by Jill Funke

Across the nation, women of varying ages assemble at meetings and carry out the functions of the American Legion Auxiliary. On the second Tuesday of every month, members of the American Legion Auxiliary in Larchwood hold their regular meeting. While some members are new to the organization, some of the ladies of the Auxiliary in Larchwood have been constituents of the Auxiliary for fifty and sixty years.

This year, Auxiliary member, Rita Lewis, celebrates an impressive sixty-three years with the group. Rita was born in Larchwood and lived in the area for most of her childhood. She lived in Long Beach, California for a while, building planes for the government which needed them for war efforts. Rita remembers that building the planes was hard work, but also recalls a feeling of satisfaction at being able to do her part to support her country. While she was living in California, Rita traveled to Oklahoma City to marry Robert Lewis, who was also from the Larchwood area. He had been attending aviation school and was preparing to be sent overseas to help fight in the war. When Robert returned to the United States, he wanted to farm so the couple relocated to the farm where he grew up and they had three children.

Rita joined the Auxiliary, but admits that she wasn’t always the most dedicated member. In those early days, meetings were held in the homes of members. Rita’s mother was always a devoted member, and encouraged her to stay with the organization. After her mother had passed away, a certificate was found that listed Rita as a cradle member of the Auxiliary, which shows how much Rita’s mother believed in the group. Over the years, Rita says that she enjoyed Auxiliary meetings as they gave her another opportunity to get together with her friends in the area. One of the best parts of being an Auxiliary member according to Rita is the chance to support soldiers and veterans. During times of military conflict, she sees how involvement in the Auxiliary helps members feel like they are contributing, and at the same time Auxiliary projects help people get their minds off missing the service men and women who are dear to their hearts. She also appreciates the other things that the Auxiliary does for the community.

After saying the Pledge of Allegiance, the American Legion Auxiliary Preamble is read aloud by all members at the beginning of each meeting. Members recite: For God and Country, we associate ourselves together for the following purposes: To uphold and defend the constitution of the United States of America; to maintain law and order; to foster and perpetuate a one hundred per cent Americanism; to preserve the memories and incidents of our associations during the Great Wars; to inculcate a sense of individual obligation to the community, state and nation; to combat the autocracy of both the classes and the masses; to make right the master of might; to promote peace and goodwill on earth; to safeguard and transmit to posterity the principles of justice, freedom, and democracy; to participate in and contribute to the accomplishment of the aims and purposes of The American Legion; to consecrate and sanctify our association by our devotion to mutual helpfulness.

On a national level, nearly 1 million members make the American Legion Auxiliary the largest patriotic women’s service organization in the world. It might be surprising to know that the Auxiliary raises more than eighteen million dollars annually that is reinvested in the country’s VA medical centers as well as community programs. By entertaining and amusing patients, and assisting hospital staff deliver various therapy services, and help in clerical and other duties, Auxiliary members are considered the backbone of assistance in VA medical centers. In addition, Auxiliary members spend thousands of hours in crime prevention efforts as well as providing youth, the elderly the public at large with safety and personal protection instruction. These activities illustrate the Auxiliary mission statement, which is to support the American Legion programs for veterans, young people, and community; to provide for today’s needs while being advocates for a brighter future; to advance the understanding of patriotism and responsibility of citizenship; and to promote individual integrity and family values.