The Sixth District American Legion Auxiliary held their 2025 mid-winter conference Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, in Melrose. The Auxiliary held their meeting at the Melrose City Center.
The meeting was called to order at 8 a.m. by Sixth District Auxiliary President, Dori Hamilton.
District Sergeant-at-Arms Renee Berscheid called for a hand salute with the flag of our country being in place. District Chaplain Carol Santone-Royal gave invocation. First Vice-President Wendy Grittner led the Pledge of Allegiance. Second Vice-President Abby Zenzen led the National Anthem. Shirley Frederick District Parliamentarian led the Preamble and District National Security Chairman Gail Lattimer draped the POW/MIA Banner.
Welcomes were given by Unit 101 American Legion Auxiliary President Kelly Stueve-Roering. The Commander of Post 101 gave a welcome and the Mayor of Melrose also gave a welcome.
President Dori introduced the District Officers: Special guest was the Department of Minnesota American Legion Auxiliary President Judy Ackerman.
District Chairmen gave their reports, and question and answer time took place where members could ask questions concerning the chairmen’s reports.
Among the chairmen, from Kimball Unit 261 was Abby Zenzen reporting on the Auxiliary Emergency Fund and Teresa Stuart reporting on Junior activities. Teresa also gave a Welcome for the Honorary Junior President Anita Mertens-Maxson. Anita is a junior member of the Kimball Junior Unit. She was unable to be at the conference. Carol Santone-Royal also gave a report on Memorial.
After the reports, President Dori gave closing remarks, Benediction by Carol Santone-Royal, Retirement of the POW/MIA Banner by Gail Lattimer, and a hand salute to the flag by Renee Berscheid. The meeting was adjourned and recessed for lunch.
After lunch, there was a joint session at the Melrose Legion Club with the Legionaires and Sons of the Legion.
Sixth District American Legion Commander Frank Grittner led the afternoon session.
A highlight of the afternoon session was the guest speaker. She is a 12th-grader from Melrose High School who won the State Voice of Democracy. Her name is Lydia Prout and she is a very good speaker who had everyone’s attention. The session was adjourned by Commander Frank Grittner.
Submitted by Renee Berscheid, Kimball American Legion Auxiliary Public Relations Chairman