Wednesday, June 23, 2010 4:22 pm

Pictured from left to right (back row): Jennifer Duggin, Katie Simpson, Amy Ferrell, Lisa Baird and Judy Swann; front row: Mary Melton, Janet Dunning, Carol Davis, Janaé Daniels, Kelli Davis and Laurie Bowling. (Photo by Linda Winkles)

The newly organized Auxiliary Unit of the American Legion Post 279 in Woodbury held their first meeting June 17 with 11 senior members and one junior member joining.

The Unit also elected officers. The officers are as follows: President – Carol Davis; 1st Vice – Amy Ferrell; Secretary – Janaé Daniels; Treasurer – Judy Swann; Historian – Laurie Bowling and Chaplain – Lisa Baird.

The American Legion Auxiliary is the largest patriotic women’s service organization in the world, with nearly 1 million members. The purpose of the Auxiliary is to support the American Legion and its programs for veterans, young people and community.

The next Auxiliary meeting will be Thursday, July 15. Any woman eligible to become a member is welcome to the meetings. Dues to become a member are $15 for senior members (18 years or older) and $5 for junior members (anyone under 18).

To be eligible for membership you must be the mother, wife, daughter, sister, granddaughter, great-grand-daughter or grandmother or step-relative of members of The American Legion or deceased veterans who served in the United States Armed Forces during the listed wars. The wars include World War I (April 6, 1917-Nov. 11, 1918), Merchant Marines only eligibility (Dec. 17, 1941-Aug. 15, 1945), World War II (Dec. 7, 1941-Dec. 31, 1946), Korean War (June 25, 1950-Jan. 31, 1955), Vietnam War (Feb. 28, 1961-May 7, 1975), Grenada/Lebanon (Aug. 24, 1982-July 31, 1984), Panama (Dec. 20, 1989-Jan. 31, 1990) and Persian Gulf (Aug. 2, 1990-to cessation of hostilities).

For questions or you have an interest in the Auxiliary, contact Carol Davis at cldavis@dtccom.net or Amy Ferrell at aferrell@hughes.net