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The American Legion Auxiliary — Celebrating 100 Years

The national organization of the American Legion was formed in 1919 after the end of World War I, and was chartered in September of that year. Several existing women’s organizations wanted to become the official affiliate of the Legion, so during the American Legion’s first convention on Nov. 10, 1919, members and officials “birthed” the American Legion Auxiliary. At the Legion’s second convention in September 1920, the Legion sanctioned the Auxiliary.

Locally, Osmond’s American Legion Post 326 was organized in 1922. According to the Osmond centennial book, in April of 1923, the “Legion boys” thought they couldn’t do without the ladies and decided they should have an auxiliary. The American Legion Auxiliary Unit 326 was organized that year.

Leoma Fuelberth of the local Legion Auxiliary shared the following information published in a pamphlet entitled “Celebrating 100 Years of Making a Difference.” ————— The American Legion Auxiliary

The American Legion Auxiliary is the premier patriotic service organization, whose mission is to support the American Legion and 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.

Our motto, “Service, Not Self,” is and has been a consistent guiding light in everything we do. The work of the American Legion Auxiliary is driven by the realization of the high cost of freedom, and by our appreciation for those who have paid that price. Through the years, the American

Through the years, the American Legion Family has influenced considerable social change in America, won hundreds of benefits for veterans, helped military families through transition and produced many important programs for our country’s youth. As we look to the future, excited

As we look to the future, excited about the opportunities that lie ahead, we must not forget the path left for us to follow by those who have gone before. Today, we take up their torch to honor, support and help those who make our freedom possible. 1919

1919

Nearly five million Americans represented our nation in uniform during the First World War. Though America’s involvement in the long war was brief, we lost more than 115,000 soldiers to war and disease, and more than 300,000 others fell ill or were injured. When the guns fell silent on Armistice Day, there was no more fighting, but there were so many who needed help. There were few programs to address the needs of returning military.

Among those who wanted to respond to these urgent needs were several women’s organizations. On Sept. 16, Congress chartered the American Legion. At the first national American Legion convention in November, the American Legion Auxiliary was formed, joining those groups with the vision to reach out to veterans and their families.

In less than one year, 1,342 local units of the American Legion Auxiliary had been organized in 45 states.

The 1920s

The “Roaring Twenties” were a time of rapid growth for the United States in many ways. With the war now over, both the population and economy expanded, and peace seemed to be on the rise all around the world.

In 1921, the American Legion Auxiliary held its first National Convention in Kansas City, MO. As membership continued to increase, the delegates elected Edith Hobart from Ohio as the Auxiliary’s first national president. Her vision included helping establish a national hospital system for veterans to ensure they received the medical care they needed. She worked tirelessly with an eye on the future.

The American Legion Auxiliary adopted the poppy as its memorial flower in 1921, and in 1924, in conjunction with the American Legion, instituted the national Poppy Program to protect the memorial poppy from becoming commercialized by outside interests. Each year, members raise more than $3.5 million through the distribution of the symbolic red poppies to support active-duty military, veterans and their families.

The 1930s Things were very different from

Things were very different from the previous decade, as the Great Depression brought hardship across the country. Although the stock market crashed, the Auxiliary continued to grow stronger as we reached out to our heroes and their families, doing everything possible to meet their needs.

In 1934, junior membership was established, engaging the next generation to become members in the American Legion Auxiliary. In 1935, we launched a national radio broadcast, “The American Legion Auxiliary on the Air.”

In 1937, we made a significant investment in the future with the debut of the ALA Girls’ State program, one of the most respected and coveted experiential learning programs presented in the United States. The program epitomizes the ALA’s mission to honor those who have brought us our freedom through our enduring commitment to develop young women as future leaders grounded in patriotism and Americanism.

The 1940s

The new decade saw another war even more widespread and deadly than the one that gave birth to the American Legion Auxiliary. World War II claimed the lives of more than 400,000 Americans. Millions were mobilized for the war effort, including “Rosie the Riveter,” who played a crucial role in defeating the enemy. In 1944, we established a program for the rehabilitation of disabled veterans. With more than 600,000 military injured, there was an urgent need to help. In 1947, we expanded the ALA Girls’ State program by hosting the first ALA Girls Nation in Washington, D.C., and have every year since. This weeklong event gives two

This weeklong event gives two participants from each state a firsthand experience with practical insight into how the federal government works. Participants leave ALA Girls Nation with leadership lessons for life and an understanding of the fundamentals of U.S. government, along with the rights, privileges and responsibilities of citizens.

The 1950s

As the “Greatest Generation” started families and new lives, the American economy boomed once again. Suburbs grew up around cities filled with veterans and their children, providing a place for the rapidly-growing number of Baby Boomers to live. The American dream was alive and well, and there was hope in the air for many people after the twin trials of the Great Depression and World War II.

But peace wasn’t everywhere. Though much smaller than the previous two wars, the Korean War still saw 6.8 million Americans under arms once again. Tens of thousands were killed fighting against the spread of Communism.

Advances in medical care and technology meant that a number of those who would once have died from their injuries now survived, leaving them in need of rehabilitation and extended care.

The American Legion Auxiliary continued to work to help meet these needs. Members around the country contributed their time, talents and resources to touch the lives of veterans and help their families in difficult times.

The 1960s

One of the most eventful and turbulent decades in America’s history came next. The Sixties saw both great advances in technology such as the Apollo space program, and great loss with the assassinations of leaders like President John F. Kennedy, Senator Robert Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The Vietnam War proved to be very controversial, and protests against the war and draft rocked the nation, along with protests for racial equality and justice. At a time when many people

At a time when many people turned against our military, the American Legion Auxiliary was standing up to help them. President Kennedy encouraged

President Kennedy encouraged our people to “ask what you can do for your country,” and we did. We established the Auxiliary Emergency Fund in 1969 to assist members who suffer a significant financial setback as the result of an act of nature or other personal crisis.

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