Nancy Kurk
was elected President of the American Legion Auxiliary, Department of New
York,
on July 17, 2010 at the Department Convention, held in Syracuse, New York,
for the year 2010 - 2011
Inauguration
Speech:
It
is an honor and a privilege to serve as your Department President. My
quest to lead our great organization has taken many years, but the lessons
I have learned and moreover the friendships that have been made have made
the journey a most enjoyable one.
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Department President's Project
On any given night across our Nation over 154,000 Veterans are homeless.
Over one third of all homeless are Veterans. Most have at least a high
school education and some have college degrees. It is not just the
enlisted man or woman. Those Soldiers have put their lives on the line to
protect our freedom. Many lives were drastically changed from the jungles,
monsoon rains, napalm and Agent Orange of Vietnam. They fought and were
declared a band of brothers, but many suffered emotional scars that you
and I cannot see. Our Soldiers - both men and women - who have endured the
heat and burning sands of Iraq and Afghanistan for the sake of democracy
are the newest additions to the homeless veterans’ population. Yes, my
friends, even our most current warriors are experiencing homelessness.
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Biography of the Dept.
President
Unit:
Nancy has dual eligibility through
her father (Jack) Gerald Heath, WWII Air Force Veteran, and former husband
Kenneth Burgess, Air Force Vietnam Veteran. Nancy’s present husband Tom,
Past Detachment Commander, Sons of the American Legion, served during
2005-2006.Nancy has been a member of Robson-Savage Unit #546 for
thirty-four years. In 1990, Nancy was first elected Unit President. She
has served as Vice President and Treasurer, as well as chairing most
committees. Under her Chairmanship the Unit has won Department awards in
Americanism, Education, Community Service and National Security. She has
represented the Unit as a delegate to many Department Conventions. Nancy
is a Field Service and Veterans Affairs Voluntary Services volunteer.
Nancy serves on the “Operation Military Kids” New York State team and is a
“Ready, Set, Go”, program trainer. Nancy received her training in
Albuquerque, New Mexico December 2009.
County:
In 1992, Nancy was first elected
Yates County President, an office she has held three times. Nancy has served
most committees and held several offices. Under her leadership Yates County
has achieved recognition for 100% Membership and 100% reporting. Yates
County won the Wilma Laraway Award for Field Service when Nancy was Chairman
in 2000. Nancy is currently serving the County as Legislative and Past
Presidents Parley Chairman.
District:
On the District level, Nancy has
served as District Secretary for three administrations and one term as
Acting District Chaplain. Serving twice as Field Day Chairman at Canandaigua
VAMC was one of Nancy’s personal best achievements. She has served two
administrations representing the District on the Constitution & By-laws, and
Resolutions committees at the Department Convention. Nancy was elected
District Vice President in 2000-2001 and District President in 2001-2002. As
District President, she chaired the Americanism Program and attended Empire
Girls State in 2002. Nancy chaired the District Leadership Workshop in 2006.
During the 2006 American Legion Auxiliary Convention held in Rochester, she
served as Executive Dinner Chairman and Vice Chairman of Distinguished
Guests.
Department:
On the Department level Nancy has
chaired the following committees, Membership 2009-2010, Children and Youth
Committee 2008-2009, Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Chairman 2007-2008,
Midwinter Conference in 2006, Nancy was honored to serve as Luncheon
Chairman for National President Carol Van Kirk. Legislative Chairman,
2006-2007. The National Organization recognized the Department of New York,
Eastern Division for outstanding work in the Veterans Affairs and
Rehabilitation Program 2007-2008. Department of New York, Eastern Division
Award for Children and Youth in 2008-2009, along with the Heritage Plaque
award for the Departments contributions to the Child Welfare Foundation. She
chaired the Warrior Family Assistance grant program in 2009-2010. Nancy has
been active in the Empire Girls State program, serving as a housemother for
five years and as Vice Chairman of the program in 2003, as Nationalist Party
Advisor. Since her training in Indianapolis, Indiana in 2003, Nancy has
served seven years on the Unit Development and Revitalization Team, now
known as the Membership Support Team. She has presented at Midwinter
Conference and at several leadership workshops within her District.
Nancy was honored to serve as Location Leader for the “Wreath’s Across
America Project”, at the Bath National Cemetery in 2006, 2007 and 2008. Nancy
has represented the Department at seven National Conventions as a delegate,
and served as representative for the Seventh District on Resolutions and
Constitution & By-laws, on the Department level. Nancy has attended many
District, Department and National Workshops and became a Certified
Leadership Instructor in December 2001. Nancy has served as VAVS Deputy and
Poppy Supervisor at the Canandaigua Veterans Affairs Medical Center,
Personal & Professional Life::
She and Tom have been
married thirty years. They are members of the First Baptist Church in
Geneva. They have two daughters, and four grandchildren, all of whom are
members of the American Legion family. While her daughters were children,
Nancy was a 4H Leader and Brownie Leader. Nancy is a certified white face
clown and has performed at nursing homes and Veterans Medical Centers,
bringing joy to the residents and staff. Nancy is an Independent Living
Skills Trainer with Sibley Nursing Personnel, Inc. She assists individuals
who have suffered traumatic brain injury regain their independence at home
and in the community.
Nancy’s leadership in and enthusiasm for the programs of the American Legion
Auxiliary continue to inspire our members. She is deeply committed to our
“Service not Self”, philosophy in service to our Veterans, Youth and
Communities.
