Auxiliary News
Post 460 is very fortunate and grateful to have an Auxiliary made up of extremely dedicated, energetic, and talented Ladies that go "Above and Beyond the Call" to support Post 460 and American Legion Programs including Children and Youth, Law Enforcement, Veterans and their Families and a host of others. We don't know what we would do without them!
Presidents Notes
President's Message
Volunteer's are a precious commodity and we never have enough to accomplish everything we would like to do. We understand that every Auxiliary member can't make the monthly meetings but if you can donate any time for a project that interests you, we would be very grateful. Perhaps you could help with a dinner one night, help us out when we go to the VA to entertain our wounded warriors or help with our children's parties. We have many programs to benefit our Veterans, Active Duty and their Families. If you would like to get involved, please give me a call at (619) 277-5038.
Membership
Ladies, please check your membership card and be sure you are current. If it says 2010 at the top, thank you very much, you're membership has expired. The 2011 cards are available and make you eligible for the Early Bird Dinner in November. Please renew your membership TODAY.
Veterans, Active Duty and Reserves
We are beginning to collect donations of non-perishable and canned food for our needy Active Duty families for the Holidays. Thanksgiving and Christmas are coming up and we will provide a nice meal for as many families as possible. We have a container in the foyer for your donations. Money donations are also appreciated.
Girls State
I want to sincerely thank everyone that made donations to this program. It costs about $350.00 to send a student for a week and it is worth every cent. They learn how our government works by hands on participation that lasts a lifetime. This year we sent Ashley Welch, a very talented young lady who returned and addressed the September Auxiliary meeting as follows:
First off, I'd like to thank the American Legion Auxiliary for giving me the once in a life time opportunity to get to go to Girls State! It was an experience I will never forget and I learned many new things about our government that some will never know. At first I was worried and scared that I would not fit in or that the girls would not like me but I was surely wrong! I met many girls from around all California that I will keep as friends for a lifetime.
Girls State took me out of my comfort zone and opened my eyes to many new opportunities. I lived with a roommate for a week and shared a bathroom with eight different girls whom I had never met before. Even thought it was a very diverse group of girls we all had some things in common and those were that we were all driven and committed to bettering ourselves for our future and we were all considered to be the top of our class.
This was one of the longest, yet perhaps most fun weeks of my life. I was chosen to be the friendship chairmen and run friendship time every night. I was also chosen to serve on a jury. Although it was only a mock trial, it seemed so real and I felt that the future of the person's life was in my hands. At the conclusion of the trial, we found the defendant guilty of cyber bullying.
One of the ways that Girls State has helped me to grow is that it has given me the confidence to speak in public as I am doing tonight. Before Girls State I had never spoken in front of more than a class full of students. I had never had the confidence to speak in front of a large group.
From day one, my city, the city of Muir spent hours planning cheers and decorating our city in preparation for judging for the Governor's cup. In order to win the Governor's cup your city needs dedication, liveliness, spirit, and be well rounded. We made a balloon arch at different stores. We hung streamers and put up posters. We posted our city map and laws for everyone to see. While walking through other cities or waiting to be called in the dining hall, we would all be pumped up and cheering loud. This was a big deal at Girls State. We would sneak over to other cities and see how they were decorating and get some ideas. Other cities would sneak over to our city to steal our ideas as well. While sleeping one night, a city came into our city and stole our balloon arch and other decorations. On another night there was a murder in our city. In order to stay in the running for the Governor's Cup, we had to investigate and find out who committed the murder. All this time and dedication paid off because the city of Muir won the Governor's Cup. This was the first time at Girls State that Muir had ever won the Cup. (Side note: It's a first for Post 460 and we understand District 22 as well)
My favorite part of Girls State was being a part of the Blue Star Banner Girls. This was a small group of about 15 girls who had someone in the family in the military. It was nice to meet other girls I could talk to about military life and the challenges that come with it.
All in all Girls State was an amazing time and a real eye opener. I would do it all again if I had the chance. Thanks again to the American Legion Auxiliary for giving me one of the most fun weeks of my life.
Like I said, worth every penny. We are very proud of Ashley and confident her Parents, Jason (Active Duty Marine) and Crystal Welsh are too.
Thank you,
June Coatney
Unit 460 President
Unit 460 President
June Coatney
Our meetings are on the first Tuesday of each month at 6:30pm. Drop by and see what we are doing and why decisions are made. Your opinion matters here.