February Greetings,

It is hard to believewe are already in the second week of February! Our Mid-Winter

Conference in January was very successful. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to District 3 for their outstanding work at the registration table and for the beautifultable arrangements at our Scholarships Banquet.

This year, I introduced a few new ideas in hopes of making our sessions lighter, more engaging,and interactive. I truly appreciated our Program Chairmenfor thinking outsidethe box and presenting information that was educational, interactive, and thoughtfully challenging.

I hope you found the "Sitting Around the Campfire”session both informative and refreshing. My goal was to encouragemembers to use the PodiumBook to search for answers and engage in meaningful discussions while working through challenging

questions. For this reason,I asked our Chief of Staff, Karen Flynn, to organize this session,and she did an excellent job.

A specialthank you to our "Camp Counselors”: TracieTomsen, Adrienne Halvorsen, and Rebecca Pellechi.

We are pleasedto announce that National President Lois Callahan will visit Washington on March 25. We are finalizing the agenda and will share it as soon as it is completed. Hotel

accommodations are available for March 25–27 at the Ruby River Hotel, locatedat 700 North DivisionStreet, Spokane, WA. To reservea room, please call 509-289-2883 and mention the VFW.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contactKaren Flynn, CindyBurkey, or me.

President’s Message #2

 

Fall Greetings to All,

 

I hope this message finds you well and enjoying the beauty of the fall season. It’s been a busy few 

months, and I want to sincerely thank each of you for all that you do. Our Schools of Instruction 

have wrapped up, and our Auxiliaries are actively engaged in supporting our national programs—thank you for your dedication and teamwork.

Over the past several weeks, I’ve had productive Zoom meetings with our Department Line Officers, 

District Presidents, and Department Chairmen. Commander Drew James and I have been in regular 

communication, working closely together to navigate several new changes regarding the Mid-Winter 

Conference and Banquet. As with any transition, there are a few challenges to overcome, and I truly 

appreciate your patience and understanding as we work through them. If you have any questions or 

concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Joe Wright, Cindy Burkey, Drew James, or myself.

Please keep several of our members and their families in your thoughts and prayers:

•  Barbara Heston-Moore, who recently had hip replacement surgery.

  18422 126th Pl SE, Renton, WA 98058

•  Al Lamoureux, husband of Ruth Lamoureux, who underwent open-heart surgery.

  12522 NE Douglas Dr., Kingston, WA 98346

•  Bob Watkins, Past District 9 Commander and Department Honor Guard member, passed away November 1st. Please keep his wife, Lynne Larson, in your prayers.

  20619 N. Thor Rd., Colbert, WA 99005

As we move into the holiday season, I know everyone is busy with preparations and family 

gatherings. Let us also remember our military families and those in our communities impacted by the 

government shutdown—your kindness and compassion can make a real difference.

While several of us were in Boise Idaho for the Western Conference meeting our Department 

Secretary/Treasurer, Cindy Burkey took care of your concerns. Thank you from all of us for being so 

dedicated to our Department. Our own Rebecca Pellechi was installed as Western Conference

President for the coming year—please join me in wishing her every success!

As we enter this season of gratitude and giving, I hope you find joy, peace, and togetherness with 

your loved ones. Let’s continue to be a light in our communities and support those who may be 

struggling.

Wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving, a Merry Christmas, and a very Happy New Year!

With love and respect,

Robyn Sterrett

Department President

509-714-0475

robynsterrett@gmail.com

KEEP THE HOME FIRES BURNING

2025-2026

Greetings, my fellow VFW Auxiliary members of Washington State! I am excited to kick-off the ensuing year with you! The National Convention is later than normal this year, August 9-14. Unfortunately, that means a later School of Instruction for us here in Washington. It will be held September 6^th in Yakima, and more details should be out shortly.

I wanted to touch base and give you some information. Karen Flynn is our Chief of Staff and our Chairmanship Coordinator. Cindy Burkey is our Secretary/Treasurer, and our guiding force. Cindy works daily to keep our Department in good running order, and she is only a phone call away.

I would like to welcome Margie Lindberg to the Department Officers' Line. Margie was elected and installed as our Department Guard for the ensuing year. Margie is a great asset to our team and a valued member of this Department.

Auxiliary President and Treasurers, your BONDS ARE NOW DUE!!!! If you have questions, please give Cindy a call.

Our incoming National President's (Lois Callahan) theme is, "Be The Lighthouse In Someone's Storm." Lois will visit Washington March 25-27, 2026, here in the Deer Park­ Spokane area.

"Keep the Home Fires Burning", Auxiliaries you are kindling. Most importantly, you are the first to encounter a potential new member. Membership is our lively hood to keep our organization alive and thriving so we can complete our mission of helping our Veterans, Active Military and their Families.

Districts and Department, we are the builders. We help the Auxiliary's keep their kindling alive. We communicate, mentor, encourage, and offer our help when needed. It's "TEAMWORK" and there are no "l's" in that word! We work together helping each other, supporting each other, and building each other up as a TEAM.

Auxiliary Presidents, please communicate with your auxiliary members. Reach out to those who don't attend meetings. Offer them transportation if they need it. Touch base with your life members and encourage them to participate in Auxiliary events.

District Presidents you are the next chain of command. Check on each of your Auxiliaries and maintain an open line of communication with each of them.