Each October, the Life Members of the National Home come together for the Annual Life Member Meeting. During this meeting, the Board of Trustees installs its new members, and we honor the trustees whose terms are ending. This year we had the pleasure of swearing in new District 10 Trustee Sylvia Sanchez and District 6 Trustee Armithea “Sissy” Borel and, as well as new Board President Thomas Tweet and Board Vice President Dave Ouellette. We also honored and thanked Former District 10 Trustee, Al Cantu, and District 6 Trustee, Jim Mueller, for their years of dedication to the National Home. Virginia Carman also wrapped up her term as board president. (But don’t worry, she will still be a trustee for another year!) The Annual Meeting is a time for business to be conducted but also for Executive Director Patrice Green to review the events of the prior year and discuss the future of the National Home with our Life Members. In attendance this year was a small group of girls from a Youth Group (formerly Junior Girls) Their chaperone expressed the importance of teaching these girls to respect and honor our nation’s veterans and expressed how excited they were to have the opportunity to visit the VFW National Home for Children. After business is conducted, we shift gears to the annual Fall Festival. That’s when the fun begins! Everyone looks forward to this annual event, hosted by the VFW Departments of Wisconsin and Missouri. Festivalgoers young and old don their spookiest, funniest and cutest costumes and gather to eat pizza and play games! Highlights include a pumpkin decorating contest and costume contests for all age groups. For more photos visit our flickr albums: Annual Meeting and Fall Festival.