Mary Ellen Piotrowski

Mary spent the next few years having and raising seven children. From June of 1971 until August 1985 she worked as a Program Assistant in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. She retired in August of 1985 and with Vernon moved to Sun City West, Arizona where they both transferred to Sun City West American Legion Post 94. Their happy retirement was short lived as Vernon died June 26, 1987. After Vernon's death, Mary Ellen became very actively involved in all activities of SCW Post 94. She served as Adjutant 7 years, Membership Chairman 8 years and became the first female Commander of the Post in the 1993-94 year. While Post Commander she instituted American Legion Auxiliary Unit 94. She also served as Adjutant of District 11 and then Commander of District 11. She continued serving as Department of Arizona Vice Commander, during which time she instituted Surprise Post No. 96, and in 2000-2001 she was elected State Commander of Arizona. During each of these offices she achieved a 100% membership goal. Post 94 awarded her an Honorary Life Membership in 1991 and in 1994 she was awarded the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge George Washington Honor Medal for Legion volunteerism. In October of 1990 Mary Ellen married Pearl Harbor Survivor Frank W. Smith. He died January 27, 1997. Mary Ellen continued to serve the veteran community. In addition to serving on many Department and National Committees, Governor Jane D. Hull appointed her to the Department of Veterans Services Advisory Commission. She was reappointed by Governor Janet Napolitano who also appointed her to the Iraqi War Memorial Commission, She also served as Chairman of Unified Arizona Veterans and Co-Chairman of the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Executive Committee. In 2004 she was voted Arizona's Legionnaire of the Year. Mary Ellen's memberships include: Member of Our Lady of Lourdes parish; Charter Member of WIMSA (Women in Military Service for America); Charter Member and Paid for Life Member in Auxiliary Unit 94; Paid for life Member in VFW Auxiliary No. 10695; Member and Past Director VIP (three times) of Arizona Echelon 35 of the 20 & 4 (National Honor Society of Female Legionnaires); Paid for Life Member in Korean War Veterans Association of Arizona; Paid for Life Member in National Association of Unified Services; Member of Phoenix Chapter of Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge.