Dear editor,

I would like to take this opportunity to thank a few people in Selma. On Sunday, Jan. 3, I received a telephone call from the Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Alabama Auxiliary President Kathy Rowe.

She informed me that the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary National President, Francesca Guilford (from the state of Alaska), would be making her annual visit to Alabama. She was to land in Montgomery on Wednesday, Jan. 6.

She was scheduled to visit a few historical sites in Montgomery on Thursday morning and then they were coming to Selma. She asked me to contact members of the local VFW Auxiliary to have them meet the group from Montgomery at the St. James for lunch. I was able to put a plan into motion.

I contacted the Chamber of Commerce to see if they could put together a welcome packet. The employees there were so helpful and put together a packet containing pamphlets and souvenirs sharing the great history of Selma. I talked with Mayor George Evans’ office to inform them of the visit. Mayor Evans was able to come to the St. James to meet the visiting group from Montgomery. He returned after a conference call to walk across the Edmund Pettus Bridge with the National President and Line Officers for the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary along with State Commander Johnny Waller of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

The buffet lunch at the St. James was amazing. The entire staff at the St. James did a wonderful job. They were both friendly and efficient.

I would also like to thank Emily Enfinger and The Selma Times Journal for the excellent coverage of this event.

I think that with the help of everyone involved the visit for the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary National President was both interesting and memorable. She remarked several times of the friendly hospitality extended by all that she came in contact with in Selma. I would like to thank everyone who took part or helped in making our city shine.

PATSY STONE

VFW Auxiliary President, Selma Post 3016