Members of the American Legion Auxiliary(ALA)Department of  Pennsylvania from Centre, Lycoming & Clinton Council were hosted by the American Legion Auxiliary Unit # 893 of Milesburg with their November meeting being  held at  the Milesburg American Legion Post # 893. Special guest was Beverly Reinhard  President of the American Legion Auxiliary, Department of Pennsylvania. The National American Legion Auxiliary was formed,in 1920.  The American Legion Auxiliary is, currently, the largest womens patriotic service organization with nearly 1 million  members in 10,100 communities.These ladies all are a unique group of women, joined in fellowship of volunteerism, patriotism and dedication to our veterans, our troops,  their families,young people and their communities.They help support programs that provide help to America’s children, veterans and military families.

Very nice program for “OUR HEROES, OUR VETERANS”! Picture (facing) left to right: Pat Wilson, Le Chapeau Department – Eight and Forty; Carol Wert Walker, Central Vice President of the American Legion Auxiliary (ALA),Department of Pennsylvania; Col Gary Brindle, Guest speaker; Beverly Reinhard, President of the American Legion Auxiliary, Department of Pennsylvania; Carole Aldinger, AFFY Council and  District President of the Department of Pennsylvania’s ALA and Debra Frank, President of Wesley Yeager ALA Unit # 606 of Fort Loudon

Bradford, Potter & Tioga American Legion Auxiliary Council Members of the American Legion Auxiliary(ALA)Department of  Pennsylvania from Bradford, Potter and Tioga Council were hosted by the American Legion Auxiliary Unit # 192 of Coudersport with their November meeting being  held at  the Coudersport American Legion Post # 192. Special guest was Carol Wert Walker, Central Vice President of  the American Legion Auxiliary, Department of Pennsylvania. The National American Legion Auxiliary was formed,in 1920.  The American Legion Auxiliary is, currently, the largest womens patriotic service organization with nearly 1 million members in 10,100 communities.These ladies all are a unique  group of women, joined in fellowship of volunteerism, patriotism and dedication to our veterans, our troops, their families,young people and their communities.They help support programs that provide help to America’s children, veterans and military families.

Members of the American Legion Auxiliary(ALA) Unit # 46 of Chambersburg hosted the Adams, Franklin, Fulton, York (AFFY) ALA council meeting in October.  Greetings were extended by ALA Unit # 46 President, Darlene Miller;  American Legion Post # 46 Commander, Charles Miller; 22nd District Commander of the American Legion Department of Pennsylvania, Robert John and Bill Sherman, 22nd District Commander of the Sons of The American Legion(SAL)  Detachment of Pennsylvania. Special guest for AFFY Council meeting was  Carol Wert Walker, Central Vice President of the American Legion Auxiliary,  Department of Pennsylvania. 

In Picture(facing- left to right):front row:  Carol Wert Walker, Central Vice President of the American Legion Auxiliary, Department of Pennsylvania; Darlene Miller, President of ALA Unit # 46; Donna Snyder,  2nd Vice President of ALA Unit # 46 2nd row: Doris Krieble, Treasurer of ALA Unit # 46; Shirley Cump, 1st Vice  President of ALA Unit # 46; Carole Aldinger, AFFY Council President and  District President of Adams, Franklin, Fulton and York Counties of the American Legion Auxiliary Department of Pennsylvania; Esther Wagner, ALA Unit # 46 VA & R Chairman; Teresa Sherman, ALA Unit # 46’s Secretary back row: Bill Sherman, 22nd SAL District Commander of the American Legion Detachment of Pennsylvania; Charles Miller, Commander of American Legion Post # 46; Orlena Kuhn, Past Treasurer of ALA Unit # 46; Zeta Hamilton, Sgt.@ Arms of ALA Unit #46  and Robert John, 22nd District Commander of the American Legion, Department of Pennsylvania.

American Legion Auxiliary(ALA) Unit # 730, Pennbrook(Harrisburg), hosted the October Cumberland, Dauphin, Lebanon Council meeting. 75 members representing 18 ALA Units were present.

Pictured facing (left to right):  Mary Jane McElheny, President of American Legion Auxiliary(ALA) Unit # 730; Patricia Carnes, District President of Cumberland, Dauphin, Lebanon Counties ALA Department of Pennsylvania; Barbara Reifsnyder, President of  Cumberland, Dauphin, Lebanon Council of the ALA Department of  Pennsylvania; Carol Wert Walker, Central Vice President of the ALA Department of Pennsylvania and Joan Reinoehl, a past Department President and currently serving on the National ALA Committee for Americanism.

Paige Little, American Legion Auxiliary Department of Pennsylvania 2010-2011 Honorary Junior Chaplain from American Legion Auxiliary(ALA) Unit #340 of Duncannon and Brenda Williams ALA Department Chaplain from ALA Unit#340.They, also, had the privilege of sharing the same office last year, that of Historian. They are members of the Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata and Perry County Council.  Glenda Radel  is their District President

Clarence Hill, 91st National American Legion Commander, visits with members of the Pennsylvania American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary. Commander Hill is the National Commander of over 2.5 million members of the American Legion which is the nation’s largest veterans organization.

American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary(ALA) members attended a testimonial dinner honoring National Commander Hill at the Middeletown American Legion Post # 594.

Pictured left to right:

Wayne Walker, member of American Legion Post # 36, Jersey Shore and Asst. Sgt @ Arms for the American Legion, Department of Pennsylvania; Carl Olshefskie, member of American Legion Post # 442, Renovo and 16th District Commander of the American Legion Department of Pennsylvania; Merry Ann Olshefskie, treasurer of the ALA Unit # 442 of Renovo; National American Legion Commander Hill; Carol Wert Walker, secretary of ALA Unit # 131 and District President of Centre, Lycoming and Clinton Counties of the American Legion Auxiliary, Department of Pennsylvania; Michelle Bates, President of ALA Unit #131 of Lock Haven and John Ralston, Plains, 12th District Commander of the American Legion Department of Pennsylvania

Williamsburg American Legion Auxiliary Unit 456 held a Dance-A-Thon Saturday March 13^that the Williamsburg Veterans Memorial Center to benefit Ride2Recovery (an organization that promotes the rehabilitation of our Wounded Warriors through the use of cycling.).

Steamer from the Altoona Curve was there to welcome all the dancers to the event.

Members from the Navy’s Seabee’s were there along with Cub Scouts from Pac 353 from Williamsburg To Post The American Flag, 

Scott Derr a spokesperson and cyclist for Ride2Recovery came from Dillsburg Pa. and spoke about the R2R program, and the difference it makes in the lives of our Veterans. Derr spoke of how he got involved in the program, “ I was watching a TV show on Ride2Recovery, I thought I would mail a check. The next thing you know I am joining in on the rides.” “Getting out there and meeting our Veterans, and hearing their stories, it just makes it all worthwhile”. Derr a Marine Corps Veteran was amazed at the support from The Williamsburg Community.

Stacy Parks Chairman for the event was pleased to announce that the total raised for R2R hit the $6,000.00 mark. That’s the amount to buy one of the retrofitted Bicycle’s. Our Wounded Veterans are rehabbing on the stationery spinning bikes while recovering in our VA Hospitals around the Nation, The retrofitted bikes are mobile bikes fitted to each veterans needs. The bikes are donated to our vets through the R2R program. Once their bikes are ready the veteran can begin training to participate in cycle fest and other R2Revents where our guys get out and raise more money for more bikes and rides! It’s an on going circle where everyone wins.

Stacy Hughes Unit President was presented with a check from The American Legion Department of Pa. Western Section President Paullina Melvin; “Paullina heard about our event and came down in the rain from Beaver Falls Pa. to bring us a donation. She raised over $500 for the cause.” Barbara Lysic The Department of Pa. VA and R Chairman from Lilly Pa presented a check for over $300.00.

A silent auction was held in conjunction with the Dance, all gift baskets were donated by local businesses. Gift baskets included earrings donated by Prospector Jewelry of Martinsburg. Weekend retreats from Ramada Inn and The Hampton Inn. Along with various other prizes. The Auction raised over $500.00 for R2R.

Each participant was given tickets for free meals Snacks were also sold and the kitchen staff raised over $300. Most of the food was donated by our local stores and meat markets, along with donations from UTZ Potato Chips and Strohmans Breads. “We really couldn’t have done it all with out their support!” 

The Auxiliary will be taking donations till March 28^th2010 so if you would like to donate to the cause please make checks payable to The Williamsburg American Legion Auxiliary Unit 456 and in your memo box write R2R.Mail checks to The Williamsburg American Legion 1325 Yellow Springs Drive Williamsburg Pa, 16693.

Prizes were awarded to the children that raised the most money in donation. 1st place went to Mason and Madison Ford of Altoona Pa. they raised over $500 in donations and received an X-Box Gamming System. 2^ndPrize went to Alexis Pentland of Williamsburg Pa. raising over $200. Alexis also won an X-Box. 3^rdPlace went to Harley Leonard of Williamsburg raising over $200. Harley won a Wii System.

Event organizers were worried about the weather, some people just came and dropped off donations and wanted to hurry home and beat the rising waters. But the community pulled together and raised enough to help in the sponsorship of one American Solider!

To see more pictures visit the gallery.

Article by Lynn Akers

Bellefonte Plays Santa

Every year the Unit 33 American Legion Auxiliary finds a family in need and supplies EVERYTHING they need for a great Christmas.

 This year we learned of a family of 6 with four kids.  The mther has been sick and unable to work.  The father was recently unemployed.

The Auxiliary along with the patrons of Club 33 Bellefonte decided they would help this family ion need.  A complete Christmas dinner was provided along with bags and bags of food, grocery gift cards, and a heating oil gift card. EACH child received 25 presents from “Santa.” Of course mom and dad weren’t forgotten. It made Bellefonte’s Christmas as complete as they made the families.

Rick McClintic (post) as Santa arrives at the Ladies Auxiliary “Christmas Family” on Christmas Eve day.

Pat DeHass (club and Linda Ford (aux).

from left: Dan Barndt (club), Rose Fritts (aux.), Rusty Workman (club), Natalie McClintic (jr. aux), Linda Ford (aux).  

Kyle McClintic (SAL) and Sally Wetzel (aux).

Mary Ann Shultz and Tonia Tedrow both auxiliary

On Saturday, December 12, 2009, we were honored to have the USAV MG Roberts Smalls, LSV-8 sail into Philadelphia, PA. during the traditional Army / Navy Football Game. Our Honorable Mayor Michael Nutter and other dignitaries were among the first to greet our Military Personnel to the City of Brotherly Love.  CW4 Steven C. Brown, Commander and SFC Wilfredo Gonzalez, DET SGT lead their fine crew of the 203rd Transportation Detachment to meet and greet citizens with the history of this great vessel. The primary mission of this 314 feet long Army Watercraft Vessel is to “Provide maritime logistical and rescue support to U.S. and allied forces with or without the benefit of existing port facilities.” The commitment, sacrifice and dedication of the Crew of eight (8) Officers and twenty-three (23) Enlisted Army Personnel were recognized and appreciated by all including Santa Clause.

 For this, our South Philadelphia students enthusiastically came together to bring Seasons Greetings to the crew of USAV MG Roberts Smalls LSV-8 and nearby Navy Personnel. Shanice Samuel of Mastery Charter School (L), PA. American Legion Auxiliary - Junior Eastern Vice-President Rasheeda Muchison (C),  and Jacquelynn Stroman (R) of Russell Byers Charter School felt blessed in their lives and wanted to share their Spirit of Giving. Thank You / Appreciation cards as well as Thinsulated Gloves were provided by these youths on the behalf of the Philadelphia American Legion / Auxiliary of Lincoln Post/Unit # 89. Philadelphia will continue to support our Military and Pray for their safe travels back to their families. God Speed!