NALPA members are 'spreading the word'

Jane McKnight, a member of Auxiliary Unit 233 in Oak Grove, Ky., currently serves as NALPA’s Area 2 vice president and Facebook administrator. She has been a member of NALPA for 15 years, and she’s currently serving a second term as president of the Kentucky American Legion Press Association.

McKnight is a 23-year Auxiliary member, however, her affiliation to the organization dates back even further to the 1970s in the small town of Phillips, Wis., where she participated in poppy fundraisers at the local American Legion post that her late father, a World War II veteran, belonged to.

Dave Wallace: What positions have you held within your department, district and post?

McKnight: I was on The American Legion Auxiliary National Executive Committee (NEC) from 2013-2014, and I served as Department of Kentucky’s Auxiliary president from 2012-2013. During the upward adventure through the chairs to become department president, I served as an assistant sergeant-at-arms, public relations chairman, historian, chaplain, second vice president, Americanism chairman, first vice president and legislative chairman. I also served as the alternate NEC/past presidents parley chairman, leadership and was a member of the department membership team.

Currently, at the department level, I am the Pennyroyal Veterans Center (in Hopkinsville, Ky.) liaison and the Americanism chairman for our southern division. On the district level, I am currently the vice president and parliamentarian, and I have served as secretary and treasurer.

At the unit level, I have served every office except chaplain. I have worked every program of the Auxiliary, and I have served many years at the unit level as a secretary, treasurer and chairman for membership, Americanism, Constitution and Bylaws, education, Girls State, public relations, poppy and Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation committees.

Wallace: What do you like most about being part of NALPA?

McKnight: I’m excited about the direction it is going. Prime example would be the increase in membership we enrolled at the 2016 (American Legion) National Convention while (having a booth) in the exhibit hall. I was amazed that many of our American Legion Family members did not know who we were.

Also, I love being a part of the Facebook team; our page has been getting more members almost on a daily basis. Our members are certainly spreading the word of what we do and what their posts and units are doing in their respective communities.

Wallace: What advice do you have for our NALPA membership?

McKnight: Everything your post, unit or squadron does in the building or in the community should be newsworthy. Toot your own horn to spread awareness of what The American Legion Family is and what we represent. If there isn’t an American Legion, NALPA would not exist.

Wallace: What is your favorite part about being a Legion Family member?

McKnight: The camaraderie, love of country and respect for our veterans that we all share in our hearts.

Wallace: What is your favorite memory with The American Legion?

McKnight: From 1998-2002, I was the canteen manager for Fort Campbell Post 233. I organized and catered several military events during that time. My favorite event was a dinner to honor (retired U.S. Army Lt. Col.) Alfred Rascon, who received the Medal of Honor in 2000. Mr. Rascon was the most humble gentleman. The following morning I cooked breakfast for him and a group of his buddies, and I was invited to eat with them. The menu included SOS.