American Legion Auxiliary
Department of New York
Department President 2025-2026
Maureen Morgan
E-Mail: nyalapresident@gmail.com
Thank you for this great opportunity to be your Department President for the 2025 – 2026 year. This year will be an amazing year of travel and getting to meet the members of our organization. We will move forward to the best of our ability.
Our theme this year is “All Aboard for Veterans.” More than ever, we need to help our female veterans move forward and navigate the way back home. Too many are getting lost after serving their country and we need to help them see that they are not alone. This goes for all our veterans. If we work together and work on our programs and focus on the programs, we can accomplish this goal.
The Military Women’s Memorial is an amazing museum where female veterans can tell their story of the service they gave to this country. We need to recognize these women and get their story told. The Military Women’s Memorial is a museum right next Arlington Cemetery, and it is free to go in and visit. There are movies and Statutes of Women Serving our country and what they did while in service. All proceeds will go to helping to build programs about women that have served and are serving in the military and what they are doing for our country.
The Empire Girls State Program is an excellent opportunity for high school juniors to learn how to form a government and learn about themselves. We need to keep this program going.
The Plan of Action will have three reporting periods this year, November, March and June. This is so that we don’t miss out on what is done during Poppy Day or Memorial Day. It will also help District Presidents with their book of reports and platform remarks. This way we can get a better understanding of what is sent to the National Commander and gathered for the National Commander to report to Congress.
I am looking forward to the year ahead and traveling with the Department Commander and Detachment Commander; while we meet all the members of the Department of New York and hear about the accomplishments of the American Legion.
For God and Country, Our Veterans, and the American Legion Family.
Click here to download the 2025-2026 Department Officers Visitation Schedule* (as of 7/25/2025)
*Subject to change.
2025-2026
Department President’s Awards
DEPARTMENT PRESIDENT’S COMMITTEE AWARDS
Write-up cannot exceed 1,000 words, may include photos, PR clippings, printout of social media posts, etc. All entries are to be mailed to the Department President at her home no later than May 1, 2026. Email entries will not be accepted or considered.
Unit
The Department President’s Award will be presented to the Unit that donates the largest single donation into the Department Office by May 1, 2026, Department President’s project “The Military Women’s Memorial (Washington DC)” and “ALA Empire Girls State (NY)”.
County
The Department President’s Award will be presented to the County that donates the largest single donation into the Department Office by May 1, 2026, Department President’s project “The Military Women’s Memorial (Washington DC)” and “ALA Empire Girls State (NY)”.
AMERICANISM – To the Unit that submits the best overall Americanism Program in a school. Entry may include parades, celebrations of Patriotic Holidays like Veterans Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Flag etiquette/disposal ceremony, promoting Star Spangled Kids and the Americanism Essay Contest.
CHILDREN & YOUTH – To the Unit that submits the best Children & Youth program supporting Children & Youth including Military Children, plan a special celebration for the children during the month of April in honor of Children & Youth month and Month of the Military Child and Purple Up.
MEMBERSHIP – To the Unit that rejoins the largest number of members (including Senior and Juniors).
NATIONAL SECURITY – To the unit that submits the best program for Civil Preparedness, including blood drives, volunteer emergency preparedness, including Salute to Servicemembers.
VETERANS AFFAIRS AND REHABILIATION – To the Unit that submits the best program supporting our Veterans, their caregivers and family members, participating in Wreaths Across America, Veterans Creative Arts, and Service to Veterans (Outside of the VA facility).
Maureen Morgan
Department President Biography (LONG)
Department President 2025 – 2026
Maureen is a 10-year member of the American Legion Auxiliary; Maureen recently re-activated the Moscarella Unit 199 and is a charter member through the eligibility of herself as a United States Navy Veteran from the Lebanon/Grenada War.
Maureen’s leadership roles began at the Unit level as the Secretary, County level as a County President from 2016 to 2023 and the Rockland County Girls State Chairperson. Maureen has held District 9 Vice and President Positions from 2017 to 2021. Holding positions of Membership Chair as Vice President; as District President she held positions of Education managing all the National, Department and Sons Scholarships, and Legislative Chair. As the outgoing 9th District President, she was honored to have been appointed as the Convention Chairperson for the 2020 -2021 Department Convention that was held in person and virtually for the first time in history which was held in Albany. She also held the position of Americanism and attended Empire Girls State in July as the Americanism Auxiliary Instructor. As the 2nd Vice President Maureen held the Position of VA&R Chair and received the 17th District Congressional Veteran of the Year 2023 from Congressman Michael Lawler.
As a proud Veteran Maureen is a 25-year member of the American Legion Moscarella Post 199 in Spring Valley. As a member of the Post, she held the positions as the Post Adjutant and newsletter chairperson from 2002 – 2011. She became the Boys State Chairperson along with the Post Scholarship Program that is held in the East Ramapo Central School District. Maureen received numerous awards as the first female active Veteran in Rockland County. Maureen became the first female Post and County Commander in 2012 -2016. Maureen was also inducted into the New York State Veterans Hall of Fame in 2017 by Senator David Carlucci.
Maureen is married to Clarence (Ike) Bosford who is the Detachment SAL Historian for the Department of New York and is the Past Detachment 3rd and 4th Department Vice Commander of the Sons of the American Legion, Ike has transferred his membership to Leo Laders to Squadron 130. She has two sons, her oldest son is also a Navy Veteran having served in Iraqi Freedom. Both sons, daughter in law, and grandsons are all members of the American Legion Family.
SHORT BIO (UPDATED 9/16/2025)
Maureen Morgan
Biography
Department President 2025 – 2026
Maureen is a member of Unit 199; through the eligibility of herself as a United States Navy Veteran from the Lebanon/Grenada War. Maureen’s leadership roles began at the Unit level as the Secretary, and the County level as the County President in 2016 through 2023. Maureen is also the Rockland County Girls State Chairperson from 2016 to 2025. Maureen became 9th District Vice President in 2017-2018. As the 9th District Vice President, she was membership chair for the district. As 9th District President in 2018 she was the chairperson of Education and handled all the National, Department, and Sons Scholarships. When she was 9th District President in 2019 to 2021, she held the position of the Legislative Chair. In 2021 Maureen was the Convention Chair for the mini convention that was held in Albany. It was the first time that the convention was also being zoomed in for members who could not attend.
Maureen is also a 25-year member of American Legion Moscarella Post #199 in Spring Valley. In her 25 years as a Legion member Maureen has held many positions in the Post, County and District Level.
Maureen is married to Clarence (Ike) Bosford who is the Detachment of the Sons of the American Legion Historian. Maureen has two sons, one daughter in law and two grandsons, they are all members of the American Legion Family.
It is with great honor that I introduce our Department President Maureen Morgan.
THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT MAUREEN MORGAN
DEPARTMENT OF NEW YORK PRESIDENT
BIRTHDAY– April 28th
THEME– “All aboard for Veterans”
FAVORITE COLOR– Purple, pink, lavender, and blue
EARRINGS– Pierced
HOBBIES– Reading
FAVORITE FOODS– Don’t really have a favorite food. But I do hate peas, brussels sprouts, and asparagus.
FAVORITE DESSERT- Cookies
FAVORITE SNACKS– Chips, pretzels, Fresh Mozzarella cheese
FAVORITE CANDY- Spearmint leaves and Wint-O-Green life savers
FAVORITE DRINK– Iced Tea & Water
FAVORITE ADULT DRINK– Captain Morgan and seltzer with lime or lemon
FAVORITE FLOWER– Roses
ALLERGIES- Peanuts, Tree nuts (include almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, pecans, pistachios and walnuts) and latex.
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