The American Legion Auxiliary held its 84th State Convention in Pequot Lakes July 11-13. Auxiliary members from the Frederick A. Metcalf Unit #261 were LuAnn Marschel, Dori Hamilton, Abby Schmidt, Carol Santone, Renee Berscheid, Col-ette VanVleet and Del Mertens. Auxiliary state president Karen Thygeson presided. Greetings were presented to the assembly of delegates by Bob Bundgaard, mayor of Breezy Point, and Cathy Malecha, mayor of Pequot Lakes. Department junior president Brandi Christensen of Delano brought greetings from the junior auxiliary. Greetings were also brought by Tim Pawlenty and Girls’ State representative Rachel Smith of Hutchinson. The keynote speaker was the National Vice-president of the Northwestern Division of the American Legion Auxiliary, Barbara Monroe, of Kevin, Mont. One highlight of the event was presentation of the newly elected district presidents. Each president spoke to the assembly. Sixth district president, LuAnn Marschel shared that her symbol is the American Flag and her theme is “Preserve the Stars and Stripes, Protect Veterans Rights.” Her project is to raise money to purchase a gas-powered courtesy cart to shuttle veterans around the St. Cloud V.A. grounds and also two wheelchair-accessible glider swings. The Kimball unit received certificates of Merit for Americanism, children and youth, community service, education, junior history, legislation, mem-orial, national security, poppies, public relations, veterans affairs and rehabilitation, and home service. Renee Berscheid received the President’s Choice award for her report on Community Service. The Kimball unit also received the Wagon Wheel Award for membership. Governor Tim Pawlenty spoke to the legionnaires, auxiliary members and SAL. He stressed the importance of supporting the troops and their families. There was a moment of silence for those who have lost their lives for our freedoms. Governor Pawlenty was then presented with a check for $175,000 for the WWII memorial. Abby Schmidt carried the sixth district flag in the Saturday evening parade. LuAnn Marschel and Rich Jansen, sixth district commander, rode together in the parade. We attended the department open houses Saturday evening and were entertained by the Drumline from Jackson, Minn., and the Chisholm Drum and Bugle Corps. Some of our members participated in the “Department Music Extravaganza.” We did a line dance which was fun to learn and perform. The newly elected officers for 2003-04 American Legion Auxil-iary Department of Minnesota are Norma Tramm of Cold Spring, president; Carol Holmgren of Cambridge, first vice-president; and Lori Skallerud of Madison, second vice-president. There were 120 units with 447 members present at the convention. Submitted by
