Auxiliary Unit
Has Long Record of Outstanding Service
By Mrs. Amy Lee Coultas (Historian)
Perry County Unit No. 213 American Legion Auxiliary was organized March 20, 1922 with 103 “charter” members; all wives, Mothers, daughters, widows or sisters of World War I veterans. Of this membership, there are perhaps forty who have held continuous membership during the intervening years. A membership graph would show a stable membership with the “peak” reached in 1955 in a total of 757 members; the increase in number being due to increased numbers of eligible members following World War II and the Korean conflict.
Like every other American Legion Auxiliary Unit in the United States and its territories, the program is devoted wholly to service – “service for others” being their slogan in their widespread”, many sided activities carried on in almost 15,000 units.
The American Legion Auxiliary was’ formed for the purpose of aiding the American Legion in carrying out the great program of peacetime service to America, to which the American Legion is dedicated. All of its activities are designed to promote the work of the American Legion and to help the American Legion reach its objectives. Although often working independently on projects of its own, the Auxiliary has no purposes that are apart from the aims of the American Legion. It is in every sense an Auxiliary a helper to the American Legion, and its members serve side by side with the men of the American Legion in a spirit of unselfish devotion to the well-being of our country.
The basic organization of the American Legion Auxiliary is the local unit, such as our own Perry County Unit No. 213. Would that time and space permitted even a brief resume of this Unit’s activities during the more than 35 years of its existence, suffice it to say that Perry County Unit has always accepted the entire program on Department and National levels, and has consistently carried out that program year after year. The Auxiliary believes• that the principles and ideals upon which the American Republic was founded, and for which American blood has been shed, are still the cornerstones of our democracy, and should be .safeguarded for future generations.
Among the services rendered are the care of the disabled of World War I and II and the Korean conflict; the education and welfare of the children of the veterans who have given their lives or their health for our country; the securement of adequate National security against all possible enemies; the betterment and beautification of the communities in which we live; the avocation of a return to greater spiritual influence in the home and lives of our people; and a true spirit of fellowship and cooperation with all people for world development.
No organization of women in America or elsewhere is more desirous of peace than the million members of the American Legion Auxiliary. Having had members of their families in war service, or having served themselves, and having close personal contacts with the tragic results of ‘war through their wide program the women of the Auxiliary know well what war means.
Leadership of the local unit was first given to Miss Anna M. Raess, organizing president. In turn the following have served:
Mrs. Sarah (Husson) Cassidy; Miss Midge Birchler, (Emma R.) Miss Kate Paalz; Mrs. Ida Brune; Mrs. Hilda Zoercher; Mrs. Elma Butler; , Mrs. Amy Lee Coultas; Mrs. Selma Rossman; Mrs. Flossie Pyle;’ Mrs. Anna Coyle; Mrs. Mary Schlachter; Mrs. Opal Cunningham; – Mrs. Cordia (King) Foertsch; Mrs. Pauline (Byrd) Alvey;’ .Mrs. Grace Baldwin; Mrs, Bess Holtzman; Mrs. Edith Hagman; Mrs. Olivia Evrard; Mrs. Gladys’ .Skelton: Mrs. Ella Zellers; Mrs. Helen Birchler; Mrs. Selma Tableman; Miss Elda King; Miss Irma King; Mrs. Mabel Poehlein; Mrs. Louise Becker; Mrs. Carmen Hollander; Mrs. Jessie Hilgenhold: Mrs. Birdie Miles; Mrs. Althea Rohn; Mrs. Thelma Holtzman; Mrs. Margaret Kreisle; Mrs. Starr Schierholzer; Mrs. Mamie King; Mrs. Malinda Bruggenschmidt; Mrs. Anna Scheiber and Mrs. Mildred Hein. (From 1922 to 1957-58, inclusive).
District leadership has been given by Mrs. Minnie Franz; Miss Anna M, Raess, Mrs. Amy Lee Coultas and Mrs. Anna Coyle, with countless members having served on District and Department committees.
Mrs. Amy Lee Coultas has served on District and Department committees and is currently serving Indiana as Department President with Mrs. Louise (Moutschka) Becker as Department Music Chairman.
Perry County Unit has included junior members since its “charter” and for many years has led the entire National organization in Junior membership, the present enrollment being 118, and many times leading the nation in Junior activities.
Finally, the local Unit American Legion Auxiliary is proud of its 35 year record of service in Tell City and Perry County, and is happy to join in every endeavor for a memorable “Centennial” celebration-come Aug. 10-17-1958.
Tell City News, Friday August 8, 1958
Note: Mrs. Sarah (Husson) Cassidy listed maybe a typo, there was a Sarah Husson was a Sara Husson married to Burke Casper.