A Year to Remember and Build On
Shannon Werner, Executive Director, Secretary-Treasurer
What a busy 2025 for the American Legion Auxiliary Department of Michigan. There are literally thousands of activities that have occurred, been addressed, resolved, changed, supported, and completed here at headquarters. Luckily, Mike and I both love a good challenge, and we don’t give up.
As we enter the new year of 2026, remember this is America’s 250th Anniversary. Just imagine how many men and women served in the military to get us to this point. What situations were encountered? What were the conditions they fought in? Where did they serve? Did they return home? When I get discouraged, I think about what our Veterans have endured, and it gives me the motivation I need to complete whatever I have before me.
From the American Revolution to the Global War on Terror, our Veterans have selflessly given of themselves so that we can celebrate America’s 250th birthday. I think about my “whys” all the time, and I can imagine them being so proud of the good works we are doing within the Auxiliary and the entire Legion family.
Let’s make it a “Mission Possible,” as our Department President, Dawn Gramza, would say, and reach 30,000 Auxiliary members by July 2026. We can always use help, and new members can really invigorate a Unit, a District, and a Department. Hope to see you in Port Huron, Michigan, February 6th-8th, 2026, for our Winter Meeting. Happy New Year!