By Sara Fowler 

Twelve American Legion Auxiliary departments (states) were recognized Aug. 31 as Merit Medallion winners on stage at the ALA’s 105th National Convention in Louisville, Ky. 

The Department Merit Medallion Award focuses on recognizing and celebrating departments that strive for and achieve excellence in mission and business practices.   

These elite departments understand that focusing on department business excellence not only drives volunteer engagement and allegiance, but it also cultivates respect in the ranks and validates the legitimacy or the ALA for both members and non-members.

The 2025-2026 Department Merit Medallion Award recipients: 

• California
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Minnesota
• Nebraska
• New York
• Oklahoma
• Texas
• Vermont
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin

“These departments are examples of excellence,” said 2025-2026 ALA National President Pam Ray. “They are truly our mission in action.”
 
Departments earned the distinction of having a special navy delegation sign with their state name on it, and the winners received a Merit Medallion medal to wear during all of National Convention week. 

Requirements for the Department Merit Medallion Award include membership, department impact reporting, governance excellence, financial fiduciary responsibilities, mission investment donations, and must have received a Veteran Projects Fund grant from the American Legion Auxiliary Foundation.

For a more detailed explanation of these requirements, visit www.ALAforVeterans.org/Department-Merit-Medallion.