Department of Montana

Bitterroot held an inaugural Veterans' Appreciation dinner at the Event Center at the Ravali County Fairgrounds. The dinner took several months to organize that had over 600 people attend!! The Posts and Units from the Bitterroot Valley came together to put this together to celebrate the veterans in the valley. Stevensville Unit ALA members were a big help.

Every unit needs to get their T-Bills paid and sent in to Leila by Sept 1st. NO IF ANDS OR BUTS. I will reach out if she does not receive them.

July 2026 Hello, Auxiliary members, At our Department Convention we voted to hold our own Girls State program, it was a unanimous vote. In order to achieve this, we will need to band together and make some money. Grants are being written, donations are being solicited, AND we are having an exciting Raffle! We appropriated from Montana Outfitters a two (2) person, a two (2) night, three (3) day all inclusive, scenic guided float trip on the Missouri River. This is a relaxing,

DEPARTMENT OF MONTANA AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY 2026-2027 DISTRICT FALL MEETING SCHEDULE There are some that are still confirming the dates with the host Post. Since the Department is not traveling to the meetings for the Legion, can you add your District Presidents, so they reach out and coordinate with the host post/unit as well? Legion Department will be holding Fall Conference the first weekend in October. SAT SEPT 5 District 6 But

Hello, I am grateful for being your 26-27 Dept President. I look forward to meeting and working with you. We have a great team this year to move our programs forward and in the right direction. The 1st Vice President is Tricia McKinney and 2nd Vice President is Carol Keats. Please feel free to reach out to any of us to help in any way. We are doing a fundraiser for ALA Girls State. This is a very important event, and we need to raise funds, and EVERYBODY needs to

Hope all that attended convention had a wonderful time. Some, like myself, could not attend but I was able to listen in via phone. I am sure that your District Presidents will be passing on information they received and I will post what I can. Jackie Gangstad was installed as the Department of Montana American Legion Auxiliary President for the 2026-2027. Our other installed Department Officers for 2026-2027 are Trisha McKinney First Vice President, Carol Keats as Second

Border Unit 73 held a 250th celebration across 4 North Toole County Towns. They had a mural banner made to hang on the side of their building. There were mural t-shirts made for the celebration and raffled off. Oilmont Flag reading by Sunburst school student 250th Americanism Essay with President Carol Keat. Kevin with mural dedicated in background. Winner of 1 of the 250th mural t-shirts - Jessie Tomsheck

Sweet Grass school bell donated for Desert Storm memorial by Sweet Grass Border Post 73 Legion Hall. American Legion Auxiliary cleaned it up and decorated it.

Ladies of the Auxiliary; It has been an honor and pleasure to serve the Montana Girls State program. I worked with the most capable and selfless staff during our 2026 program in Helena. Our Director, Jennifer Dalrymple provided the delegates with a demanding and precise agenda that challenged time management, promptness, preparedness and decisive actions from the delegates. It makes me proud of the quality of people the Montana American Legion Auxiliary provides to guide,

Dear ALA Leaders, May was another productive month as we continued preparing for National Convention, supporting leadership development, and building momentum around National Poppy Day activities. The team at NHQ remained focused on member engagement, operational improvements, and preparing incoming leaders for the year ahead. One of the biggest highlights this month was the tremendous response to National Poppy Day activities across the country. From the inaugural Natio

June 2026 After much thought and many meetings and conversations, it has been decided to bring a motion up at the Convention on Friday at 10 am, to separate the Girls State program from the Boys State program. We joined with the Legion in 2022 and had a 3-year trial period. We have many concerns and reasons for wanting our own program. Our joint director, Jennifer Dalrymple has had no control or input in the program. Our Girls State chairman has not been recognized, but was t

We are in the home stretch, my year is coming to an end. I am planning a Birthday Party at our Convention, come celebrate with us at the Best Western Capitol, 1714 11th Ave. Games, prizes, money march, and business. Poppy Chairman, Dixie Parsons, has decided not to have a poppy boot contest. Chairman program reporting has been concluded, a Book of Reports will be available at our convention. If you are a chairman and need certificates contact the Dept. Secretary for the ca

American Legion Auxiliary Unit 130 passed out poppies at the Sun River Valley Church of Latter-Day Saints. We also assisted the AL Post and Sons of American Legion to setup for the Memorial Day presentation.

The American Legion Auxiliary Unit 130 assisted the AL Post and Sons of American Legion to place flags and pass out poppies. DJ Capps, Kim-Kay McCarty-Martin, Mike Mehegan, Dave Capps, & Kim Kimmerle. Mike Mehegan & Dave Capps Herb Phinney on bugle performing Taps.

American Legion Auxiliary Unit 130 assisted Post 130 and Sons of the American Legion with Memorial Day activities at Fort Shaw on Monday, May 25th. Memorial Day Ceremony May 25, 2026 Fort Shaw DJ Capps, Kim-Kay McCarty Martin, Kim Kimmerle, Mike Mehegan & Dave Capps Mike Mehegan & Dave Capps Kim Kimmerle, Kim-Kay McCarty-Martin & DJ Capps Graveside crowd with ALA Members Rochelle Kimmerle, Peety Santopierro, Betty Mehegan & Patty Capps (taking picture). Herb & Nedra Phinney

American Legion Auxiliary Unit 130 conducted Poppy Day activities on May 30th at the Sam's Club in Great Falls. Volunteers from the unit and post were there from 9am to 5pm. More than 360 poppies were distributed and received more than $1400 in donations. Dog Cujo, Patty Capps, Betty & Mike Mehegan, Rochelle & Kim Kimmerle, Kim-Kay McCarty-Martin, Dave Capps, & Mark Adler We handed out 363 Poppies and collected $1,404 in donations

Below is an article written about Mandy Steiger, senior from Bridger High School, who attended American Legion Auxiliary Girls State 2025. Great recognition for this program. Bridger student recounts time at ALA Girls State Alastair Baker News Editor May 7, 2026 Bridger High School senior Mandy Steiger called her experience at last summer’s ALA Girls State in Helena, “one of the best weeks of my life.” “I’m not even joking about that,” she laughed. The venture seems tai

During Fall Conference, a motion was made and approved to donate $12,000 a piece to Grace Home and Grace Haven. In November 2025, Patty Capps presented Deb Kottel with two checks for both veterans' homes. Grace Home will remodel their bathroom and Grace Haven is putting in a second bathroom/shower for upstairs. Thanks everyone for their support.

May/June 2026 The month of May Day, Mother’s Day, and Memorial Day! We have reports due to all department program chairmen. You need to toot your horns on all you do. We are a vital part of our communities. Impact Reports are due to Community Service Chairman, Tricia McKinney at ala.triciamc@yahoo.com Please send your Unit and Department officer rosters into the Department Secretary, she sent out the form in an email. The updated rosters need to be ready for the Departme