Whenever Jan Tittle would open a newspaper or magazine, she was bothered when she’d see athletes or pop stars portrayed as heroes.

That’s why the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary national president chose the theme “It’s Time For America’s Military Heroes.”

“If ever there was a time to stand up and remind this country who the real heroes of our nation are, it is now,” Tittle said. “The men and women who wear our country’s uniform are the ones to earn our respect.”

Tittle was in Albert Lea Tuesday to visit with members of the local VFW Auxiliary and VFW chapter at the American Legion Club. It was the first time the local auxiliary hosted a national president.

National presidents visit the home area of each state president. This year, Paty Thrond of Emmons is the Minnesota department president.

Tittle was elected national president in August and since then has visited 17 states. She has only been home to her home in South Carolina six days since.

Next month, she will travel to Taiwan and will meet with the minister of veterans affairs. She also has an appointment with the president of the People’s Republic of China.

Tittle said when she met her husband, his parents were members of the VFW and its auxiliary. Her own father was a World War II veteran and a Purple Heart recipient.

She said she got involved with the auxiliary to offer support on the local level, and never dreamed she’d one day, 32 years later, become national president.

“I kind of got caught up in it,” she said. “It’s a wonderful sisterhood of members, working for a common cause.

“You become involved and it goes from there,” she added.

Tittle said she’s proud of the work the auxiliary does for raising money for cancer research, veterans memorials and continuing support of the Statue of Liberty.

She had this message to members of the military and their families: “If you have a need, we’re here. We invite anyone affiliated to check and see if they are eligible for membership and join.”

The local auxiliary was urged to continue to work hard on membership.

“We need to share what the ladies’ auxiliary is all about,” Tittle said.

It’s important, she said, so veterans get what they were promised. “If we’re going to send soldiers to war we have to have this membership to to get and keep the attention of our political leaders,” she said.

Raising one hand with two fingers about one inch apart, she urged everyone to do “this much more.”

“Everybody can do this much more,” Tittle said. “And if we do, it will be a wonderful year. You’ve always lived up to the challenge.”

Tittle has previously served as auxiliary and district president, national publicity director, national patriotic instructor and national chairwoman for the Southern Conference on Americanism and Hospital programs.

She is a life member of the VFW National Home for Children, a charter member of the Dixie Dogs Pup Tent 11 of the military order of the Cooties Auxiliary and a member of the Highland Park Baptist Church.

She and her husband, Daniel, have two children and one grandchild.

After Tittle’s visit in Albert Lea, she traveled to Owatonna for social time and dinner. Today, the national president will visit the Spam Museum in Austin and have lunch at the VFW post there. Her day will conclude with social hour at 5 p.m. and dinner at 6 p.m. at the Frank J. Kalis VFW Post 1778 in Wells.