By LAAH TUCKER
Special to Hays Post
NATOMA — American Legion Auxiliary national, state and Kansas district 6 officers and members gathered for a fall conference of the American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary and Sons of the American Legion on Oct. 22 in Natoma.
Post 109 and Unit 109 hosted the event in the newly restored WWII Army Air Corps barrack.
Post 109 Commander William Workman and Unit 109 President Laah Tucker welcomed members and guests.
The morning joint session provided Kansas Legion Commander Jeremy Ehart, Topeka, to present the national campaign, “Be the One," emphasizing the need to combat veterans’ PTSD and suicides.
Alton Unit President Peggy Anschutz presented a solemn remembrance for POWs.
Following a full morning of presentations, updates, and planning, Natoma Auxiliary members served a full course noon dinner to guests.
The auxiliary’s afternoon session included updates by President Marsha Cottrell, Kansas president; Nancy Evans, district president; Jeanne Haas, national poppy chair; Cindy Ward, fundraising; Bonnie Axtell, district 6 secretary, and others.
Since 1919, auxiliary members have worked tirelessly by volunteering thousands of hours annually to uplift active military, veterans, their families, children, youth, and community.
Natoma American Legion Auxiliary will host the 13th-annual Veterans Salute with Natoma USD 399 students, from 9 to 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 10. Veterans and members of the community are invited to attend “Every Hero Has a Story” exhibit, veteran-student panel discussion, patriotic musical production with American Legion color guard, bagpiper, and special guests.
Veterans are invited to a noon dinner with students by calling Shawna Dunlap at 785-885-4478.