Local Auxiliary Junior Named Honorary District and Department Chaplain
Alanna Willis, age 10, has been a member of the Bagley American Legion Auxiliary(ALA) Juniors since she was an infant. Since about the age 7 she has began assisting her mom Amanda in the Bingo Concessions during Friday night Bingo at the Bagley American Legion.
Since that time Alana has been involved in numerous projects for veterans, including those in assisted living programs, official flag disposal ceremonies, Boo Bash, distribution of poppies on National Poppy Day and at the cemetery at the start of the Memorial Day services held at the Bagley Cemetery. In the last couple years she has attended the District 9 Conferences and Department Conventions. In 2026 a few things happened.
Alanna became the Honorary ALA Junior Chaplain of the 9th District at the District Junior Conference in Argyle on 22Mar26. Then on 11April26 she became the Honorary ALA Junior Chaplain of the American Legion Auxiliary Department in Stewartville, MN. She will serve 2026-2027 year. “This is quite a honor” said Denise Milton, upcoming Bagley Auxiliary Unit 16 President.
Bagley Legion Auxiliary Unit 16 Chaplain Lorraine Brustad said, “Alanna continues impressing me with her caring for the veteran and keeping their memories alive. She is a talented young lady which has been shown through her creative projects she has made for district competitions. She’s always been involved with the “poppy girls” for the Memorial Day Service and is now Honorary Chaplin of the Junior Auxiliary for our district(9th). It’s refreshing to see such a young person have so much dedication to a cause that is so close to our hearts. Alanna is thoughtful and respectful to everyone. For being only 10 years old, she is such a sweetheart and amazing. She will go far in life! God’s blessings always!”
Current Bagley Legion Auxiliary Unit 16 President Cheryl Grover shared, “Alanna is a shining example of what a Junior Auxiliary Member should be - she loves Veterans, Service is her passion and she does all of this with a HUGE SMILE and much ENTHUSIASM while watching her grow over the past few years. We are so proud of Alanna and look forward as she grows in both District 9 and Department of Minnesota Auxiliary Junior Leadership”.
Alanna has aspirations of becoming president. Auxiliary Unit 16? District 9? and/or Department(State of MN)? Or the United States of America? She has the potential of all four.