Family

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Prescott Woman Recognized as Legion Auxiliary Member of the Year for Arizona

Lisa Thaler Honored for Outstanding Service and Dedication

The members and family chapters of Ernest A. Love Post 6 in Prescott proudly recognize Lisa Thaler for being selected as the 2025 Auxiliary Member of the Year in Arizona. Lisa’s unwavering commitment and selfless dedication to serving veterans and her community truly set her apart. Through her generous gift of time and attention, she has made a lasting impact, demonstrating what it means to lead with compassion and service.

Lisa hails from Indiana and moved quite a bit between New York, Ohio, and Kentucky before settling in Prescott, AZ.  Lisa studied Mathematics in college and in the late 1980s taught math to 7th-12th graders at Eastern High School, she also served as an ESL tutor and then worked in banking.

She joined Auxiliary Unit 6 in Prescott in 2022 and is a very active volunteer for veterans in Prescott and can often be seen playing cards, doing crafts, or working at the annual Stand Down at US Vets.  

Lisa is a curious person and a good listener and continually asks this important question: “What else can I do to help?”

She has always been eager to help her family and friends since she was young, and Lisa continues this dedication today by actively supporting her family at the Ernest A. Love American Legion Post 6 and aiding veterans within her community. In the past year, she provided service to 36 veterans and volunteered 209 hours.  

As the Unit Member of the Year for Arizona, Lisa was honored to attend the National Auxiliary convention in Tampa, Florida in August.

Lisa appreciates the pillars of the American Legion Auxiliary, which include patriotism, service to others, and reverence of faith, and she lives these values every day to provide aid and comfort to many. Her generous and joyful nature, combined with a lively spirit of optimism, inspires those around her and uplifts the entire community.

When not volunteering, Lisa and her husband Eric Thaler, who is a member of the Sons of the American Legion at Post 6, enjoys bike riding and hiking. 

Prescott and the American Legion are lucky to have such positive and hard-working members in our community.

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What is the American Legion Serving?

Your local American Legion Post serves numerous things- many of which are not well known, understood, or appreciated. Beyond the stereotypical cheap drinks, the Legion actively serves people, young and old, in communities across the country.

My personal experience at the Ernest A. Love American Legion Post 6 in Prescott, AZ, has opened my eyes and warmed my heart- showing me that The Legion is more than a bar, more than a building. 

Post 6 Commander, Sam McPherson, cooking eggs for Sunday breakfast

What are they serving at my post? Thousands of home-cooked meals of soup, sandwiches, tacos, eggs, potatoes, bacon, and pancakes per year. Grilled burgers to warm up the crowd for Queen of Hearts on Thursdays. Sunday breakfast is served with a healthy side of smiles and laughter.

Post, Auxiliary, and Sons of the American Legion Members keeping spirits high in the kitchen

The local American Legion post is a unique and warm place where veterans and their families can come to relax and share stories. It is a place to sing and dance-  a place that combats loneliness. A place that serves up cheer, good will and support.

What does it mean to serve? Well, there are over 12 definitions of the verb Serve.

Here are three main meanings:

  1. As in to attend to. To help a person to food or drink. To work for or wait on.
  2. As in to act. To be of use. Hold an office. Discharge or perform a duty. Respect and honor.
  3. As in to provide services that benefit or help others. To assist or answer the needs of.  The American Legion Service Officer is a prime example of this role.

I have witnessed Legion members and officers acting in all three of the above listed definitions of Serve.

Like my father (a WWII veteran), my mother (a post Auxiliary member), my husband (Post Photographer), my brother (a Son of the American Legion) and cousins (Vietnam veterans), it is my honor to serve.  It is all about Veterans Helping Veterans.

So what are we serving at the American Legion?

  • We are serving aid to the homeless, the lonely, the sick, and the injured.
  • We are serving connection and support to veterans through Buddy Checks.
  • We are serving as a home and welcoming “3rd place” that people can go to for  comfort and belonging.
  • We are serving smiles, hugs, and laughter.
  • We are serving camaraderie, meaning, and purpose.
  • We are serving history, honor, and remembrance.
  • We are serving traditions, respect for the flag, and Americanism.
  • We are an extended family who looks after each other. Supports and assists when the chips are down.
  • The Legion is light- not heavy (like in the 1969 song  “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother”), lifting up our veteran brothers and sisters. Lifting the burden of loneliness, trauma and grief. Giving a warm and comforting hand when it’s needed most. 

This is what the American Legion is serving!

Post 6 Officer and ALR Member, Rusty Snyder, serving members at annual Picnic in Prescott, AZ

The American Legion had strong and active family units and chapters who extend and expand the service of the post members. The Sons of the American Legion (S.A.L), the Auxiliary, and the American Legion Riders (ALR) all play an important role in the service to the veterans, their families and the community.  They also make awesome bacon guacamole burgers and Denver omelettes!

The Legion is more than a bar. It is more than a building. 

The American Legion Post in the heart and soul of the local community serving veterans and their families.  

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Memories of Mom

For those whose mothers are no longer living on this earth, do you ever wonder what she would think about our world today? I often think about how my mom would react to my decisions and current situation. What advice would our mothers give us if they were sitting next to us right now?

It’s been almost 24 years since my sweet Mom passed away from lung cancer and Mother’s Day is always one of the saddest days of the year for me.

The best thing I can do is honor my Mom’s memory by doing and saying things that I know she would appreciate and be proud of. Striving to emulate her values with my actions.

Virginia Mary was born during the Great Depression and had a strong, spunky spirit and an infectious smile. She was extremely generous with her time and limited money and always rooted for and lent a helping hand to the underdog. Virginia was kind, jovial and optimistic. Her friends called her Ginny and I called her Mom.

One of my Mom’s favorite sayings was “Live, Love, Laugh” and that was how she lived her life. I never heard her complain or speak poorly of others, She was stoic when she was sick and cared more about taking care of the needs of others than she did for herself.

My Mom was hearing impaired since childhood and wore hearing aids which I don’t think helped her much. She was good at reading lips, body language, and expressions. She loved to read mystery books and write letters to her family. I am so happy to have a stack of letters she wrote to me during the early 1990s when I was in the Army and deployed in Saudi Arabia. This was the best way to communicate with her and they mean the world to me now.

Mom was not one to give unsolicited advice but if you asked she would give her simple and wise opinion. She didn’t use big words but she had large and important ideas, lessons, and experiences to share.

I’d like to imagine that if my Mom were sitting next to me right now, she would encourage me to lighten up and enjoy the small, good things that life has to offer. She would remind me to relax and slow down and look before I leaped. She would smile and tell me to be kind to others and volunteer to help the needy and underprivileged. Virginia Mary was an amazing and strong woman who inspired me to serve my country, my family, and my community. She is one of the main reasons why I became so active and engaged with the American Legion (all 4 of her brothers served in the U.S. military in WWII). The way she lived and loved and laughed in the face of adversity were key examples for me and helped shape who I am today.

My yoga instructor shared this quote below after class yesterday and it made be think of my Mom.

“If you want light to come into your life then you need to stand where it’s shining.” – Guy Finley

Happy Mother’s Day in heaven Mom!

Your values live on in the actions of your children, your friends and everyone who had the honor of knowing you.

Thanks for the great advice today.

My Mom and I at Ft Gordon, GA in 1989.

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Stand Tall, Stand Bright-  Be the Light

As the coolness of winter settles in, many holiday traditions seek to counter the shorter days and the growing darkness with symbols of light. Whether it’s with candles, fireworks, or brightly colored LEDs, our winter religious ceremonies are filled with joyous expressions to warm the soul.   Tall, strong structures are erected to display the light for all to see.  Evergreen trees and menorahs will stand bright and serve as radiant beacons and positive gathering places for communities, families, and friends to come together in a spirit of peace and good will.

Photo by cottonbro studio on Pexels.com

This tall, bright luminosity can help push out the encroaching darkness of our modern, fractured world. As our nation and local communities are less cohesive and less united under a common purpose or goal, the need for warm bonds and true, meaningful connection is more important than ever.

Menorah setup in Phoenix plaza. Photo by Steve Smull

As the world continues to face terrorism and wars, we need to stand tall and be the light.   As some members of our community face increasing levels of discrimination based on their religion or skin color, we need to stand tall and be the light against these dark forces.

Another challenge many people face during the holiday season is loneliness and isolation, which effects young and old, rich and poor.  To combat this epidemic, I encourage you to look for ways to reach out to someone with a warm and heart-felt greeting.  Take the extra effort to connect and make a positive difference in someone’s life.

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

As we look to this season of giving and light, I am reminded that the greatest gift is time.   Giving someone your time and attention is a priceless present that will brighten their day.  If you can, reach out and touch someone with a personal visit, card, or phone call.  Check in to see how they are doing and let them know you are thinking about them.  This is how we can strengthen the social fabric of our communities.

Now, more than ever, we need to share our light with others.  

May your candles burn bright.

May this holiday season fill your heart with love, your home with joy, and your life with laughter.

Happy Hanukkah

&

Merry Christmas

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This Is Me: Family and Foundation

I watched the award-winning speech twice, first with my right brain and then with my left.

The first time I viewed the 2022 World Champion of Public Speaking, Cyril Junior Dim, I sat back and enjoyed the story, the humor and the emotional drama. The impactful message resonated with me and inspired to write this article.  My creative mind was activated.

During my second observation of the speech entitled “Ndini”, I used my left brain to analyze the structure, word usage, and delivery techniques. Click here to view the speech.

It is with both sides of my brain (with help from my corpus callosum) that I write this article.

The foundational phrase of the winning Toastmasters speech by Mr. Dim was “This is me” which translates to Ndini in the Bantu language Shona.   The repetition of this powerful message struck a chord in me and caused me to reflect on my own family and identity. 

Cyril Dim wove a powerful story around self-acceptance, family and tradition as he reflected on his middle name which came from this father’s language.  He boldly asked the audience, “Have you ever hated or been ashamed about some aspect of yourself?”  I wasn’t proud of my answer to that question but knew that this was an important topic and worthy of further contemplation.

I suppose that before I can proclaim “This is me!”, I need to ask “Who am I?”.

More than a result of the human reproductive process of my mother and father, I am a Heinz 57 blend of genes and traits from my ancestors from numerous countries across Europe (UK, France, Germany and Italy).  I am also a US citizen who represents the values and ethics of my family and friends.  My parents and home environment growing up surely shaped me and made me into the woman I am today.

I love and respect my parents and wish they hadn’t left the earth so soon. 

My parents pinning on my 2nd Lieutenant bars after the Army Commissioning

Who I am is strong and solid thanks to the love, support and encourage of my parents, my siblings and extended family of aunts, uncles and cousins.

Me and my siblings

My foundation is a resilient and durable patchwork quilt of genetics, experiences, traditions, and values.

I lived at home with my parents until I graduated from college and received a US Army commission.   In retrospect, I should have spent more time with my parents and thanked them more for all that they sacrificed for me but, like most adolescents

 I didn’t appreciate what I had.  During my teenaged years, I wasn’t as proud of my Mom as I should have been and was often embarrassed by her hearing impairment and her simple words. It pains me to think of how badly I treated her when she couldn’t understand me.  My impatience and rudeness were horrible, and I am embarrassed by my immature and selfish behavior.  It wasn’t until I moved out on my own and was married that I fully appreciated who my parents were.

Like Cyril Dim, I came to embrace and be proud of my family name and my parents’ values.  I know that they are responsible for my strong foundation, my work ethic, and my patriotic spirit.

The words below were read to me recently by my Yoga Therapy coach, Nancy Martch, and truly hit the mark on idea of Ndini- This is Me.   

I am steady, resilient, direct and complete.  

“Foundation Stones”

by Danna Faulds

Here is my past—

what I’ve been proud of,

and what I’ve pushed away.

Today I see how each piece

was needed, not a single

step wasted on the way.

Like a stone wall,

Every rock resting

On what came before—

No stone can be

Suspended in mid-air.

Foundation laid by every

act and omission,

each decision, even

those the mind would

label “big mistake.”

The things I thought

were sins, these are as

necessary as successes,

each one resting on the

surface of the last, stone

upon stone, the fit

particular, complete,

the rough, uneven

face of these rocks

makes surprising,

satisfying patterns

in the sunlight.

Photo by eberhard grossgasteiger on Pexels.com