Dear Oregon Auxiliary Brothers and Sisters,     

It is my honor to serve you and our department as Americanism Chairman for the 2025- 2026 year.

Americanism is the patriotism, pride, and ritual of our country. The history of our flag’s development, experience and meaning runs deep and vast. It is a privilege and duty to educate, promote, and embrace what the American Flag means. As members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary, we are a symbolic group associated with flying our country’s flag with the utmost respect and proper form.

This year’s National Challenge is to: host an activity and/or event providing flag education with the emphasis ofrespect and proper display. Please send me a description of your activity and event to judge and submit to National to compete within our division. I can only submit one and will be looking for creativity and effectiveness.

My goal is to support and mentor Americanism not only with cuing our patriotic days of remembrance and holidays, flag education in our homes and communities, but also the work of our Defense Prisoner of War (POW)/Missing in Action (MIA) Accounting Agency (DPAA). Remember Action Corp? As you may recall, it is not fully legislative. The POW/MIA section falls under Americanism and is reportable.

For social media patriotic posts, please don’t forget to add #VFWAuxiliary and #AuxiliaryPatriotism to support our strength in what we do. Please also note that on the back of my card are two QR codes for your convenience to quick share Auxiliary: (1) Membership and (2) Americanism "what we do.”

I have a few new exciting ideas and challenges to unveil in hopes of firing up our hearts more for the pride of our country, while acknowledging those who have sacrificed to keep it the land of free and home of the brave. Let’s have some fun!

Yours in God and Country,