Chuck and DeAnna Tuttle attended the American Legion Mid Year Conference held in Columbus, Jan. 21 through 23. The Mid Year Conference is educational in nature and updates members on issues and reports on the progress of various legion family programs, but also gives opportunities for networking and connecting with new friends.

The finals of the State High School Oratorical Contest are also held during the conference. The contest includes an 8 to 10 minute prepared oration on some phase of the U.S. Constitution and a 3 to 5 minute discourse on an assigned article or amendment to the constitution for which they have only five minutes to prepare. Scholarships are awarded to the top three contestants. The first place contestant also advances to the national competition. The young woman from Omaha who placed first this year spoke of Rights and Responsibilities under the Constitution in her prepared presentation. She gave pertinent thoughts on Section 3 of Amendment XIV during the assigned discourse.

Joint sessions focused on on-going efforts of the Children and Youth program and the Veteran Activity and Rehabilitation programs. Speakers focused on suicide prevention methods and the importance of buddy checks. Promoting membership and participation remains an ongoing effort in order to promote these and other projects.

Auxiliary members were treated to a report from Elle Thede, honorary junior president, on her project of providing large print and audio books to veterans residing in long term care facilities or with an in-home caregiver. Raffle proceeds and donations gave a welcome boost to Elle's project. We were also pleased to learn plans are for Girls State to be in person this year.

DeAnna Tuttle, Nelson auxiliary president, was the winner of a door prize that included a tee-shirt, mug, insignias and koozies bearing the logo of the U.S. Army. These will be presented to army veterans who are present at the Feb. 10 meeting of Post 187 in Nelson.