West Liberty History 1838-1938

Source: One Hundred Years of History
* Commemorating a Century of Progress in the West Liberty Community * WEST LIBERTY, IOWA
AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY

In October, 1921, Mrs. May L. Myers was chosen to sign an application for a charter for an American Legion Auxiliary. Our unit was named for Mansell L. Phillips who was the first one from West Liberty to make the supreme sacrifice during the World War. He was the grandson of the late Noah Phillips.

Our first meetings were held in the Legion hall known as the Henry Polders flats, over the Polders Shoe store.

In December 1921 we held election of officers for the ensuing year 1922 and at this time Mrs. Myers was chosen president; Mrs. Susie Lewis, 1st vice president; Miss Roxie Brown, Secretary; Mrs. Esther Ellyson, treasurer; Miss Ethel Rock, chaplain; Mrs. Bertha Mosher, historian; the executive committee : Mrs. J. C. Nichols, Mrs. Eva Hime, and Mrs. Maud Schafer. Our charter was granted June 12th, 1922. On June 22 we were officially organized.

Our charter has 54 names on it; 19 of the original number are still members; eight of our charter members are deceased.

In the reception hangs the beautiful service flag made by Mrs. Cora Peters, past president of the Auxiliary, now deceased. There are 153 stars in this flag, each representing a youth who went from this community; also two crosses for the Red Cross nurses. On March 23rd,1918, this flag was sold at a Red Cross sale and brought $11,500.00. This flag was later presented to the Legion and Auxiliary by the Red Cross.

Each year we put on a poppy sale. In the year 1923 we instituted the street flag decorating system. In 1926 we donated $50.00 toward the pavement for the driveways in the Oakridge cemetery. In 1927 we placed a marker in our local cemetery for Elsie Davis, a World War nurse. On Memorial Day we place a white cross on each World War soldier's and nurse's grave and place a poppy wreath on it.

For the past two years we have been a Superior Unit, meeting all the requirements of the state for this rating.

At the present time we have the 1st District Secretary and Treasurer and County Vice Committee woman in our unit.

"If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep
Though poppies grow in
Flanders Field."

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