Hello fellow Sound Off readers! Before we know it, we will be in Green Bay for the March SEC and Commander Dale and my testimonial. I am super excited to see everyone again, and I hope all of you are doing good and great things!
I am going to give a recap of my activities since the last SEC which I added prior invitations to that report. So, in November 2022 I worked with AMVETS 1051 and AMVETS Ladies 1051 Stevens Point, to do a recruitment event. We did not get any new Auxiliary members and I believe Post 1051 got a new member. We will plan another in the later Spring.
The State Dance in Waupaca was a lot of fun, and I took a lot of pictures for my Historian Char Wagner to add to my book. The turnout was good, great raffles and fun dancing and eating. I brought a load of donations to pass off to AMVETS Post 2180 Tomah and got to visit with Don and Glenn. This donation was from Auxiliary 1051. AMVETS Post 1032 Reedsville invited me to Breakfast with Santa. There were 4 AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary members from 1051 Stevens Point there helping also. Myself, Char Wagner, Emily Rataichek, and Nicole Svacina. Needless to say, I felt right at home! The breakfast was delicious, and there were raffles and a beautiful quilt was also raffled off. I got a lot of pictures with Santa and got to whisper in his ear what I really wanted for Christmas! And I won the quilt! Unfortunately, I missed AMVETS Post 7 & Post 7 AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary, Oshkosh Christmas party due to inclement weather.
On December 7th AMVETS 2nd District’s Pearl Harbor Memorial Observance was held at the War Memorial Center on Lincoln Dr. in Milwaukee. Due to another commitment, Debra Burdick stepped in for me. She made us all proud with her beautiful speech which I will add to my book. However, I was able to attend a Wreaths across America National Remembrance Ceremony on Dec. 17th at the Korean War Memorial in Plover, WI. I represented the AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary along with Ann Hazelton who represented the VFW Auxiliary 10262. My next event was Post 4, Ladies Auxiliary & Sons of AMVETS Awards dinner on Dec. 10th in South Milwaukee. Debra Burdick received from her Auxiliary the Member of the Year award! A wonderfully planned event with awesome food and company. I got to meet some of the ladies that I had not had the pleasure to meet face to face before, which makes these events so special.
Before leaving Milwaukee the next day, I contacted Auxiliary 3 Racine, Kathy Hawkins, and stopped by their place for a very nice visit. Auxiliary 3 was kind enough to donate gift baskets for a veteran family Auxiliary 1051 sponsored for a Holiday Basket.
December 18th, I attended VFW 10262 Plover, WI Rifle Squad Breakfast with Santa. My granddaughter, Alexus who is a AMVETS Ladies 1051 youth volunteer helped by being Santa’s ELF. Alexus is 17 and has been a youth volunteer most of those years!
I hope to see a lot of you readers at the Sweetheart Dance in Sturgeon Bay Feb. 11th at the Lodge at Leathem Smith, 1640 Memorial Dr. Sturgeon Bay, WI. AMVETS Post 51 cordially invites you and your sweetheart to their annual event!
Call Bill Forry at 920-559-8019 to get reservation information by Feb. 2nd.
I would like to thank all the Auxiliaries and Posts who have extended invitations to date and hope to continue with my travels until June Convention. I know that March is filled up with National NEC in DC and our next SEC and Testimonial.
Stay well and thank you all for all you do for our Veterans, and God Bless America!
Deborah Suchon
