dates and destination or call 877-670-7088 to connect with a dedicated travel expert — be sure to mention you are an American Legion Auxiliary member or tell them our organization code: 1000002807. | |
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Do you have the correct leadership photo on your wall? Lots of American Legion post homes and ALA offices display their commander and president photos, along with the national-level leaders. You can always find our current national president photo here. ALA national officers are elected every August, and the new photos are posted on the website directly after.
ALA Girls Nation is next month! You can follow along on Facebook and Instagram @ALAGirlsNation. This will be the 77th session for this once-in-a-lifetime program! We’d love to hear from alumnae of all ages about your ALA Girls State/Nation experiences and how they helped shape your future. Email us!
Make plans to attend a 2024-2025 ALA Mission Training. These fun and interactive one-day conferences will be held in five locations:
- Nov. 16: Nashville, Tenn.
- Nov. 16: Denver, Colo.
- Jan. 25: Des Moines, Iowa
- Feb. 1: Las Vegas, Nev.
- Feb. 1: Boston, Mass.
Follow our ALA social media to be the first to find out when registration opens!
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Request to join our official ALA program and committee groups on Facebook | |
Discover what your fellow ALA members are saying in the committee Facebook groups! These easy-to-access forums provide an arena for organic discussion about your local programs or services and present the opportunity to cultivate brand awareness. Find the list of groups here.
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U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs employees work with veterans throughout the year in creative arts therapy to help them navigate through trauma associated with post-traumatic stress disorder. Allison “Ali” DeCamillis, a creative arts therapist with the Minneapolis VA since September 2022, shares insight into the power of healing through the arts. | |
A 2023 report from the University of Maryland’s Do Good Institute shows that nearly half — or 47% — of U.S. nonprofit leaders describe recruitment as a significant problem. Through activities like posting an organization’s logo or participating in community events, marketing can help nonprofit organizations like the American Legion Auxiliary attract members and change that recruitment narrative. Read the ALA blog for six tips for responding to inquiries from potential Auxiliary members. | |
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June – PTSD Awareness Month
June 12 – Women Veterans Recognition Day
June 14 – Flag Day
June 14 – U.S. Army birthday
June 16 – Father’s Day
June 19 – Juneteenth (ALANHQ offices closed)
July 4 – Independence Day (ALANHQ offices closed)
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“Being a member of the ALA is my way to honor my father, and it’s my way to give back to the people he would want me to give back to — our veterans.”
— Corrinna Colson, Vermont
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Register for a virtual Be the One training
As part of The American Legion Family’s Be the One mission to end veteran suicide, The American Legion has joined forces with Columbia University to develop training for those who want to learn more about interacting and responding with veterans who may be in crisis.
Members of The American Legion Family are encouraged to take part in this training and share it with their communities. Check back here or subscribe to The American Legion’s Online Update newsletter to receive information about new training opportunities as they become available.
Upcoming online sessions:
July 11
2:30 p.m. - 4 p.m. ET
➡️Register
July 18
2:30 p.m. - 4 p.m. ET
➡️Register
July 25
2:30 p.m. - 4 p.m. ET
➡️Register
Add these events on your National Convention plans
American Legion Family Night at the National WWII Museum
- Sunday, Aug. 25: Tour the National WWII Museum, rated the No. 1 attraction in the city and No. 3 museum in the United States by Tripadvisor. The event will take place from 6-9 p.m. Tickets are $15 and must be purchased in advance.
The Exhibit Hall and Emblem Sales
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The Emblem Sales store will be located in New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, Hall E, 1st floor of the convention center, from Friday, Aug. 23, to Tuesday, Aug. 27, during the following hours:
8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. on Aug. 23-24 and Aug. 26
8 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Aug. 25 and Aug. 27
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Legion Family Merchandise
Show your support by buying from
American Legion Flag & Emblem Sales.
Shop now
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The American Legion Legislative Center
The ALA supports the legislative agenda of The American Legion.
Get involved.
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In the spirit of Service Not Self, the mission of the American Legion Auxiliary is to support The American Legion and honor the sacrifice of those who serve by enhancing the lives of our veterans, military, and their families, both at home and abroad. For God and country, we advocate for veterans, educate our citizens, mentor youth, and promote patriotism, good citizenship, peace, and security.
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