Sisters,

 It’s my honor to be your Department President this year. It’s a humbling experience and I hope to represent you as well as those who served before me.

 I’ve chosen “A Work of Heart” as my theme since I believe this is why we do the work we do. The rewards we receive far surpass monetary rewards in the good we do for our Veterans, our communities and the children of our great state.

 Our National organization presented us with challenges this year to increase our program participation and membership. I believe we can do it! I have faith in the Sisters of Illinois.

 If you are like me, not a day goes by without a thought of the sacrifices our veterans gave in order for us to have the opportunities we share today and in that spirit let me tell you about my special project this year "Honor Flight".
 

We call them the greatest generation but they were the last to have a monument and statistics show we are losing WWII veterans at a rate of approximately 1,200 per day. Many of them have never had nor never will have the opportunity to see that monument erected in their honor. Honor Flight Network is a non-profit organization created solely to honor America's veterans for their sacrifices. They transport our heroes to Washington, DC to visit and reflect at their memorials. Top priority is given to the senior veterans – World War II survivors, along with those other veterans who may be terminally ill.