American Legion Post 34 recruiting for local auxiliary

• (THOMAS WALLNER | THE GRAHAM LEADER) American Legion Post 34 Commander Stan Burnett (center) speaks to the group during a meeting held Saturday, April 27 at the Young County Warrior Ranch. During the meeting, officers were installed for the local organization. Shown from left to right are Post 34 Chaplain Bud Lowrance, Post Commander Burnett and Post Adjutant David Gann.

As one of the three arms of the American Legion organization, the American Legion Auxiliary serves many supporting roles. Members of Post 34 are looking to bring this support to Graham with the establishment of a local auxiliary.

American Legion Post 34 Commander Stan Burnett said the group is in the initial stages of establishing a local branch of the auxiliary in Graham. An informational meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 18 the Graham Chamber of Commerce meeting room with attendance from American Legion officers from the district and state expected.

Auxiliaries are located within 8,000 local communities in the country and in foreign countries. ALA membership is limited to grandmothers, mothers, sisters, spouses and direct and adopted female descendants of members of the American Legion.

Programs by organization include ALA Girls State and Nation, the Americanism Essay Contest and troop care packages.

High school students who complete their junior year are eligible for the ALA Girls State program where they learn about the political process by electing officials for all levels of state government. The participants are assigned to mock cities as either the “Federalist Party,” or “Nationalist Party.”

ALA Girls Nation is a week-long program that gives students entering their senior year of high school insight into how the federal government works. Two students are chosen from the ALA Girls State program to participate as “senators” and participate in a mock legislature where they submit bills and resolutions, participate in senate sessions and elect officials.

The Americanism Essay Contest teaches students the value of patriotism and what it means to be American. Students in third grade through high school seniors submit an essay with a different theme each year.

One student per division is awarded $50 and a $50 donation is made to the Children of Warriors National Presidents’ Scholarship fund.

“The endpoint with us is... helping a veteran, the reward of helping a child or youth (or) the reward of planting the seeds of Americanism in those that are around us,” Burnett said in April. “Americanism and national defense is under great threat. So how we combat that is by offering a different perspective.”

ALA sends troop care packages to show support for the nation’s military service members. Packages can include drink mix packets, healthy snacks, non-perishable and pre-packaged foods and a brief note to the recipient.

“The spirit and ability for Graham to care for others runs wide and deep,” Burnett said. “Let us continue to care for those who protect our freedom and liberties in both domestic and abroad locations.”

Veteran visits

Another initiative approved by the post Tuesday, June 25 was to make trips to visit local veterans. The members know of local veterans but not where they are located in Graham. Those who want to schedule a visit for a veteran can email txalpost34@gmail.com.

Visiting local veterans was an initiative of the post commander from the early discussions of revitalizing the post in Graham.

“If you’ve ever been around the American Legion... they get together and they do things for the benefit of the community, the youth and the veterans,” Burnett said in January. “With veterans the way that they are in today’s time, I believe that they really need some assistance. If nothing else, a pair of ears to listen to.”

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