Above: 2025-2026 American Legion Auxiliary National President Pam Ray leads fellow 2025-2026 leadership during installation at National Convention.
A new year for the ALA started in Tampa, Fla., when we concluded our 104th National Convention. The first order of business — welcoming a new face to lead our organization.
Pam Ray of Illinois was elected national president of the American Legion Auxiliary during National Convention held Aug. 22-28 in Tampa.
“Thank you all so much for the trust you have shown today by electing and installing me as your national president,” Ray said from the convention stage. “I promise to do my very best to respect that trust and protect our mission and our organization.”
Before being elected to the ALA’s highest volunteer office, Ray held numerous leadership positions in the organization at the unit, district, department, and national levels. At the national level, she served as chair of several programs, including Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation, Children & Youth, ALA Girls Nation, Junior Activities, National Security, Membership, and Constitution & Bylaws. She also served on the National Executive Committee and ALA Strategic Planning Committee.
Ray is a member of Urbana Unit 71 in Illinois. She is eligible for membership through her late father, Clay Lofton, who served during the Korean War and World War II.
In her professional life, Ray was a nurse for 47 years and loved caring for people who needed help. As a nurse, she worked in the burn center, pediatrics, neurosurgery, and spent much of her career caring for head and neck cancer patients and their families.
Ray’s own family is an integral part of her life. She has been married to Harl “Butch” Ray for 46 years. They have two daughters and two grandchildren.
National Focus
The 2025-2026 ALA administrative year emphasis is mission driven and family focused. We are going back to why we were organized and with a focus on the family — not just the families we serve — but The American Legion Family.
Learn more about the administrative year focus here.
What is your hobby?
I have played Bunco once every month for the last 40+ years.
What is your go-to sandwich?
Jif peanut butter and sweet chunky pickles (million dollar pickles).
Favorite food?
Potatoes fried any way, but most favorite is real mashed potatoes.
Favorite movie?
Steel Magnolias. I have five neighborhood friends. Each of us have been ID’ed as one of the six friends in this movie. I am M’Lynn.
What pastime do you and Butch enjoy?
We have followed drum and bugle corps for many years. We have attended DCI World Championships for many years. We took our girls when they were very young. My favorite thing is the drumline.
What is your favorite holiday?
Christmas! We decorate every room in the house. Christmas music starts early! I have always enjoyed giving gifts, but when I started having kids and grandkids, it became a whole new ballgame!
Once you are done traveling as national president, what would you like to do?
I love cruising; that is a definite. Anytime I’m near water, I am at peace.
What is your biggest fear?
I have two: drowning (bridges creep me out) and being in a fire (I used to work the burn center, and the injury and pain these patients endure is heartbreaking.
What is your favorite childhood toy?
Little Lulu doll: Got a new one every year for my birthday. I took her with me! And my dad would say I liked all ugly dolls. One year, he couldn’t find Shrinking Violet anywhere for Christmas. My aunt in Texas found one and put it on a bus to Illinois. Best Christmas!
Biggest pet peeve?
Dishonesty and manipulation.
Favorite vacation as a kid?
As kids, we would go to Spooner, Wisconsin, every year. We went with family or friends. We would leave at 10 at night. Dad made us a bed in the back. When we woke up, we were there. We would fish, stay in a cabin, and go looking for deer every night.
What is your dream vacation destination?
Greece and England.
Is there anything else you want to add?
I love learning about Grace Kelly and Princess Diana. They were true ladies who gave so much.
In the spirit of Service, Not Self, the mission of the American Legion Auxiliary is to support The American Legion and to honor the sacrifice of those who serve by enhancing the lives of our veterans, military, and their families, both at home and abroad. For God and Country, we advocate for veterans, educate our citizens, mentor youth, and promote patriotism, good citizenship, peace and security.
