American Legion Auxiliary celebrates 90 years of service
The American Legion Auxiliary is celebrating its 90th anniversary as it continues to serve veterans on the homefront, their families and their communities. Like the American Legion, the American Legion Auxiliary prefaces its years of service "For God and Country." National Historian Joyce Arent is leading local units to record the achievements of their respective local units. The history of service of The American Legion Auxiliary will be compiled as a tribute to the many hours its members have volunteered — "For God and Country."
A milestone is defined as a significant event or point in development. Today, the American Legion Auxiliary recognizes both. The significant event they celebrate occurred during the first National Convention of The American Legion with the establishment of what is now known worldwide as the largest women's patriotic service organization — The American Legion Auxiliary.
In its first year of existence, the Auxiliary formed 1,342 local units. A network of 124,000 women was developed in just 365 days, before the advent of phone or Internet services. The veterans of World war I recognized the strength and power of an Auxiliary when they met at their first national convention in 1919. Without a doubt, today, Nov. 10, is a day worth celebrating. In fact, it kicks off a year of celebration that will be promoted across the country. Their 90 years of service will be remembered.
An example of how The American Legion and its Auxiliary work in unison is the annual Legion's Boys State and Boys Nation program and the Auxiliary's Girls State and Girls Nation program. Together they reach both boys and girls in a program of education of government at all levels — from the precinct level to the presidency.
Happy 90th Birthday to the American Legion Auxiliary.
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The annual National High School Oratorical Contest sponsored by The American Legion will kickoff with Kane County high school boys and girls competing at the first competition to be held at the Elburn American Legion at 7 p.m. Nov. 18. This is an early start and the winners will advance for competition in the 11th District and Second Division contests in early January 2010.
The orations are on the U.S. Constitution and are designed to educate the high school students on our Constitution and how it is applied to our daily lives. Scholarship awards are presented to the winners as they advance from local competition to state and national. For more information, call 630554-8296.
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A huge "thank you" for our city of Aurora reopening the David L. Pierce Art and History Center on Downer Place. Budget restraints closed the facility recently, but funding was found to reopen it. The story of Aurora men and women particiapting in all our major wars and conflicts have been displayed at the center as a reminder that our freedoms are not free, but must be earned and preserved by each succeeding generation.
Public Arts Director Rena Church will now continue to provide access to the museum with all its historical and modern art displays. Cheerful service by volunteer Evelyn Rackmeyer will again be found in the popular gift shop.
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The Mayor's Office of Special Events will remember our local military veterans serving on active duty at numerous stateside stations and many overseas locations with a 2009 Merry Christmas Gift. The gift this year is a box of mixed nuts. It is free, but the names and addresses of the military veterans must be made known to Sanura Young, events director, by phoning her at 630-844-4731 by Friday
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Wednesday is Veterans Day and Aurora will again have a parade kicking off at 10:15 a.m. from East Benton Street, marching north on South Broadway and then west on Downer Place to the GAR Memorial Building where Veterans Day ceremonies will be held. The Aurora community will once again recognize our Military Veterans of all our wars and conflicts with a traditional Veterans Day program.
Commander Norris "Doc" Erickson of Roosevelt-Aurora Post 84, The American Legion, will conduct the program and ceremonies. Commanders of Aurora veteran organizations — VFW, AMVETS, Marine Corps League, DAV and their Auxilaries — will report on deceased comrades and special events at their post homes.
Guest speaker for the event will be Joe Wiegand, who portrays President Teddy Roosevelt. Wiegand has performed nationwide and his performance will be most fitting to our Aurora Veterans Day program.
A combined firing squad of military veterans will give the traditional three-volley gun salute, followed by a bugler sounding TAPS. This will be done at 11 a.m. in recognition to the declaration of an Armistice ending World War I at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11 month in 1919.
Robert Mitchler is a retired state senator and was a military and naval aide to Illinois governors. His column appears twice monthly. To submit an item for Veteran's Corner, write Mitchler c/o The Beacon-News, 495 N. Commons Drive, Suite 200, Aurora, IL 60504.
