The American Legion Auxiliary will have another reason to cheer when it celebrates its centennial this Sunday: expanding its membership to include male spouses of veterans.
The American Legion Auxiliary — originally called the Women’s Auxiliary to the American Legion — was founded shortly after the American Legion in 1919, according to the organization’s website. In 1921, members voted to drop the word “women’s” from the name, although it remained a women’s organization. Eligibility was originally open to grandmothers, mothers, sisters, spouses and female descendants of members of the American Legion.
“The auxiliary has had a record for being the largest women’s organization for veterans,” said Mary Greenwood, president of Auxiliary 22, which is attached to the Guyer-Carignan Post 22 in Lebanon.
Auxiliary 22 will have a chance to celebrate both its milestone anniversary and its expanded membership at its annual “Early Bird” dinner on Nov. 19.
The inclusion of male spouses in the auxiliary follows the expansion of membership eligibility periods that took effect in July, which opened the nonprofit organization to thousands more veterans. As a result, more people became eligible for the American Legion Auxiliary, the Sons of the American Legion and the Legion Riders.
While Auxiliary 22 has yet to have male spouses of veterans join, it’s a change the organization welcomes.
“I think it’s wonderful,” said Arlene Rutledge, the auxiliary’s first vice president. “I don’t think it’s a deterrent. We’re all here for our veterans.”
An auxiliary has been part of Post 22 since 1926, but it wasn’t officially chartered until March 17, 1947. Today, it has more than 300 members, who come from all over the Upper Valley. And that includes some who’ve moved away from the region but want to remain members.
“It stays pretty steady, and it has been growing,” said Greenwood, 64, of Plainfield.
Most members of the auxiliary joined because their spouses are veterans, although there is a decent percentage who joined because their fathers are veterans.
The auxiliary holds fundraisers to send girls to Girls State, a leadership and civics camp for high school juniors. They also give money to the veterans home in Tilton, N.H., and support programs at the White River Junction VA Medical Center. Every year, they assist with a USO show. Greenwood and Rutledge estimate that they raise more than $8,000 a year for Upper Valley and regional organizations and veterans.
While the auxiliary is associated with the American Legion, its has its own officers and makes its own decisions when it comes to fundraising.
“I think the biggest concern is people being active,” Greenwood said. The average age for members is in their 50s and people tend to get more involved as they near retirement. Younger members may be working full time while raising their families. “That obviously has to come first.”
In addition to fundraising, the auxiliary gives members an opportunity to bond under shared experiences.
“It’s about trying to work together,” Greenwood said.
“The family here is a family,” added Rutledge, 66, of Springfield, N.H.
It’s a family that they’re hoping to grow.
“A veteran is a veteran. A spouse is a spouse,” Rutledge said. “As an auxiliary, we’re supportive of all our members.”
Liz Sauchelli can be reached at esauchelli@vnews.com or 603-727-3221.
