Thursday, June 3, 2010 4:20 am

The newly organized American Legion Post 279 in Woodbury is organizing an Auxiliary Unit. A meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 17 for women who are interested in joining the Auxiliary.

According to the Auxiliary brochure, 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.

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).

Dues are $15 per person and will be collected at the end of the meeting. For more information about the Auxiliary contact Lynda Winkles at lyndawinkles@bellsouth.net or Roxeanne Inyart at roxanne.inyart@va.gov.