A heritage of vision and leadership.

When the Auxiliary was formed in 1922, the founders had a vision--a vision to assist disabled veterans and their families, widows and orphans to receive the benefits they rightly deserved and needed.

In the aftermath of World War I, the "war to end all wars," many members probably did not think the need for our organization would continue this far into the future. Nonetheless, they developed and created solid programs and guidelines many of which we still follow, and all of which formed a solid foundation on which to continue building our Auxiliary.

Less than a quarter of a century later America was at war again, and the women who started our organization mobilized to help a new generation of disabled veterans and their families. Their leadership and mentoring of new members during and following World War II passed the torch of leadership and compassion to a new generation with confidence.

The Auxiliary leadership of the WWII generation relied on the experience and encouragement of the founding members to strengthen the organization. They knew teamwork was the key to success and breaking with the past could easily jeopardize the future of the Auxiliary. The new generation of Auxiliary leaders was soon at work assisting disabled veterans, their family members and survivors.

Within the next quarter of century, Auxiliary leaders found themselves and their members called on to help build better lives for disabled veterans of the Korean War and the Vietnam War. Some in our Auxiliary watched three and sometimes four generations of loved ones go off to war and return disabled. Through it all, the Auxiliary was there to help disabled veterans and their families build better lives; and through it all, they honed their skills as leaders.

Through competent leadership, our Auxiliary has grown ever more successful for 85 years. Our leaders have made members feel welcome, shared their stories and touched our lives; they offered their experience and wisdom, and encouraged us to become leaders; they passed the torch and mentored us as the previous generation had done so for them.

We have a vision--a vision of the Auxiliary as it was, as it is and as it can be. Our leaders of the past gave us that legacy to build on. It is now up to us to lead, build and nurture the next generation of Auxiliary leaders.

Currently returning disabled veterans may have advanced medical technology and a more accepting society, but they and their families still need the same support our Auxiliary has given to veterans in the past. They face the same fears and uncertainty as the veterans that came before them, and it is our obligation to reach out and show them compassion and understanding.

The battle is not over for benefits for disabled veterans and their families. Future Auxiliary leaders will help carry that battle in ways we can only imagine as communication and access to information continue to evolve at an ever increasing pace.

True leaders know they will not be here forever, and to fulfill our mission of building better lives for disabled veterans and their families will require even better leaders in the future. Good leaders are teachers. They take the opportunity to share information, gather and involve the members. They create a team effort and provide explanation and guidance. They know members want to be involved, productive and successful.

Leaders do not see obstacles, they see challenges. Leaders also know you do not always succeed on the first try, but you learn from your mistakes and try again with the new knowledge. Leaders are also open minded and listen to suggestions from all their team members, but ultimately they make the decision and they take the responsibility for it. In essence leaders have the courage, knowledge and integrity to get the job done. And, I am proud to say, I have witnessed countless Auxiliary leaders doing just that.

Lee Iacocca once said, "Your legacy should be that you made it better than it was when you got it." Our Auxiliary is a work in progress and will continue to be as long as there is a disabled veteran or dependent in our society. Be a mentor and lead our Auxiliary to the best that it can be.