It’s quite a sight to walk the halls of our nation’s Capitol Building and spot American Legion caps, red and blue blazers, and American Legion Auxiliary brochures in hand, ready to leave behind on a legislator’s desk. 

The annual Washington Conference includes several informative gatherings of Legion Family members — commission meetings, Commander’s Call, Commander’s Rally, and meetings with legislators on Capitol Hill. 

For this year’s event, ALA National President Trish Ward invited the legislative chairs from each of the Auxiliary’s 52 departments (states) to attend, along with a handful of national officers, chairs, and Past National Presidents. 

Some of our members have been to this important event before, and for others, it’s their first time getting to soak in the seriousness of advocating for our veterans as we work alongside The American Legion to discuss crucial, pro-veteran bills that we would like to have support from legislators.

ALA members had the opportunity to meet other members of The American Legion Family, learning as much as they could in those couple of days, taking the information back to their respective departments to help foster positive change for our nation’s veterans, military, and their families. 

A few ALA members shared their experience with ALA National Headquarters. 

Jenell Hulse, Kansas

“I think whenever we have the opportunity to meet with legislators, we need to take advantage.”

Hulse was a first-time participant at this event, excited when she found out she would be attending.

“I was in Washington, D.C. in September to meet with legislators about different banking issues,” she said. “I think I got all of my jitters out then because this felt like smooth sailing.” 

During the Washington Conference, all those invited attended various Legion commission meetings: Legislative, National Security, Veterans Employment & Education, and Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation.

This year, the Legislative Commission was held offsite at the Cannon House Building.

“I was pretty well-versed, as I had read a lot of the legislative priorities that the Legion had pushed out beforehand, but it definitely made me think more about the lack of community care we have for our veterans who live in rural communities,” Hulse said. 

Going to the Hill is often a favorite of members during this event. Hulse shared what her legislative appointments were like:

• Rep. Ron Estes and staff: “Awesome to hear that he is a member of the Legion Family.” 

• Rep. Derek Schmidt staff: “Met with a young man on the second day of his career there.”

• Rep. Tracey Mann: “He does an incredible job of connecting with people. He is very engaged in conversation and makes you feel like you’re the only appointment of the day. Mann’s team escorted attendees to the Senate office building via the underground hallways and subway.” 

• Sen. Jerry Moran staff: “He is a true advocate for veterans. He is a lawmaker we are all very proud of.”

For Hulse, it meant a lot to be around other ALA members nationwide in our capital for this event. 

“I have seen a lot of things in this world, and nothing is ever as chilling as being in a room full of people as they recite the Pledge of Allegiance,” she recalled. “What incredibly powering minutes those were. Hearing and being a part of that always makes me so proud to be an American.”

Getting the opportunity to attend the Washington Conference, Hulse said it’s crucial for the ALA to have a presence. 

“I think whenever we have the opportunity to meet with legislators, we need to take advantage,” she said. “It is so very important to advocate for what you believe in. We need to protect our veterans.”
 

Maggie Geiger, Wisconsin

“I had the rare opportunity to be part of the support system for the Legion, to help promote the legislative priorities by speaking from my heart and experiences as an ALA member.”

Like Hulse, this was also Geiger’s first time attending Washington Conference and representing her department. She was a bit shocked when she found out she would be going.

“I had to make sure my email was listed and it wasn’t a mistake,” she recalled. “It was an honor to represent my department and all the members who regularly sign in to the Grassroots Action Center and let their voices be heard. Truly a humbling moment to realize I was asked to attend.” 

Being part of the Legion’s Legislative Commission meeting was truly an honor for Geiger. 

“It was a historical meeting for the Legislative Commission attendees to meet at Capitol Hill in the Cannon Caucus Room,” she said. 

The meeting provided a deeper look at the Legion’s legislative priorities. 

“[We learned about the] importance of getting members involved at our state/department levels to make sure we are standing behind and promoting the Legion’s agenda,” she said. “Wisconsin won an award for the most contacts to our legislators. I can’t wait to share with our ALA members and thank them for their continued support of the legislative priorities.”

Going to Capitol Hill was a memorable experience, Geiger said. 

“Walking into the halls of Congress, with its history, the beauty of the building, and all the American flags lining the halls made me pause and reflect why I was here,” she said. “I had the opportunity to voice my concern and bring awareness for the men and women who have and are serving this beautiful country, and of the promises that were made to them.”

With fellow American Legion Family members, Geiger met with Rep. Scott Fitzgerald, Sen. Ron Johnson, and Sen. Tammy Baldwin. They discussed a few of the priorities during their meetings, including military quality of life, Be the One, protecting the Coast Guard, and ending veteran homelessness. At each meeting, Geiger brought up the ALA, what we do, and left behind ALA materials. Geiger added that it was also neat to learn that many of the staff members in these offices were ALA Girls State alumnae or Legion Boys State alumni. 

The ALA’s participation at Washington Conference matters — there is strength in numbers.  

“This was the ALA mission in action,” she said. “As a member, we are always being told the importance of reporting, and how our volunteer hours are combined with all departments and are reported to Congress. I had the rare opportunity to be part of the support system for the Legion, to help promote the legislative priorities by speaking from my heart and experiences as an ALA member.”

As the legislative chair for Wisconsin, Geiger said she can encourage members to reach out and assure them that their voices are being heard. 

“Continue sending emails, letters, or call your representatives to let them know to support the Legion’s legislative priorities,” she said.

“Our mission is to support The American Legion, veterans, military servicemembers, and military families.”

“I was excited and a bit apprehensive as well,” Hunter said when she found out she would be going. “But mostly excited I would be doing something worthwhile to benefit veterans and military servicemembers.” 
 
Hunter was assigned to attend the Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation meeting. 
 
“I learned so much,” she recalled. “I learned many things about current data/statistics related to the Be the One initiative. I was surprised that the suicide rate has been relatively stable for the past several years. I learned about use of immersive virtual reality to assist veterans with PTSD. This was new to me and fascinating. I learned about ways the VA is trying to make access improved for veterans — collaboration with Uber/Lyft, vans to bring the VA to veteran locales rather than veterans traveling, tele-health appointments, online classes for the Columbia Protocol, and veteran burial/memorial benefits. Apparently, less than 50% [of veterans] are enrolled at the VA and even less actually engage. I was surprised by that.”
 
Discussing legislative priorities that are important to the Family was a highlight for Hunter attending the Washington Conference: 

• Sen. Mark Warner: “The Virginia American Legion Family delegation was made up of about 13-14 state and national leaders. Topics discussed: suicide prevention and Be the One mission, maintenance of military superiority and ensuring national security in the global environment, transitioning servicemembers and their need for easy access to local, state, and federal resources.”
• Rep. Don Beyer’s Legislative Assistant Grace Brightbill: “Discussed the same issues named above.”
• Rep. Jen Kiggans: “Discussed issues previously listed, as well as her 2025 American Legion Public Service Award. Her commitment to veterans and servicemembers by advocating for their health care, benefits, and policies that uphold promises made to those who have worn the uniform of our U.S. Armed Services has been exemplary. Her family is a military family. Virginia is very proud of her.”
 
The Washington Conference is an opportunity to learn the perspectives, new ideas, and programs of different departments, Hunter said. 
 
“We are American Legion Family members,” she said. “Our mission is to support The American Legion, veterans, military servicemembers, and military families. One of the ways we do this is through legislative advocacy.”