Williamson American Legion honors longtime members
Apr. 28—With American Legion Auxiliary national President Kathy Daudistel in attendance, Williamson American Legion recognized its long serving members during a reception Tuesday at the legion hall in rural Adams County.
Seventy-year members of the Legion included John Blazek, Orville Lines, and auxiliary members Annette Adamson, Doris Lines and Wanda Victor. Robert Vicker is a 71-year member but was not in attendance. Ron Brown is a 50-year member.
Auxiliary members are male and female spouses, grandmothers, mothers, sisters and direct and adopted female descendants of members of The American Legion. The legion was chartered by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization focusing on service to veterans, servicemembers and communities.
Like what auxiliary members do, Daudistel said this year's theme for the national organization is caregiving. She explained what motivated her to have that ideal at a National Veterans Creative Arts Festival. She said a portion of the festival was to show support for caregivers.
"There was a woman in front row, they were there with their loved ones. She kept getting more agitated," Daudistel said. "She stood up and said, 'I've been a caregiver for my husband for over 32 years. I didn't look at like that.'"
Daudistel said the woman said she then felt relief as there were other people around her doing the same thing.
After that event, Daudistel said the caregiver became more personal as her own parents were in-and-out of hospitals.
"When mom went into the hospital, mom was caregiving for dad," she said.
Daudistel and her sister were driving their father to the hospital. They were also treating him for his diabetes and daily needs.
The family traditionally meets for dinner on Fridays and more was realized.
"My sister and I had no idea what mom was doing for dad until this event happened," she said.
Even though her father has since passed, Daudistel said her mother still does not consider herself a caregiver, "because we do what we do for family. That is what the American Legion family does because we love each other."
Daudistel became even more aware of caregivers after attending Legion meetings and meeting others who were caregivers.
"If we treat everybody the way we feel we want to be treated," she said.
She offered advice to the audience.
"Recogonize there are caregivers among us who don't identify. Let them know they are not alone. Mom had her health failing while taking care dad. There are hidden heroes. There are many many caregivers. Just thank them. Recognize they are there."
Daudistel learned of American Legion 26 years ago during recreational softball. A team of legion members were preparing to respond to a request from an orphanage in need to repair bicycles for children.
"They went one step further and bought 26 brand new bikes and delivered them the next day," she explained. "I need to be a member."
She was eligible as her father served in Korea.
She said she never considered being national president of auxiliary which she was named American during the organization's 100th National Convention held Aug. 27-Sept. 2 in Phoenix, Arizona.
"I enjoy dong the behind the scenes work to help our veterans. Our family has a lot of veterans. It's been a real pleasure and honor," she said.
Daudistel's father, William Kaelin Jr., was a United States Army veteran who served during the Korean War era. An ALA member for 25 years, Daudistel has held numerous leadership positions at the unit, district, department, and national levels, including national vice president; national committee chair: veterans affairs and rehabilitation, children and youth, poppy, national security, Americanism, membership, and leadership; national committee vice chair: junior activities; National Executive Committee and alternate NEC.
Daudistel retired from a Fortune 500 company after more than 30 years where she worked in the information technology department. She earned her bachelor's degree in information technology from Northern Kentucky University. Daudistel has two daughters, four grandchildren, and two sons-in-law.
