LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Maine’s president, Joy Andreasen of Cumberland Center, a member of Deering Memorial Ladies Auxiliary 6859, led the state delegation of the Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. at the 100th National Convention held July 20-24 at the Kentucky International Convention Center.

As leading representative of the state, she voiced the delegates’ votes during the election of national officers and played a key role in deciding the direction of the national organization for 2012-13.

A highlight of the convention was the announcement of the Outstading Department Presidents in the 11 membership groups at the National President’s Dinner. Many guests visited the delegation and resolutions to the bylaws were reviewed and voted on.

Other highlights included viewing of the eight winning 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 Rally.

The national president 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 our country.

The national president also thanked members for volunteering 1.2 million hours in hospitals, raising $2.4 million for the organization’s Cancer Aid and Research Fund, and for donating $315,000 to VFW National Military Services, which includes Operation Uplink to provide long-distance calling opportunities to deployed soldiers and hospitalized veterans.

Thousands of dollars have been donated to cancer research facilities across the country. Nation president Lemley sent funds to the Women in Military Service to America Memorial Foundation, the VFW Oklahoma Relief Fund for victims of the spring tornadoes, the Hospitalized Veterans Writing Project and Warriors for Freedom.

The election and installation of national president Armithea “Sissy” Borel, a Life Member of Starks Memorial Auxiliary 4759, and other 2013-14 national officers took place July 24. It marks the beginning of the organization’s 100th year of service.

To learn more about the 500,000-member organization, visit www.ladiesauxvfw.org.