Janet Bacon is a 17-year member of the American Legion Auxiliary. Her eligibility is through her late father, Frederick A. Schroeffel III, who served in the Korean Conflict and later retired from the United States Marine Corps. Her son, Brent A. Bacon also served in the United States Marine Corps. Janet’s husband Jim is a Past 2nd Division Commander and Past 12th District Commander of the Sons of The American Legion and their daughter, Sarah, is also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary. Janet’s two granddaughters, Emelya and Avery are Junior members of her Unit.

Janet served as 12th District President for 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 and has served as Unit President from2010-2018, and 2019-2021. She has also served in numerous Unit and District Chairmanships. On the Division level she has served as 12th District registrar and AEF Chairman. On the Department level she has served on the Education Committee and has been the Education Chairman, 2017-2018 Department Membership Chairman, 2018-2019 Department of Illinois Historian, 2019-2021 2Nd Vice President and is currently serving as the 1st Vice President for the Department of Illinois Janet has been on staff for several years at ALA Illini Girls State.

Janet retired after teaching for 35 years. While teaching full time and raising her family, she received her master’s degree in Teaching and Leadership from Saint Xavier University. Janet has attended five National Conventions. She has attended the National Leadership Course held in Deland and the Central Division Mission Training Courses that have taken place in Springfield Illinois and Indianapolis, Indiana. She also has attended several Leadership Courses that were held at State Convention.

Bayard Brown Unit #337, the 12th District and the 2nd Division proudly endorse Janet Bacon for the office of President for the American Legion Auxiliary. Department of Illinois.

Janet is extremely proud to be a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and thanks you for your encouragement and continued support.

March / April President's Message

The American Legion Family Caravan was very successful. It was an experience that I will remember forever. I met so many new friends along the way and reconnected with many old friends. Thank you to everyone that came out to one of our many stops throughout the state. Whether it was your own Post, a neighboring Post or you brought in membership for your Unit or you just wanted to see what the Caravan was all about, you made a difference and I am very grateful for that. I wish that more Auxiliary members had been in attendance. We say it every year that this event is not just for the Legion, but it is a Legion Family event. I believe this is something that we can improve on over the years to come. The food was great at our many stops and the weather for the most part was great. We did have some torrential rain along the way, but it did not snow! Again, thank you to all the Posts that were hosts.

It was an honor representing the American Legion Auxiliary Department of Illinois at the 89th Lincoln Pilgrimage hosted by Post #32 out of Springfield, Illinois. I was able to spend time with our National Officers. These were some pretty busy days. Having my picture taken with these National Officers was fun. Our National President Vickie Koutz and I had the privilege of presenting the Lincoln Pilgrimage Challenge Awards to our top two Districts and Divisions. A blue jacket was presented to the President and Vice President if they were in attendance. Congratulations again to the Eighteenth and Sixteenth Districts and the First Division.

Our National President Vickie’s official visit to Illinois is during Patriotic Conference. She will be our keynote speaker in the afternoon. I hope you have marked your calendars to attend Patriotic Conference on Friday, March 17, 2023. It is being held at the Abraham Lincoln/Double Tree hotel in Springfield. We have several speakers planned for the day. Lunch will be provided, so please fill your form out and get it sent in by the deadline. Do not forget the basket raffles that will be taking place. The Juniors will also have some raffle items. So, please be generous when purchasing tickets for these raffles.

Following Patriotic Conference will be our Spring Board meeting. This meeting is open to all members. We do not have any closed meetings. Please remember that all District and Division Presidents and Vice Presidents are the voting members and will need to sit in the designated tables at the front of the room. Our meeting will start Friday evening and resume Saturday morning. Please keep this in mind as you are making your arrangements.
We will again be having three Junior Conferences held throughout the state. They will be held on Saturdays. The dates are: March 25th in Fairfield (5th Division), April 22nd in Arlington Heights (1st Division) and April 29th in Washington (3rd Division). I know that Chairman Tina has many exciting things planned for those days.
Have you contacted your schools with information on ALA Illini Girls State?

Do not forget about scholarships. Watch the due dates on these. It would be a shame if a student had to be disqualified because their application did not get to the proper destination on time.

I want to thank each and everyone of you for working membership. There are so many Units so very close to 100%. It has been said that the hardest ones to collect are the last ones. I believe you can do it.
Please remember that if you would like for me to attend a meeting or something you are doing at your Unit, District or Division, send me an email or a letter with the information and I will see if I can make it. I have been to several meetings and have enjoyed them all.

In closing, I would like to end with a quote that pertains to this great organization. “A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions and the roots spring up and make new trees”. Amelia Earhart wrote this about spring. Be sure to find time to show some acts of kindness.