Department of New Hampshire

VFW National Home for Children Annual Life Members Meeting

Posted at 03:37 PM on Thursday, November 5, 2009 by New Hampshire Blog Master

From: Brett Mangold [mailto:bmangold@vfwnationalhome.org]
Sent: Wednesday, November 04, 2009 4:26 PM
To: adjvfwdlac@gmail.com
Subject: VFWNH Press Release - 2009 Annual Life Member Meeting - For Immediate Release

Annual Life Member Meeting Installs New Trustees and Examines Past Year

Eaton Rapids, Mich. – The VFW National Home for Children hosted the Annual Meeting of Life Members on Saturday, October 24. The Annual Meeting, open to all Life Members of the National Home, examined the past year as well as the future of the National Home.

Highlights of the meeting included the formal installation of new board officers and trustees.  Newly elected trustees Larry Wade, National Home District 3 and Yvonne Crawford, District 4, as well as Al Cantu, who is appointed as District 10 Trustee, were sworn in along with new Board President, Raymond Warren, Vice President, Donna Knapper, and Board Secretary-Treasurer, Garry Goff.

Outgoing District 3 Trustee and Board President, Ron Stensland, District 4 Trustee and Past President, Roger Taylor, and recently retired Trustee, Roy Ator of District 10 were honored during the meeting for their service to the National Home.

The two outgoing Trustees thanked everyone in attendance for their support and expressed their love of the National Home before being presented commemorative photo displays depicting their work for the National Home.  After remarks were made regarding the work and generosity of Past District 10 Trustee, Roy Ator, new District 10 Trustee, Al Cantu, accepted a commemorative photo display on Roy’s behalf.

“It was an honor and a pleasure to serve as a Trustee,” said Stensland, “I wish the new Trustees and officers the best of luck in providing Help, Hope and Honor to our nation’s veterans and their families and I pledge my continued support.”

Taylor shared similar feelings as Stensland adding “I have met and worked with some wonderful people with good hearts who truly care for the children and families of veterans during my time on the board.”

Trustees and friends also honored recently deceased District 7 Trustee, Jim Goldsmith.  Heartfelt stories were shared before a special memorial plaque was presented to Pat Palmer, the sister of Goldsmith.

Executive Director, Patrice Green made an annual report to the membership and thanked them for all their support, love and contributions to the VFW National Home for Children.  The meeting concluded with a slideshow of photos from the past year showing the educational and enriching activities the children and residents were able to experience due to member support. 

Since 1925 the VFW National Home for Children has been providing for the children and families of our nation’s veterans, while at the same time serving as a living memorial to our nation’s heroes.  For more information on the National Home, please call (517) 663-1521, toll-free at (800) 424-8360 or visit www.vfwnationalhome.org.

Brett Mangold

VFW National Home for Children
Public Relations Specialist
1-517-663-7012
bmangold@vfwnationalhome.org