Alaska VFW State Convention, Mid May

 Hi Team!  Alaska is a different country when you visit in May versus the dead of winter! Instead of darkness, snow, fog, and bone chilling weather it has been a pleasant 40-50 degrees with sunshine about 18 or more hours a day.  It really is a night and day difference!

As much as this great weather puts a smile on my face, I’ve become acquainted with a winged creature resembling a small sparrow yet the folks here claim they are just mosquitoes.  Well, when I saw a few of these black nightmares trying to carry off a small dog, I knew they have a different perspective up here.  I’m happy to report that I won’t need to donate blood for a while as I think these flying hypodermic needles took at least a pint, maybe more during my stay!

I got here on the same flight with our National Senior Vice President, and my counterpart, Jean Hamil.  We were met at the airport and had a great dinner with the VFW Commander and Senior Vice, along with the Auxiliary President, Senior Vice, and Junior Vice.  It was pretty late so it was off to the Best Western at Lake Lucille for a few hours rest before all of the great events.

This convention was packed with events and I will say each one seemed to be better than the one before.  There’s a spirit of jointness between the VFW and Auxiliary and everyone pulls together to move things forward.  Rugged individualism meets camaraderie and you have the secret to success.   We met at the Susitna Post and they have a very large camping area.  RVs and trailers were all over and there was a festive tail-gating atmosphere before and after all the meetings.  Mama would have enjoyed romping around with all the other dogs who were having so much fun.

A few highlights included an amazing joint memorial service.  Not only did the National Soloist absolutely crush her songs [not a dry eye in the house!] but as the names of the deceased were read their Post and Auxiliary members walked over and placed poppies on the altar.  So moving!  Jean and I were honored to place poppies in the name of the deceased members-at-large who had no Post to honor them.

No convention is complete without training and we had that in abundance. Using Zoom, our National Membership and Programs Departments joined us virtually and were able to provide top notch, just in time training to the whole crowd.  Technology is here to stay, is inexpensive, and the folks in Alaska have embraced it fully.  In house training was also provided and we had an opportunity for a lengthy informal roundtable to discuss leadership, recruiting, service and so much more at all levels of the organization.  I was even able to go visit an outstanding veterans War Memorial the city of Wasilla erected.  Great Job!

One of the big takeaways from my official visit to Alaska?  It’s a family.  Female veterans in the Chair offices and other critical areas; Male non-veterans in the Auxiliary Chairs...next year for the Auxiliary  the President, Senior Vice President, and Junior Vice President will all be males.  I think this might be a first!  The old bright lines have been erased and everyone is encouraged to be the best they can be.  How refreshing!!  Diversity truly abounds in Alaska and everyone is here for one purpose:  Veteran and Community Service!

Alaska Commander Todd Maynard, the first of Class 122 to be installed

Todd and some of the officers really worked hard during the convention.  I'm so impressed with the Alaska VFW!

The Memorial where Jean and I placed poppies for deceased members at large from both the VFW and the Auxiliary.  This was a touching tribute and everyone in the audience participated

National Auxiliary Soloist Willa Watts.  The Voice of an Angel!

Veterans Memorial

Many organizations contributed to the success of this Memorial

Todd, me, and Past State Commander Carol.  This restaurant has the best food and fastest service I have ever encountered.  If you are in Wasilla, Alaska you must eat here!

Yes, it really was like this!