SAVANNAH, Ga. – Maine’s Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars President Joan Hebert of Auburn was honored during the group’s national mid-year conference, held Feb. 5 through 8. Hebert is a member of the Captain Frank W. Hulett Post 1603, Veterans of Foreign Wars Ladies Auxiliary.

She is one of 50 state presidents who achieved the goal of 85 percent membership by Dec. 31, 2008. National President Dixie Hild of Omaha, Neb., honored each with a medallion recognizing her leadership.

The event was held at the Marriott Savannah Riverfront, with more than 300 members from throughout the country in attendance.

In addition to honoring the state presidents, attendees discussed the mid-year progress of the auxiliary’s 12 community service programs such as the Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest and the Hospital and VA Voluntary Service programs.

Also discussed was the status of the Cancer Aid and Research funds, as members strive to raise more than $3 million for the auxiliary’s fund. Hild donated $25,000 to the Memorial University Medical Center of Savannah for cancer genetics research.

The 562,892 members of the nationwide organization are wives, mothers, daughters and other female relatives of those who have served overseas during a war. As when the organization began in 1914, serving veterans continues to be its major goal.

For more information on the auxiliary, go to www.ladiesauxvfw.org.