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American Legion Auxiliary

    Victory Unit #286, American Legion Auxiliary continues its programs of “Service to God and Country” founded upon the principles of Justice, Freedom, Democracy and Loyalty. Organized in June, 1921 with 14 charter members, only 1 remains living. She has been given a life membership in the Unit. There are 8 Gold Star members, those members losing a loved one during the wars, who also have their dues paid by the Unit.

    Rehabilitation, child welfare, Americanism and community service were early programs set by the American Legion Auxiliary and remain so presently.

    Rehabilitation includes the purchase of veteran made poppies for distribution at Memorial Day each year. Members assist the Legion Post in the decoration of the graves of World War I, World War II, Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War. In the year of the quasquicentennial, there were 96 graves marked with a cross, large poppy and flag. There were 31 G.A.R. graves marked as were 42 Auxiliary members remembered for service.

    Proceeds for the distribution of poppies is used for the programs to help the veteran and his family. Each year there are gift shops at the veterans hospital, so that veterans hospitalized may have gifts for their families at Christmas. The local Unit provides for gifts each year. Monies are also sent for canteen books and picture postcards. Each May, Victory Unit sponsors a recreation party at the Veterans Hospital, Iowa City, providing treats for several wards following an evening of games. A subscription to the local newspaper is also sent to Iowa City.

    Kensingtons were organized in 1922, sewing carpet rags for hospitals to make rugs as part of a rehabilitation project. Rugs are now made locally, with proceeds from rug sales used for rehabilitation programs. Kensingtons are held each month, April through October.

    A book is presented to the Zybell Memorial Library each Memorial Day, in memory of veterans losing their lives in battle. Each year servicemen from the area are remembered at Christmastime.

    Community Service projects include sponsoring bingo parties at the Clarence Nursing Home; also providing a subscription to the local newspaper for residents there. Contributions are made to the Clarence Volunteer Fire Department and the Recreation Fund of the young peoples’ program at the city park. Members have assisted the Cedar County Public Health Nurses in conducting annual blood pressure/diabetic screening clinics for the community of Clarence.

    Flying the flag of the United State rates high among members of the American …

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… Legion Auxiliary. Flags are available at all times. Poles and accessories may be ordered upon request.

    Many fine young girls have attended Iowa Girls State sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary. The Unit is allowed to send a girl every other year, by placing the Unit’s name on a reserve list, have been able to send a girl more often to learn the principles and processes of our form of government.

    Until this year, the Unit has sponsored an assigned child, providing either clothing or funds for clothing and shoes for a particular child in the home of a veteran until the child was through high school. This program has been changed by the Department of Iowa. Funds are still needed but the Unit will not have an “Assigned Child.” The Unit will continue to send funds each year for assisting with children in the homes of veterans.

    Special Olympics, Reye’s Syndrome, drug abuse, missing children, Halloween safety, are all programs backed by the Auxiliary.

    The Unit has an active Past Presidents Parley meeting every other month. This group provides gift enclosure, bookmarks and crossword puzzles for the Veterans Hospitals, also make lap robes and quilts. Monies from quilt sale are sent to department to assist the program of the veterans.

    Juniors were once an active program providing nut cups and favors for veterans’ hospitals and children’s home, but with the decline of young people, this program has been dropped.

    Monies from serving dinners, receptions and monthly bingo suppers are used to replace needed kitchen equipment, purchase tables and paid for the new flooring in the Legion Hall. Emergency lights were also installed at the hall, upstairs and downstairs, this past year. The group presented the Legion Post with a parade type United States flag used in various ceremonies by the Post.

    Membership in the year of the Quasquicentennial is 110. Victory Unit #286, American Legion Auxiliary, has given 63 years of service. The group will continue as long as there are veterans’ needs to be met.