Colleen Thompson of Milford elected to national VFW position
Colleen Thompson of Milford, a member of Blue Hen Auxiliary #6483, attended the recent 104th National VFW Convention in the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, La.
The convention marks the beginning of her two-year term as representative of Delaware on the National Council of Administration, which governs the auxiliary between national conventions. A highlight of the convention was the inaugural Circle of Excellence Ceremony, where 35 department (state) presidents were honored for their leadership during the 2016-17 year. Other highlights included the opportunity for members to view all 48 entries of the Young American Creative Patriotic Art entries and the Buddy Poppy displays, in addition to attending several joint events with the VFW, such as the Joint Opening Session and the Patriotic Celebration.
During the convention, National President Colette Bishop commended the 2,000 attendees for all their hard work in honoring veterans and supporting deployed military personnel and their families. Members have spent millions of dollars and volunteer hours helping the heroes of this country. Bishop also thanked members for volunteering nearly 1 million hours in the nation's hospitals, and donating $300,000 to VFW veterans and military support programs, which includes Operation Uplink to provide long-distance calling opportunities to deployed soldiers and hospitalized veterans. Bishop has also given funds to two major cancer research centers, including MD Anderson Cancer Center, as well as to the Veterans Voices Writing Project and many other worthy causes.
The election and installation of new National President Dee Guillory, a life member of Wilkins-Edwards Auxiliary #176 in Newport News, Va., and the other 2017-18 national officers concluded the convention and brought Bishop's term to an end.
Learn more at www.vfwauxiliary.org .
