Lori Skallerud

Story by Hannah Schmitz

Lori Skallerud is very passionate about her work with the American Legion Auxiliary.  After 45 years of dedicated membership, she has become the Northwest Division National Vice President.  Her love for the organization sprouted approximately 44 years ago when she had the opportunity to carry the colors.  Skallerud recalls that after attending a few local Auxiliary meetings in Minnesota, she was asked to attend a district meeting.  At this district meeting, she was asked to carry the colors.  Skallerud can still remember how moving this experience was.

Skallerud’s story was only just beginning at that district meeting.  She knew she was eligible at that moment because her father was a WWII veteran, her husband was a Korean Conflict veteran and her brother was a Vietnam veteran.  She joined and later served all of the district and department offices, moving up in position until she earned the prestigious office she holds today.

This job names her as the overseer and representative of the national organization.  She presides over seven states, including Nebraska and her home state of Minnesota.  She is currently supporting the Five Year Strategic Plan.  This plan is a list of five main goals, one of the most important of them being that the national organization reaches 1,000,000 members.  When asked about what she enjoys most about her job, she answered that she enjoys meeting people.  Skallerud likes to visit the different Auxiliary posts and seeing the work that these units have done.  Skallerud said, “The passions are different.”

Skallerud was successful even before she became a member of the Auxiliary.  She served her community as a police officer for ten years.  She also worked for the Veteran Service Office and later the Red Cross.  In addition to all of this, she is a mother.  She had three children with her late husband and now has six grandchildren.  One of her granddaughters is running for a district office in the Auxiliary.  She is now engaged, which she is very excited about.

Skallerud advises all young women to join the Auxiliary.  She is fearful of the Auxiliary shrinking in size and said it is important to get new ideas.  

“We need members to help get bills passed to help our veterans,” said Skallerud. “If we don’t continue to grow, we won’t continue to help our veterans.”  

She also encouraged delegates at the session on Wednesday to thank their Auxiliary unit at home for giving them this amazing opportunity.  Also at the session, she told the citizens of Girls State not to take Girls State lightly, because the information obtained will be carried with the citizens throughout the rest of their lives.

Skallerud has had an outstanding career with the American Legion Auxiliary that many others only dream about.  Who knows what else she will achieve in the years to come.