Delegates to the 88th National Convention of the American Legion Auxiliary elected Desireé (Desi) A. Stoy as National President during the close of the organization’s convention in Phoenix. Stoy is a 41-year and honorary life member of Irvin Hiskey Unit 535 in her hometown of Bellville, Ohio. She is eligible for the American Legion Auxiliary through the service of her late stepfather, Jack R. Miller, a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War. 

“I ask you to remember why you joined, to reflect on what energizes your batteries and join me in renewing your commitment to our mission,” Stoy said during her address to convention delegates.

The mission since the organization’s beginning has been sponsoring volunteer programs on the national and local levels, focusing on veterans, young people and the community. Stoy believes the organization has made promises for generations.  That is why her theme encourages members to approach each challenge with “HOPE: Honoring Our Promise Everyday.”

“We are a nation at war, a nation that needs volunteers now as never before,” Stoy said. “Never let one military family say there is no hope.  That’s our call to action in the months ahead — to reach out to help the families who are the ones shouldering the burden of this war.  We will indentify their stressors and needs, and we will offer assistance either rolling up our sleeves and doing it ourselves or by locating other resources to assist them.” 

Stoy has been an active member of the American Legion Auxiliary since she was a young girl in the Juniors Program.  She has served in a variety of leadership roles at the local, state and national levels, including National Chairman of the Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation, Children & Youth, Community Service, and Legislative Committees.  She also served as the National Vice President representing central states in 1995-1996.

Stoy holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Ashland University and has worked in the university’s Auxiliary Services Department since 1992.  She is married to Timothy and has two stepchildren and five grandchildren.

The American Legion Auxiliary has 900,000 members across the nation and in several foreign locations. Affiliated with The American Legion, the Auxiliary is the largest women's patriotic service organization with volunteer programs on the national and local levels serving veterans, their families and their communities.