Ladies Auxiliary Department members listed

Dianna Bennett was elected state president of the Ladies Auxiliary Department of Montana. She is past president of Bigfork Auxiliary 4042.

Others elected during Department sessions in Missoula were Judy Arnold, state senior vice president, Miles City, Auxiliary 1579; Connie Hangen, state junior vice president, Great Falls, member Bigfork 4042; Mary Beth Arnold, state treasurer, Columbia Falls, member Bigfork 4042; Gale Bestland, state chaplain, Antelope, member Sidney 4099; Deanna Avent, state conductress, Billings 1634; Margaret Fay, state guard, Ronan 5652; Jane Loucks, state secretary, Thompson Falls, belongs to Plains 3596. Her membership will transfer to Thompson Falls 12113 when instituted in July.

Dixie Hild, past national president from Nebraska, was national representative in attendance. Mary Parkhill, president, Auxiliary 5650, who passed away last year, was one of the 143 members honored when the charter was draped.

Check for $1,000 for Liberty House at Fort Harrison was presented by Lewistown Auxiliary 1703. This is a home where spouses and/or families of seriously ill veterans can stay. The house has eight bedrooms, each with a bathroom, contains laundry facilities, community kitchen and living room. It is located on Fort Harrison grounds. House was built by donations and grants. Prisoners at Deer Lodge made all the furniture.

Auxiliary Department programs include donating each month to help with projects, supply carts and parties for veterans at four facilities. These are Montana Veterans’ Home, Columbia Falls; Fort Harrison VA, Glendive VA Hospital and Miles City VA Hospital.

Another major project of the Montana Auxiliary Department is supporting the VFW National Home for Children at Eaton Rapids, Mich. Home, started in an old frame farm house in 1925, now has a sprawling campus. Families and children of veterans are assisted through times of crisis at the campus as well as in their own communities.

Auxiliary Department business included contributing to the Montana Farmstead at the National Home. This enables children to have garden sites and animals for 4-H projects. Farmstead includes a house and barn.

National VFW Auxiliary sessions in Reno take place July 21 to 25 with several state officers representing Montana. Leanne Lemley from Iowa will be installed as national president. One of her first duties is visiting Auxiliaries in the Flathead Aug. 2, 3 and 4.

Department VFW officers are Denny Nolf, state commander, Anaconda Post 1876; Ed Croucher, senior vice commander, Libby Post 1548; Art Wivholm, state junior vice commander, Glasgow Post 3107; Tim Peters, state quartermaster, Wolf Creek, member East Helena Post 10010. Mike Bennett, Bigfork 4042, is outgoing state commander. Department sessions in 2013 will be in Billings.

Gladys Shay is a longtime resident and columnist for the Hungry Horse News.