Payne-Rogers named American Legion Unit President of the Year

Fran Payne-Rogers, unit president for the American Legion Unit No. 54 in Saratoga, was recently named Unit President of the Year for the 2012-13 year, out of the 43 American Legion units in the department of Wyoming.

Payne-Rogers, who was elected unit president for the 2013-14 year in May, received the Unit President of the Year honor at the 92nd annual Wyoming American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) June 26-29 in Cheyenne. She was presented by American Legion Auxiliary Department President Joyce Menke.

“I was completely blown away. I had no clue that this was coming and it was a total, complete surprise,” Payne-Rogers said. “I’m very honored to be recognized as president of the year. What I consider normal, other people consider special, so I don’t think I did anything outstanding except work and do the things that I firmly believe in, which is helping the veterans.”

While witnessing a possible honoree for the year, Payne-Rogers said Menke visited all 43 Wyoming units last year in the course of her being a president, and listened to reports given at their district conference. She said also the productivity and strength of other members likely played a part in Menke’s choosing of a Unit President of the Year recipient.

“It’s based on how our unit performs with all the activities that we do, programs we do, any leadership displayed or used, organization of the programs here, attendance at conferences and workshops, and whatever other criteria she puts into it,” Payne-Rogers said. “I also worked hard at raising money and giving it away, and going to all the conferences. I also have a wonderful group behind me, the members are awesome and we work very hard.”

In her time spent with the Legion, Payne-Rogers said she has served as Unit Secretary, District 6 Vice President, District 6 President, Unit Historian, Department Level Chaplain and Department Level Co-Chair for Public Relations, and in addition to being Unit President, is currently Department Historian and Chairperson for Leadership at the department level. Growing up in Saratoga, Payne-Rogers was a junior member of the Auxiliary in her younger years, and had parents who were both officers at the local level.

“My mother is a Past Department President, and my dad is a Past District Commander, I believe,” she said. “When I was kid they were very active in the Legion and Auxiliary. My mother, Pat (Payne) Faust, served as a Past Department President from 1973-74.”

As a long-time Legion member, Payne-Rogers said her favorite part about being involved with the Legion is the knowledge that American veterans are being well-served.

“My favorite part is the fact I know in my heart that I’m helping veterans, and without them we wouldn’t be where we are,” she said. “We get to help some kids too, who are the veterans’ children.”

She also mentioned goals she would like to see the Legion accomplish for the future.

“I want to stress our national programs more, and make people more aware of each one of those,” Payne-Rogers said. “I would love to get more participation, because it seems like eight or 10 of us do it all sometimes, and I’d like to make a more concerted effort to help the veterans. I’d like to thank everyone for everything done to help our programs and fundraisers.”