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A Message Of Service And Advocacy

photo by Photo Provided Continuing her service through the American Legion Auxiliary, Pam Norton works to improve the lives of not only veterans, but the communities of his state and nation.

photo by Service photo Whether in or out of uniform, service and commitment keep Pam Norton and other veterans involved in very active and tangible ways.

Tuesday November 10, 2015

By Cookie Steponaitis

Pam Norton served her nation with two tours stateside and overseas between 1976 and 1983. While her time in uniform ended, her service has taken her across country and into the lives of many veterans and their families. "When my time in the military ended I had a young family and my focus was on raising my children and working to help support my family," shared Norton. "Once they were older I joined the American Legion Auxiliary, went to a meeting and that was the beginning." Norton, within a year of joining the local Unit at Post 14 advanced through the leadership levels to become the Auxiliary President at the American Legion Auxiliary at both the unit and state level and understands the complexity of issues America's veterans face.
    "While at the Post I connected with some of our older veterans," reflected Norton. "Some spoke a little of what they experienced and others spoke of none of what they had experienced. What struck me was some of them had a very real need for help, some medical and/or monetary and some just needed companionship and while there are services available for them, they wouldn't seek it out.  A common thread seemed to be that someone else needed it more than themselves, they didn't want to take a service and have someone else denied service before themselves.  It made me want to help them. As a veteran I don't want to see anyone who has served not receive the help they deserve."
    The mission of the American Legion Auxiliary for Norton is more than a set of lofty ideals. It is a call to action to assist not only veterans and their families but to promote patriotism, citizenship, peace and security. When talking with Norton and other members of the Auxiliary they are shy about focusing attention on their efforts and quickly deflect comments to the needs in the community, the veterans and their families. Norton explained that the Auxiliary is often behind the scenes getting the jobs done and remarked, "We work with the National Guard Family Support Group, Operation Military Kids and we support transitional housing for homeless veterans. We fund and send young ladies to the American Legion Auxiliary Green Mountain Girls State to learn how local and state government work. We give scholarships to local graduating seniors. We work with our local fuel company providing heating fuel to veterans, seniors, military families with children and community members. We provide lap blankets to our veterans in nursing homes. We help fund and work Christmas Gifts shops at the Bennington Veterans Home and the VA Hospital in White River. We send grocery coupons to military bases overseas, we work with Post 14 on the Memorial Day Parade and we advocate for our veterans with our legislature and senators."  
    When asked to share a message with the millions of Americans who have no association with the military and do not perhaps grasp all that Veterans Day is about, Norton took a while to put into words what for so many is more a matter of heart. She talked about honoring those who put their lives on hold to serve the country and going to places where you do not know anyone and understanding you may or may not survive." You put home on hold to guarantee home to others," concluded Norton.
    The Valley Voice honors not only Pamela Norton but all members of the American Legion Auxiliary for their annual thousands of hours behind the scenes and on the front lines of service to help veterans, improve their communities and to honor those who serve both past and present.

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