Nov/Dec 2000

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=110 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="03df0f21egerdp.jpg"> <div> <B><IMG SRC="03e203c0.jpg" border=0 width="32" height="60" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B><FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#66334C" FACE="Arial" ><B>The DAVA Lighthouse</B></FONT><B>      |     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The DAVA Lighthouse"><U><B>home</B></U></A></div> <div> back to<B>  </B><A HREF="id3.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="DAV Monthly Magazine Newsletters"><U><B>DAV Monthly Magazine Newsletters</B></U></A></div> <div> <B> <!-onMouseover Link CSS Script-© Dynamic Drive (www.dynamicdrive.com). For full source code, installation instructions, 100's more DHTML scripts, and Terms Of Use, visit dynamicdrive.com--><style></style>  </B></div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=210 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="03cf2f02egerdp.jpg"> <div> <B> <!-onMouseover Link CSS Script-© Dynamic Drive (www.dynamicdrive.com). For full source code, installation instructions, 100's more DHTML scripts, and Terms Of Use, visit dynamicdrive.com--><style></style>  </B></div> <div> <B>Nov/Dec 2000</B></div> <div> <A HREF="id79.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Jan/Feb 2001"><U>Jan/Feb 2001</U></A></div> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=370 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="03ff0f03.jpg"> <div> <B> <!-onMouseover Link CSS Script-© Dynamic Drive (www.dynamicdrive.com). For full source code, installation instructions, 100's more DHTML scripts, and Terms Of Use, visit dynamicdrive.com--><style></style>  </B></div> <div> <B>Nov/Dec 2000</B></div> <div> <B>Let Your Auxiliary Light Shine</B></div> <div> Carol A. Gray, DAV Auxiliary National Commander</div> <bR> <div> As I begin my year as your newly elected Auxiliary National Commander, it is such an honor to know you have entrusted to me the confidence to serve as your National Commander. I will do my best to fulfill your expectations.</div> <div> I am often asked why I do what I do as an Auxiliary member. I explain it by telling about my experiences in this wonderful organization.</div> <div> I came to the Auxiliary as a junior member and grew up surrounded by the love and service that are hallmarks of Auxiliary members. I recall my Unit driving the 100 miles to our nearest VA medical center to share an afternoon with patients unable to leave their ward. It was our way of bringing a little of the outside world to the men and women who made our way of life possible.</div> <div> We would share slide shows of scenery, sunsets, and activities with the hospitalized veterans, then have a sing-along before serving refreshments. My mother played the piano and everyone joined in singing. We always finished with "God, Bless America," and one of the patients would urge everyone to stand. As the veterans rose, they would assist their fellow veterans who could not stand on their own. I experienced that scene more than 30 years ago, but I can picture those disabled veterans standing and hear them singing clearly still today. </div> <div> Remembering those feelings of love, service, and joy are among some of the reasons why I selected "Let Your Auxiliary Light Shine" as the theme for my term as your Auxiliary National Commander and a lighthouse to represent the light. </div> <div> The lighthouse is a source of inspiration and guidance to those at sea to view on their return home. It is also a reminder of courage and sacrifice the lighthouse keeper gives for the welfare of others. </div> <div> The miniature lighthouse I use as my symbol was a gift from a dear friend. It is anchored to a solid foundation to remain strong in all weather, under all conditions. It is not unlike the solid foundation upon which our Auxiliary is anchored a foundation of wise leadership and strong convictions of generations of women just like you and me.</div> <div> Know, too, that our Auxiliary is needed now more than ever, and it will require all of us working together to carry on the traditions of the past while lighting the path to the future. Each and every Auxiliary member is a lighthouse in her own right.</div> <div> As we journey through this year together, I call on each of you to "Let Your Auxiliary Light Shine." Let your Auxiliary light shine for more service; let it shine too for a larger and stronger membership; let it shine for enhanced legislative efforts; and let it shine as never before to continue building better lives for America's disabled veterans and their families. </div> <div> Let your Auxiliary light shine, and together, we will light the world.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>