At the far left, president for Wrangell's American Legion Auxiliary Marilyn Mork stands with a dozen other recipients of their states' "Woman of the Year" awards, during the ALA National Convention in Reno on August 22.
Women from the local American Legion Auxiliary took part in the national organization's 97th annual convention last week.
Three members from Merlin Elmer Palmer, Auxiliary Unit 6, joined 1,500 other delegates, as well as alternates and guests from around the United States in Reno, Nevada. Accompanied by Barbara Hommel and Zona Gregg, respectively the chapter's vice president and treasurer, president Marilyn Mork was recognized as Alaska's Woman of the Year.
"I was kind of surprised that I was the woman of the year," Mork said of the award. She has been a member of the AMA for about eight years, supporting the Wrangell chapter's various projects and endeavors. "It's something I like to do, to help people wherever I'm needed."
It was her first time attending the national convention, and it was a memorable affair. "I was in awe at all the people that were there," Mork recounted. "It was overwhelming to me."
A luncheon honored the awardees from all 50 states, with recipients given a plaque and flowers for their service.
For nearly a century, the ALA has been dedicated to serving the United States' veterans, actively serving personnel and their dependents. The group estimates its members provided millions of hours of volunteer service annually, about $2 billion worth.
The group's weeklong convention started with a parade on August 18, and attendees participated in meetings, divisional caucuses, sessions on how to continue the ALA's mission, the nomination of state- and national-level officers, and other recognitions.
On August 23 the Auxiliary conventioneers also joined the American Legion and Reno-area residents for a presidential visit. About 9,000 people were estimated to have been in attendance as President Donald Trump signed into law an act prohibiting the sale of either the Medal of Honor or the Purple Heart, respectively the military's highest decoration and awarded to those wounded or killed during service.
He also delivered a speech of about 20 minutes, encouraging national unity.
"It was a nice treat to have the President there," said Mork. It had been the first time she had been in the same building as a sitting president, and she had a good view of the podium. "I was about seven rows from the front."
The group's next activity is to replace the doors on the Legion Hall. A grant from the American Legion's national headquarters is paying for the needed improvements. The project is planned for the morning of September 9, from 8:30 until noon. The Legion is looking for around 30 volunteers to help with the door replacement. Mork said lunch will be provided afterward.
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