Community News
The Hometown Newspaper Apache Junction - Gold Canyon NewsApril 14 - April 20, 2008 Page B-1
V.F.W. Auxiliary President Honored
Arizona President Debi Rankin honored at Mid-Year Conference
Arizona's Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars President Debi Rankin of Apache Junction, a member of Superstition Mountain Auxiliary #9399, was honored during the National Mid-Year Conference of the Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States held April 4 through 6, 2008. Rankin is one of 47 State Presidents who achieved the goal of 85 percent membership by December 31, 2007. At a special reception, National President Virginia Carman of Renton, Wash., honored each with a medallion recognizing her leadership. The event took place at the Hilton Palm Springs Resort in Palm Springs, Calif., with more than 300 members from throughout the country in attendance. In addition to honoring the State Presidents, the purpose of the conference was to discuss the mid-year progress of the Ladies Auxiliary’s 12 community service programs such as the Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest and the Hospital & VA Voluntary Service Program. Of particular interest was the status of their Cancer Aid & Research funds as members strive to raise more than $3 million for the Auxiliary’s fund. The 581, 245 members of the nationwide organization are wives, mothers, daughters and other female relatives of those who have served during a war. As when the organization began in 1914, serving veterans continues to be its major goal. Supporting America’s active-duty military personnel by shipping care packages and sending them free long-distance telephone cards are just two of the ways the organization serves them today. For more information about how you can help, or to apply for Ladies Auxiliary VFW youth scholarships and cancer research grants visit their Web site at ladiesauxvfw.org.