Local attends VFW auxiliary national convention

Past national president Glenneta Vogelsang of Cape Girardeau, a member of Clippard, Wilson, Taylor Auxiliary 3838, participated in the 91st National Convention of the Ladies Auxiliary to the VFW of the United States held recently in Ohio. Vogelsang will serve as a member of the 2004-2005 National Advisory Committee.

Attendees were recognized for serving 1.9 million hours in hospitals nationwide, raising $3 million for the auxiliary's Cancer Aid and Research Fund for the 16th consecutive year and donating $552,041 for Operation Uplink, providing long-distance phone cards to troops and hospitalized veterans.

During the convention the national president presented $5,000 to the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center for research and special honors to members and students.

As a result of collecting items for troops at the National Convention, hundreds of supplies will be shipped. Since Sept. 12, 2003, shipments have been made to Iraq, Afghan-istan and Kuwait.

In addition to the donations presented during the convention, contributions including $20,000 to M.D. Anderson Cancer Clinic in Texas, $17,000 to the National Veterans' Golden Age Games, $6,000 to the National Veterans' Wheelchair Games, $2,500 to the University of Kansas, Wichita, $2,000 to the Liberty Memorial World War I Museum in Missouri, $1,000 to the Fisher House Foundation in Germany and $1,000 to the Armed Forces Service Center in Minnesota were made by the organization during 2003 and 2004.

Attendees had the opportunity to view the three winning entries in the National Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest and participate in VFW activities including a memorial service and a patriotic rally.

Election and installation of national president JoAnne Ott and other national officers concluded the convention.