Education

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This education link has been set up to keep all ILA members informed of what’s taking place in our industry; past and present. This site will include articles, stories, photographs and videos. At times, some of the videos will include training and be educational. Other times, we will take a look into our past and learn more and more about the history of this union and how it was built into what it is today.

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ILA Education/History

ILA Education/History

OFFICIAL ILA EDUCATION/HISTORY PAGE ENDORSED BY OUR INTERNATIONAL

Never forget the sacrifices ILA members made to build our great union into what it is today

RESPECT THE STARS AND STRIPES
FLAG DAY
JUNE 14, 2026

Flag Day has been celebrated in the United States since 1916 when President Woodrow Wilson issued a presidential proclamation that designated June 14 Flag Day.
This U.S. flag waves high and proud along with the ILA Local 1804-1 flag at Port Newark Container Terminal in Newark, NJ.

#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation
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RESPECT THE STARS AND STRIPES 
FLAG DAY 
JUNE 14, 2026 

Flag Day has been celebrated in the United States since 1916 when President Woodrow Wilson issued a presidential proclamation that designated June 14 Flag Day. 
This U.S. flag waves high and proud along with the ILA Local 1804-1 flag at Port Newark Container Terminal in Newark, NJ.

#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation

1 CommentComment on Facebook

Right on I agree

Port Miami

ILA Local 1588 members proudly come together to support ILA International Vice President Virgil Maldonado on the evening he is recognized and honored at the “Night in White” at Port Miami.

#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation
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Port Miami

ILA Local 1588 members proudly come together to support ILA International Vice President Virgil Maldonado on the evening he is recognized and honored at the “Night in White” at Port Miami.

#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation

12 CommentsComment on Facebook

Now that’s a nice dam picture people!! New money with a smile !!

Very cool guys 💪💪

Congratulations to my friend Virgil Maldonado

Love this!!!

Looking good!!

Lookin good my Brothers!! 👍👍

✊🫶

“A Class Act”… 💯

Looking good brothers!!

Congratulations to ILA International Vice President on your well-deserved recognition!

Yikes.

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Port of Savannah

ILA Local 1414 Business Agents Ferguson and Johnson are out on the port keeping members hydrated on this day at the Port of Savannah when the temperatures topped out into the 90’s.

Today, ILA Local 1414 dispatched 30 gangs for container vessels.
It was 90 degrees in the Port City of Savannah, GA and the Business Agents of ILA Local 1414, Terrius Ferguson and Ahmad Johnson, were out serving the longshoremen and longshorewomen with cold Gatorade and water.

“People ask us why we love our position. Truth is, it’s bigger than sitting behind a desk or speaking at a microphone. It’s about showing up, serving, and caring for the men and women who work day and night in this heat.”

That’s what leadership looks like!

Terrius Ferguson and Ahmad Johnson
ILA Local 1414 Business Agents

#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation
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Port of Savannah 

ILA Local 1414 Business Agents Ferguson and Johnson are out on the port keeping members hydrated on this day at the Port of Savannah when the temperatures topped out into the 90’s. 

Today, ILA Local 1414 dispatched 30 gangs for container vessels. 
It was 90 degrees in the Port City of Savannah, GA and the Business Agents of ILA Local 1414, Terrius Ferguson and Ahmad Johnson, were out serving the longshoremen and longshorewomen with cold Gatorade and water. 

“People ask us why we love our position. Truth is, it’s bigger than sitting behind a desk or speaking at a microphone.  It’s about showing up, serving, and caring for the men and women who work day and night in this heat.” 

That’s what leadership looks like!

Terrius Ferguson and Ahmad Johnson
ILA Local 1414 Business Agents

#InternationalLongshoremensAssociationImage attachmentImage attachment

41 CommentsComment on Facebook

90 my butt, it was hot af out there today,

That savannah heat ain’t no joke #2046

30 gangs?? Wow

Im ready 💯 im coming this year 💪

Team work definitely makes the dream work 👌🏽💪🏽👍🏽💯

Love builds TEAMS and FAMILY….we need more of this from all off us so not just our ILA TEAM/FAMILY can grow stronger but our community can grow stronger…great job young KINGS 🫡💯

It was 98 with 108 heat index

Heat index ranged from 105 to 114 today in Savannah !!! Way to go gentlemen!! Definitely much needed on the docks !

My favorite business agents!! Way to go guys

Love that it takes a village to do the job 1414

Standing ovation we put the right persons in the seat. Keep up the good work.

Great Job

Love yall BB'S s💪

Yall should’ve sent us some while we were up there lashing.😂💪🏿❤️ BB (Beyond Blessed) 🫡Thank you guys for your service.

Awesome.1414

Unsung heroes of our area!! 🙌🏼 TY

Awesome Leadership 👌

Fasho, Hot, Cold, raining, freezing, longshoremen are out there,I.L.A strong

May God continue to cover and Bless us all , Amen 🙏🏾 Amen 🙏🏾 💪💪💪

🗣30 GANGS! 🗣WELL I BE DAM(Money Mike vc)🤣🤣🤣

💯💪🏾

Annette Coleman

I mean elections coming up, that's what a good politician do..

💪🏾💪🏾

💯💯💯

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Miami, FL

ILA INTERNATIONAL VICE PRESIDENT VIRGIL MALDONADO TO BE HONORED AT THE A. PHILIP RANDOLPH INSTITUTE MIAMI DADE CHAPTER SCHOLARSHIP DINNER

Please join us in congratulating ILA International Vice President and Executive Council Member Virgil Maldonado as he will lead an impressive list of honorees this weekend at the A. Philip Randolph Institute Miami-Dade Chapter “Clarence Pittman, Jr. Scholarship Dinner-Dance Night in White” to be held at the Biscayne Bay Marriott in Miami, Florida. Virgil Maldonado is a 29-year veteran with the International Longshoremen’s Association and has served as President of ILA Local 1588, out of Bayonne, NJ, since 2010.

The Night In White celebration helps raise funds for the “Clarnece Pittman, Jr. Scholarship Fund.” Named in honor of the legendary ILA leader and long-time president of ILA Local 1416 in Miami who passed away in December 2013, the Clarence Pittman Jr. Scholarship Fund had presented over $200,000 in educational scholarship grants to deserving students in the South Florida.

Virgil Maldonado is the proud father of his three beautiful daughters Madison, Ava and Skylar.

CONGRATULATIONS!!

In photographs:
1. Virgil Maldonado speaks to ILA members during ILA Strike on October 1, 2024.
2. Virgil Maldonado stands proud with ILA International President Harold J. Daggett.
3. Going back to where it all started for him, Virgil Maldonado takes a seat in the new cranes at Port Liberty in Bayonne, NJ
4. Always heavily involved in the community, Virgil Maldonado proudly waves the ILA flag at the Puerto Rico Day Parade in 2025.

#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation
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Miami, FL

ILA INTERNATIONAL VICE PRESIDENT VIRGIL MALDONADO TO BE HONORED AT THE A. PHILIP RANDOLPH INSTITUTE MIAMI DADE CHAPTER SCHOLARSHIP DINNER 

Please join us in congratulating ILA International Vice President and Executive Council Member Virgil Maldonado as he will lead an impressive list of honorees this weekend at the A. Philip Randolph Institute Miami-Dade Chapter “Clarence Pittman, Jr. Scholarship Dinner-Dance Night in White” to be held at the Biscayne Bay Marriott in Miami, Florida.  Virgil Maldonado is a 29-year veteran with the International Longshoremen’s Association and has served as President of ILA Local 1588, out of Bayonne, NJ, since 2010.

 The Night In White celebration helps raise funds for the “Clarnece Pittman, Jr. Scholarship Fund.”  Named in honor of the legendary ILA leader and long-time president of ILA Local 1416 in Miami who passed away in December 2013, the Clarence Pittman Jr. Scholarship Fund had presented over $200,000 in educational scholarship grants to deserving students in the South Florida.

Virgil Maldonado is the proud father of his three beautiful daughters Madison, Ava and Skylar. 

CONGRATULATIONS!! 

In photographs:
1. Virgil Maldonado speaks to ILA members during ILA Strike on October 1, 2024. 
2. Virgil Maldonado stands proud with ILA International President Harold J. Daggett.
3. Going back to where it all started for him, Virgil Maldonado takes a seat in the new cranes at Port Liberty in Bayonne, NJ
4. Always heavily involved in the community, Virgil Maldonado proudly waves the ILA flag  at the Puerto Rico Day Parade in 2025. 

#InternationalLongshoremensAssociationImage attachmentImage attachment+1Image attachment

20 CommentsComment on Facebook

Congratulations Virgil!!

Congratulations!!

Congratulations Brother!!

Congratulations Virgil, well deserved brother 👏

Congratulations 🍾

Congratulations Virgil 🎉

Congratulations Virgil, well deserved 👏

Congratulations Brother!!

Congrats Brother

Now that’s a standup human being right there! Hell of a labor leader too! Congratulations my brother! Love you pal

Hell yeah brother! Keep up the good work we are behind you 💯

Congratulations brother! Well deserved!

Well deserved, Brother!

Top tier One hell of a human Congrats boss 👏🏻

Congratulations Brother 🎊 With Mr Daggett in concurrence !!!!!

Huge Congratulations Virgil! 👏👏

Congratulations brother!

Congratulations Virgil !! Well deserved

Congrats Virgil well deserved!!

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Port of Charleston

Magnificent evening photograph shared to us from the Port of Charleston.

Have a great weekend ILA sisters and brothers!!
Stay Safe!
God Bless You and Your Families!

#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation
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Port of Charleston 

Magnificent evening photograph shared to us from the Port of Charleston.

Have a great weekend ILA sisters and brothers!!
Stay Safe! 
God Bless You and Your Families! 

#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation

10 CommentsComment on Facebook

The all ILA terminal in Charleston. Also the most productive terminal in Charleston as well!

ILA 1422 Stronger Together!! The Future is Ours💪🏿💪🏿!! New S.C. on the Horizon 👊🏿!!! Union Strong 💯✊🏿✊🏿!!!

Any word on the book’s opening up?

1422 ⚓️

1422 💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾

1422

Beautiful

Y'all give me a job

Home!

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Liberty House
Jersey City, NJ

ILA LEADERS COME TOGETHER TO GIVE BACK AT THE MO’HAIR FOUNDATION’S ANNUAL GALA IN JERSEY CITY, NJ

The International Longshoremen’s Association has a long, storied history of giving back to the less fortunate at their port communities and surrounding areas.
Last night was no different as ILA delegates and members attended the Annual Mo’Hair Foundation Gala at the Liberty House in Jersey City, NJ.
We are proud to recognize and honor the sponsors of this event:
ILA International
Atlantic Coast District
ILA Local 1804-1
ILA Local 1588

In photograph, left to right, are:
Dennis A. Daggett, ILA International Executive Vice President/ILA Local 1804-1 President
Billy Hartigan, ILA Local 1804-1 Business Agent/ITF
Isaias Franco, ILA Local 1588
Virgil Maldonado, ILA International Vice President/ILA Local 1588 President
Will Sampson, ILA Local 1588/NJ State Assemblyman

#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation
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Liberty House
Jersey City, NJ

ILA LEADERS COME TOGETHER TO GIVE BACK AT THE MO’HAIR FOUNDATION’S ANNUAL GALA IN JERSEY CITY, NJ

The International Longshoremen’s Association has a long, storied history of giving back to the less fortunate at their port communities and surrounding areas.
Last night was no different as ILA delegates and members attended the Annual Mo’Hair Foundation Gala at the Liberty House in Jersey City, NJ. 
We are proud to recognize and honor the sponsors of this event:
ILA International 
Atlantic Coast District 
ILA Local 1804-1 
ILA Local 1588 

In photograph, left to right, are:
Dennis A. Daggett, ILA International Executive Vice President/ILA Local 1804-1 President
Billy Hartigan, ILA Local 1804-1 Business Agent/ITF
Isaias Franco, ILA Local 1588 
Virgil Maldonado, ILA International Vice President/ILA Local 1588 President 
Will Sampson, ILA Local 1588/NJ State Assemblyman 

#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation

6 CommentsComment on Facebook

Very Handsome ILA men ..

Great picture of some really great men!

Great crew right there!!

Smoothe Gentlemen (ILA STRONG 💪🏽)

Nice

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Liberty House

Please join us in congratulating ILA International Executive Assistant Mary-Elizabeth Jaeger as she is the 2026 recipient of the Mo’Hair Foundation “Men and Women of Distinction Award.”

CONGRATULATIONS SISTER MARY-ELIZABETH JAEGER!

#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation
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Liberty House 

Please join us in congratulating ILA International Executive Assistant Mary-Elizabeth Jaeger as she is the 2026 recipient of the Mo’Hair Foundation “Men and Women of Distinction Award.”

CONGRATULATIONS SISTER MARY-ELIZABETH JAEGER!

#InternationalLongshoremensAssociationImage attachmentImage attachment+Image attachment

26 CommentsComment on Facebook

Congratulations. Well deserved. 🎉🎉👏🏻👏🏻

Congratulations!!

Nice work…. Congratulations 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

Congratulations!!So proud of you. 👏 🎈🎉❤️

Mary Congratulations 👏👏

🙌🏽💪🏽🩷⚓🙌🏽 1402

Congratulations Mary 🎉👏

Congratulations 🎉🎊

Congratulations Mary!!!

Congratulations

Congratulations!!!

Congratulations Mary!!!

Congratulations!

Congratulations 🎉🎊

Congratulations 👏👏

Congratulations Mary!!!!

Congratulations!

Congratulations!!

Congratulations

Congratulations Mary!

Congratulations

Congratulations, so well deserved!!!

Congratulations

Congratulations Mary 👏

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Liberty House
Jersey City, NJ

ILA Executive Assistant Mary-Elizabeth Jaeger proudly stands with her husband Todd Milliken and daughters Justine Palanchi and Devyn McDonnell on the night she was honored as the recipient of the Mo’Hair Foundation “Men and Women of Distinction Award” at their Gala on Thursday, June 11, 2026 at the Liberty House in Jersey City, NJ.

CONGRATULATIONS!!

#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation
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Liberty House
Jersey City, NJ

ILA Executive Assistant Mary-Elizabeth Jaeger proudly stands with her husband Todd Milliken and daughters Justine Palanchi and Devyn McDonnell on the night she was honored as the recipient of the Mo’Hair Foundation “Men and Women of Distinction Award” at their Gala on Thursday, June 11, 2026 at the Liberty House in Jersey City, NJ. 

CONGRATULATIONS!!

#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation

14 CommentsComment on Facebook

Congratulations. Well deserved. 👏🏻👏🏻

Great picture! Well deserved,Mary! Love you 🤗

Congrats to ya Ma’am

Congrats Mary!!!

Congratulations!

Congratulations 🎉🎊

Congratulations 🎉

Congratulations 🎊

Congratulations!! ❤️

Congratulations 🎈🎊🎉

Congratulations 🎉

Go Union

Congratulations ❤

Congratulations 👏

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2 CommentsComment on Facebook

Love it

ILA’s Mary-Elizabeth Jaeger To Be Honored On Thursday, June 11th At 2026 Mo’Hair Foundation “Men and Women of Distinction Fundraising Gala”, Held At Jersey City’s Liberty House

NORTH BERGEN, NJ (June 10, 2026) The Mo’Hair Foundation, a unique and loving charitable foundation whose mission is to provide services to women, men and children in the tri-state area who suffer from hair loss due to various medical conditions, will honor Mary-Elizabeth Jaeger, the ILA’s Assistant Controller and Executive Assistant to the International President, with the “Men and Women of Distinction Award” at their 2026 Gala, scheduled for Thursday, June 11th, 2026 at 6 PM and held at the exclusive Libert House in Jersey City, New Jersey.
“We are so proud of Mary Jaeger and grateful to the Mo’Hair Foundation for recognizing her with their ‘Woman of Distinction’ Award,” said International President Harold J. Daggett. “I am blessed that Mary is my beautiful niece, but also an important part of our ILA’s International staff. Mary continues a long tradition of the Daggett family’s involvement with the ILA.”
Mary Jaeger is a fourth-generation member of the ILA. Her late father, Richard Charles Jager, was a career ILA longshoreman with Local 1804-1. Her late mother, Bettejane, Dorothy Jager was the sister of current International President Daggett.
Mary Jaeger joined the ILA in August 2018, as Assistant Controller. She was instrumental in modernizing many financial data systems for the ILA. She played a major role assisting the ILA’s President, Secretary-Treasurer, and ILA Controller with the 2019 and 2023 International Quadrennial Conventions. She will oversee all housing for ILA delegates, family and guests at the upcoming 2027 International and Atlantic Coast District Conventions in Hollywood, Florida.
She belongs to ILA Local 512, where she was unanimously elected Vice President/Recording Secretary in October 2025.
Mary Jaeger is married to Todd Milliken, and the couple reside in Sparta, New Jersey. She is the proud mother of two daughters, Justine and Devyn, who have followed in their mother’s footsteps as fifth-generation ILA members. For more than a year, Mary Jaeger has enjoyed her most cherished occupation – as grandmother to Emersyn Elizabeth.
In her spare time, Mary Jaeger enjoys Pilates; traveling and attending musical concerts.
A capacity crowd is expected at the Liberty House for the 2026 Gala. In addition to Mary Jaeger, other honorees include: Nancy Aleman; Tami Weaver-Henry; Madeline Fiadini Lore; Joel Morales; and Akbar Prey.
Operation under the motto of “Uplifting the lives of those we serve,” the Mo’ Hair Foundation, Inc. a 501c3, nonprofit organization based in New Jersey that provides complimentary nonsurgical hair replacements to adults and children that are experiencing hair loss due to all medical conditions.
A licensed master hairstylist with decades of experience, Monique Smith-Andrews founded the Mo’ Hair Foundation, Inc., in 2008 to honor and pay tribute to her beloved mother, Josephine Smith, who courageously battled cancer and experienced hair loss during her treatment. What started as a personal tribute became a powerful mission to bless others, restore self-esteem and to make one feel whole again.
"As a Hairstylist, I’ve seen the emotional toll how hair loss can take on an individual. My calling is to bless others walking in this journey with dignity, beauty, self-esteem, and blessing individuals with 100% human wigs, because they deserve to feel like themselves again," Monique Smith-Andrews said
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ILA’s Mary-Elizabeth Jaeger To Be Honored On Thursday, June 11th At 2026 Mo’Hair Foundation “Men and Women of Distinction Fundraising Gala”, Held At Jersey City’s Liberty House

 NORTH BERGEN, NJ (June 10, 2026) The Mo’Hair Foundation, a unique and loving charitable foundation whose mission is to provide services to women, men and children in the tri-state area who suffer from hair loss due to various medical conditions, will honor Mary-Elizabeth Jaeger, the ILA’s Assistant Controller and Executive Assistant to the International President, with the “Men and Women of Distinction Award” at their 2026 Gala, scheduled for Thursday, June 11th, 2026 at 6 PM and held at the exclusive Libert House in Jersey City, New Jersey.
 “We are so proud of Mary Jaeger and grateful to the Mo’Hair Foundation for recognizing her with their ‘Woman of Distinction’ Award,” said International President Harold J. Daggett.  “I am blessed that Mary is my beautiful niece, but also an important part of our ILA’s International staff.  Mary continues a long tradition of the Daggett family’s involvement with the ILA.”
 Mary Jaeger is a fourth-generation member of the ILA.  Her late father, Richard Charles Jager, was a career ILA longshoreman with Local 1804-1.  Her late mother, Bettejane, Dorothy Jager was the sister of current International President Daggett.
 Mary Jaeger joined the ILA in August 2018, as Assistant Controller.  She was instrumental in modernizing many financial data systems for the ILA.  She played a major role assisting the ILA’s President, Secretary-Treasurer, and ILA Controller with the 2019 and 2023 International Quadrennial Conventions.  She will oversee all housing for ILA delegates, family and guests at the upcoming 2027 International and Atlantic Coast District Conventions in Hollywood, Florida.
 She belongs to ILA Local 512, where she was unanimously elected Vice President/Recording Secretary in October 2025.
 Mary Jaeger is married to Todd Milliken, and the couple reside in Sparta, New Jersey.  She is the proud mother of two daughters, Justine and Devyn, who have followed in their mother’s footsteps as fifth-generation ILA members.  For more than a year, Mary Jaeger has enjoyed her most cherished occupation – as grandmother to Emersyn Elizabeth.
 In her spare time, Mary Jaeger enjoys Pilates; traveling and attending musical concerts.
 A capacity crowd is expected at the Liberty House for the 2026 Gala.  In addition to Mary Jaeger, other honorees include:  Nancy Aleman; Tami Weaver-Henry; Madeline Fiadini Lore; Joel Morales; and Akbar Prey.
 Operation under the motto of “Uplifting the lives of those we serve,”  the Mo’ Hair Foundation, Inc. a 501c3, nonprofit organization based in New Jersey that provides complimentary nonsurgical hair replacements to adults and children that are experiencing hair loss due to all medical conditions.
 A licensed master hairstylist with decades of experience, Monique Smith-Andrews founded the Mo’ Hair Foundation, Inc., in 2008 to honor and pay tribute to her beloved mother, Josephine Smith, who courageously battled cancer and experienced hair loss during her treatment. What started as a personal tribute became a powerful mission to bless others, restore self-esteem and to make one feel whole again.
 As a Hairstylist, I’ve seen the emotional toll how hair loss can take on an individual. My calling is to bless others walking in this journey with dignity, beauty, self-esteem, and blessing individuals with 100% human wigs, because they deserve to feel like themselves again, Monique Smith-Andrews saidImage attachment

54 CommentsComment on Facebook

Mary Jaeger has been an amazing asset to the ILA’s International since day one… Thank you Mary for all you do at the offices’ of the ILA…your dedication to our union is as good as it gets!! Congratulations!! ILA PROUD

Congratulations and Thank you! I wish my sister was still alive to see this organization!! She discovered at the age of 24 that she had breast cancer. As a hair stylist, she wanted to help others too.

Congratulations Mary! You definitely deserve the award! So proud of you and happy for you! Love you much!🤗💋

Congratulations,Mary!!

Congratulations 🎉

Congratulations Mary! Well deserved 🎉👏

Congratulations Mary! Extremely well deserved with all your dedication and hard work! Looking forward to being there

Congratulations! Very well deserved! 

Great job Mary!! Well deserved you work so hard!!

Congratulations Mary!

Congratulations, my sweetheart. I’m so proud of you.

Mary !! Proud of your accomplishments. Congratulations! ✨

So proud of you Mary!! So well deserved Wish your Mom and Dad could witness this. Love you honey 🥰🥰🥰

Muchas felicidades Mary Jaeger! It is a great cause. Nobody knows what people with certain conditions go through loosing their hair. I have lupus and suffer alot with hairloss. I’ll be reading more about this foundation. Bravo for you. Hugs🙏🏼

Huge congratulations Mary! Hope it’s a wonderful evening. So well deserved! 💕

Congrats mary!

Congratulations

Congratulations

Congratulations Mary!

Congratulations!

Congratulations Mary Jaeger!!

Congratulations!

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