Our role, as always, this year is to provide support for our Veterans and their family members and friends. We are there to provide guidance and counselling as needed and to be a point of contact with our Brothers, Sisters and Comrades in times of illness, death or other times of stress. We are also there to perform the duties required by our office, our Rituals or our President such as:

While carrying out our duties, we need to remember a few things. Firstly, there are things that will be shared with us on a confidential basis and we need to make sure we maintain that confidentiality. In some cases, the level of confidentiality needed may not be clear so, if in doubt, ask! Secondly, we need to remember that members come from many different beliefs/faiths and so we should endeavor to make our prayers and guidance non-denominational.

Finally, I am planning to extract information for the year-end memorial book directly from MALTA (system willing!). I will send the lists to District Chaplains to validate towards the end of the year.

Therefore, please make sure to update MALTA for any deceased members so that they are recognized and remembered as they deserve. You should continue to provide me with any notifications of death or illness that you wish to be communicated.

I look forward to serving as your Department Chaplain for 2024-2025. If there is anything I can do to assist you, please let me know!

 

Helen is a member of VFW Auxiliary 1525 in California District 10.