I am currently working at the new
Marshall’s store in Redmond. My most major activity is the VFW Auxiliary.
I am married to a prince of a man,
Joseph Steller. Joe is a Navy veteran, and I joined the Auxiliary under his
eligibility.
I am a life member of the Art Horsell
Deschutes VFW Post 4108 Auxiliary in Redmond, OR.
I joined the Auxiliary in October 2015.
I am a Navy veteran, and I gave birth to
the next generation of Navy sailors. It was important to me that I do what I
could to ensure that my son was taken care of when he left active-duty service.
Being a veteran and having a veteran son and husband, veterans’ rights and
benefits became very important to me.
My previous husband was
a Coast Guard veteran. In an effort to get him help for his PTSD, I learned
about the VFW and the VFW Auxiliary. Long story short, at that time I was
ineligible to join the Auxiliary but that all changed.
The summer of 2015,
Joe, his sister Irene, and I went to the Deschutes County fair. We went into
the main exhibit hall to get out of the heat and get something to eat. While
there, we wandered around the exhibits and came across the VFW recruiting
booth. I made the two of them stop and talk to the guys that were working in
the booth. Lo and behold, BOTH of them joined the VFW!!! As Joe’s wife I was
finally able to join the Auxiliary and begin my journey to helping veterans and
their families.
At the local level I have held the
following:
Conductress
Jr. Vice
President
Secretary
Americanism Chairperson
Mentoring for Leadership Chairperson
Veterans and Family Support Chairperson
At the District level I have held the
following:
Trustee (5 years)
President
At the Department level I have held the following:
Conductress (currently)
Veterans and Family Support Chairperson
(currently)
I have four amazing children. Paul, my
oldest is a 10-year Navy veteran and VFW member. Curtis is my middle son;
daughter Jillian and youngest James are all life members of our VFW Auxiliary
in Redmond. I am very blessed to have a beautiful granddaughter, Annabelle,
whom I hope one day will be an active member of the Auxiliary as well.
My other memberships include:
Life member of American Legion Post 44
in Redmond, OR
Life member of the Oregon Veterans Motorcycle
Association, High Desert Chapter.