Dawn Gramza, Department President
2025-2026 Supporting Adaptive Sports for Veterans
Welcome to November! A time to celebrate our Veterans and to be thankful for the people and things in our lives. First, let me express my gratitude to the chairpersons who gave presentations at the fall conference. What a fantastic job they did of instructing the members and officers in attendance. Thank you to the crew who decorated the room with “Mission Possible.” Those secret agents did a fabulous job. I hope you have all gone back to your Units and Districts to teach and mentor the membership. We will succeed because of YOU.
My Special Project. Did you know that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care system treats over 94,000 Veterans with at least one amputation? Between 2009 and 2019, there was a 34% increase in Veterans with amputations. Most of the amputees who served before the Global War on Terror have amputations due to medical conditions. For GWOT Veterans, a large proportion has resulted from combat operations.
Losing a limb or more can have a devastating effect on the body and mind. Or losing the ability to walk again, confined to a wheelchair, can create a life of isolation and depression.
My special project focuses on supporting the area of “Adaptive Sports for Veterans.” The VA and nonprofits look for ways to assist Veterans with amputations, blindness, or other physical disabilities, so that they can participate in sports such as downhill skiing, golf, ice hockey, cycling, or a variety of different activities.
Will you help me raise awareness and support for this endeavor? If you haven’t heard of adaptive sports, the department has created a webpage at www.michalaux.org/sp to tell you more about it. I do not have a particular organization in mind yet. However, all proceeds raised will go to helping an organization or Veterans who need help so they can participate. The goal is to show as many Veterans as we can that they can participate.
If you would like to donate to my special project, checks can be made out to American Legion Auxiliary, Department of Michigan, with ‘President’s Special Project’ in the memo. Send the check to the American Legion Auxiliary Department of Michigan, 212 North Verlinden Ave, Suite B, Lansing, MI 48915.
Thank you for all you do for our Veterans and their families. You are truly amazing. I am humbled and grateful to be your Department President.