For those of you who don’t know me, I am Sherry Howland; I joined the Auxiliary in 1997 and became a Life Member in 2003 in Ogden, Utah’s Post Auxiliary 1481. My eligibility is with my husband Dennis Howland, a United States Marine who served in Vietnam in 1966 and 1967. I have a history of family that served in the Military; my husband,my father,2 great uncles, 2 uncles and 2 brothers. From WWII to Korea to Vietnam these are my HEROS.  Basically, that is why I joined, I stay active and enjoy the opportunity to serve our veterans.

In 1989, I became Mrs. Dennis Howland, and we combined our families giving us four daughters and one son. As the years passed, we have grown into a proud family of five children, 27 grandkids, 30 greats and 2 great-great grandkids. Yes, we have been blessed many times.

I have held several positions at the Department, District and Post Auxiliary levels. They have included Utah Department President and many offices along the journey to get there. So, along the way I have had the opportunity to be the bad guy as well as the good guy. Hopefully more of the latter.  But always a proud Auxiliary member.

I currently serve as Department Treasurer, my 11th year. I have been Department and Post Chairperson for Veterans & Family Support for four years, and currently the Department Legislative chair. I served as Auxiliary National Legislative Ambassador for 2023-2024; an appointment I am very proud of.

In my 26 years as a VFW Auxiliary Member, I have acquired many new friends around the country. Most of them don’t know much about me and we don’t celebrate birthdays or most holidays together. However, I am grateful for these friends as they are true HEROES. They are our veterans and their families who have supported their veterans during their military service and their post-military endeavors. The veterans of past, present and those yet to become, and their families, tend to be OUR BEST FRIENDS. So, I have been blessed with many BEST FRIENDS.

Our work as Auxiliary Members in supporting America’s heroes and their families requires a deep understanding of those Legislative issues that affect each of them. Through our efforts as a team and working with our VFW members, we can make a positive impact on the U.S. Senators and members of Congress, as well as our State Legislators. to benefit all our veterans and their families. Let’s each make a commitment to strive for improving the benefits and lives of all those that have and are serving.

Sherry Howland

Utah VFW Auxiliary Department Treasurer and Legislative chair