Lois Schaefer and other VFW Department 2025-26 officers were elected and installed during the state VFW and Auxiliary Convention held in Bismarck, May 29-June 1.

Lois Callahan, national representative for the convention, served as installation officer.

Callahan will be elected and installed as the 2025-2026 national president at the VFW and Auxiliary National Convention in Columbus, Ohio, Aug. 9-13. As national president, Callahan will visit every state. Her visit to North Dakota is scheduled for Aug. 22-24 during a fall workshop in Bottineau.

Schaefer’s theme as state president is the Rosie the Riveter theme “We Can Do It!”

Submitted Photo Sharol Paulson, right, Minot, was honored with the title “The Legend” during the recent Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary Department of North Dakota convention held in Bismarck. Brad Reed, 2025-26 senior vice commander for the VFW Department of N.D., escorts Paulson to dinner as part of her “royalty” title and many years of service to the auxiliary.

In her position as state president, Schaefer also will raise funds for a special project. Her project is Service Dogs for America based at Jud in LaMoure County, and her plans are to raise money for scholarships to assist veterans with the purchase of service dogs. The service dogs cost $25,000 each.

During the convention, Sharol Paulson, Minot, was crowned with the title “The Legend,” recognizing her for her many years of service with the auxiliary.