PHOTO PROVIDED
Local members of the American Legion Auxiliary are pictured during the spring conference in Harrisburg.

HARRISBURG — The Department of Pennsylvania’s American Legion Auxiliary’s Spring Conference was held at Red Lion Hotel in Harrisburg.

American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) members from throughout Pennsylvania were in attendance.

The Junior Members of Pennsylvania’s ALA, along with their chairman, Virginia Savage, held their meetings and projects, at the same time as the ALA Spring Conference. They also had their election of officers who were installed by Deb Tierman, ALA National Eastern Division Vice President of our National American Legion Auxiliary.

Special guest, Deb Tierman, ALA National Eastern Division Vice President from Vermont, brought greetings and shared information from the National American Legion Auxiliary, with Department of Pennsylvania ALA members.

Another special guest was John J. Lucas, MSW, LISW-S, Suicide Prevention Coordinator, from Lebanon VA Medical Center. He informed members of key points of the S.A.V.E. (S. signs that indicate a veteran might be thinking of suicide; A. ask the most important question of all “Are you thinking of killing yourself?” V. validate the veteran’s experience E. encourage treatment and expedite getting help) program and gave information on how to get the information to our Posts and Units.

A dinner was also held to honor Department of Pennsylvania President, Ruth Zellers, for everything she is and has done for Veterans, troops, their families and our communities. Members of the American Legion Auxiliary, throughout the world, are a community of volunteers serving veterans, military, their families, children and youth and communities.

American Legion Auxiliary members from Centre, Lycoming and Clinton counties will be having their next council meeting on June 12 at 10:30 a.m., hosted by ALA Unit #623 at Bitner-Bechdel American Legion. Members are urged to contact their local ALA Unit to make reservations to attend.