For the Record...A Page Dedicated to our History
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| Department of Mississippi |
American Legion Auxiliary
The Historian's page on this Web site will be dedicated to all of our members who have gone before
us. Since the Department of Mississippi's inception on May 29, 1922, ladies of the Auxiliary have
made their mark and have left us models to follow and ideals to uphold as we serve veterans, children
and youth, and our communities.
Needless to say, this page will be an ongoing project, adding more history as it is rediscovered. Your
input will be invaluable. Please contact the Department Historian with any information you can in
telling our story to its fullest.
us. Since the Department of Mississippi's inception on May 29, 1922, ladies of the Auxiliary have
made their mark and have left us models to follow and ideals to uphold as we serve veterans, children
and youth, and our communities.
Needless to say, this page will be an ongoing project, adding more history as it is rediscovered. Your
input will be invaluable. Please contact the Department Historian with any information you can in
telling our story to its fullest.
| Sarah Edwards Dept. Historian 2009-2010 |
Histories Aren't Hard--if you know how to get help!
Click here for some suggestions on finding information for your Unit's history.
Click here for some suggestions on finding information for your Unit's history.
Mississippi History Snippets
Aug. 5, 1920
The first Unit in Mississippi was formed, when 17 ladies of Jackson met to organize Henry H. Graves Unit 1.
Jan. 11, 1921
Records show the first Unit organized in Mississippi was in Brookhaven. Other Units organized in the same year included
Columbus, Louisville, Crystal Springs, Corinth, Friars Point, Holly Springs, Morton, Indianola, Charleston, Jackson,
Pelahatchie, Senatobia, and Tunica.
June 3, 1921
Mrs. G. S. Stovall of Vicksburg was appointed temporary secretary to organize the Department.
May 15, 1922
A call for organization sent to National President Mrs. Lowell F. Hobart.
May 29, 1922
Department of Mississippi was organized; Mrs. Stovall was elected President; 14 Units represented. Nine delegates
chosen for National Convention in New Orleans
Aug. 21-23, 1923
First Annual Convention (first official convention) held in Biloxi; Mrs. Rucks Yerger of Gulfport was elected second
President.
1924
Shortly after state convention, the Laurel Unit presented the Department a Mississippi State Flag, followed a few months
later by the Auxiliary Banner. Capt. Tom J. Grayson of Biloxi presented a regulation United States flag, in honor of his
daughter Betty Grayson, which completed the Department’s “Stand of Colors.”
1925
Because of membership gains, Mississippi had front row seats at the National Convention in Omaha, Neb.
1926
First record of District Presidents was recorded (eight in all). The Department was presented with a gavel, made by a
patient at the US Veterans Hospital #74 in Gulfport from the wood of a nearly 100 year old tree on the property.
National Convention held in Philadelphia, Penn. From the year’s history report: “For the first time, the Department took
active part in the National Parade, having a float, an automobile, and a number of marchers…attracting favorable
attention. At the ‘States Dinner,’ the Mississippi table attracted great attention because of its unique and original
decorations.”
“The work of 1926 was crowned by the Department winning the Oliphant Trophy, making first place in the renewals for
1927 membership by Jan. 1, 1927 (102% membership increase…the next highest nationally was 60.3%...thus
Mississippi has accomplished what no other Department has so far done.”
Poppies were first made by “uncompensated patients” at the Veterans Hospital in Gulfport, at the suggestion of Mrs.
Adalin Macauley, National President, following a visit to the facility.
Aug. 5, 1920
The first Unit in Mississippi was formed, when 17 ladies of Jackson met to organize Henry H. Graves Unit 1.
Jan. 11, 1921
Records show the first Unit organized in Mississippi was in Brookhaven. Other Units organized in the same year included
Columbus, Louisville, Crystal Springs, Corinth, Friars Point, Holly Springs, Morton, Indianola, Charleston, Jackson,
Pelahatchie, Senatobia, and Tunica.
June 3, 1921
Mrs. G. S. Stovall of Vicksburg was appointed temporary secretary to organize the Department.
May 15, 1922
A call for organization sent to National President Mrs. Lowell F. Hobart.
May 29, 1922
Department of Mississippi was organized; Mrs. Stovall was elected President; 14 Units represented. Nine delegates
chosen for National Convention in New Orleans
Aug. 21-23, 1923
First Annual Convention (first official convention) held in Biloxi; Mrs. Rucks Yerger of Gulfport was elected second
President.
1924
Shortly after state convention, the Laurel Unit presented the Department a Mississippi State Flag, followed a few months
later by the Auxiliary Banner. Capt. Tom J. Grayson of Biloxi presented a regulation United States flag, in honor of his
daughter Betty Grayson, which completed the Department’s “Stand of Colors.”
1925
Because of membership gains, Mississippi had front row seats at the National Convention in Omaha, Neb.
1926
First record of District Presidents was recorded (eight in all). The Department was presented with a gavel, made by a
patient at the US Veterans Hospital #74 in Gulfport from the wood of a nearly 100 year old tree on the property.
National Convention held in Philadelphia, Penn. From the year’s history report: “For the first time, the Department took
active part in the National Parade, having a float, an automobile, and a number of marchers…attracting favorable
attention. At the ‘States Dinner,’ the Mississippi table attracted great attention because of its unique and original
decorations.”
“The work of 1926 was crowned by the Department winning the Oliphant Trophy, making first place in the renewals for
1927 membership by Jan. 1, 1927 (102% membership increase…the next highest nationally was 60.3%...thus
Mississippi has accomplished what no other Department has so far done.”
Poppies were first made by “uncompensated patients” at the Veterans Hospital in Gulfport, at the suggestion of Mrs.
Adalin Macauley, National President, following a visit to the facility.
| Interested yet? Want to know more? Click here. |
This auxiliary year is fast
coming to an end. I hope
you have kept records of
all that you have done this
year so you can tell me all
about your year in your
history report. I know you
have been busy this year,
so be sure and send me
the report and if you have
any articles or pictures
please send them to the
scrapbook committee.
We want to present
President Angela with a
HEAVY scrapbook and a
history book filled with
memories of her year.
We all have been busy and
continue to work on our
projects and activities. In
the middle of what we
already are doing, don’t
forget to celebrate the
American Legion’s
birthday this month. Thank
your Legionnaires for all
their hard work and for
their service to our
country. If you have a
birthday celebration at
your post, please take
pictures.
I am asking the units to set
an area aside in you
auxiliary room or an area
in the post for your
Cavalcade of Memories. I
know there are members
of your unit that have
something to bring for your
Cavalcade of Memories,
and what a great way to
show your trophies and
awards from past years.
Keep up your good work in
your Units and record it. I
am looking forward to
receiving a lot of reports
this year.
For God and Country,
Sarah Edwards
coming to an end. I hope
you have kept records of
all that you have done this
year so you can tell me all
about your year in your
history report. I know you
have been busy this year,
so be sure and send me
the report and if you have
any articles or pictures
please send them to the
scrapbook committee.
We want to present
President Angela with a
HEAVY scrapbook and a
history book filled with
memories of her year.
We all have been busy and
continue to work on our
projects and activities. In
the middle of what we
already are doing, don’t
forget to celebrate the
American Legion’s
birthday this month. Thank
your Legionnaires for all
their hard work and for
their service to our
country. If you have a
birthday celebration at
your post, please take
pictures.
I am asking the units to set
an area aside in you
auxiliary room or an area
in the post for your
Cavalcade of Memories. I
know there are members
of your unit that have
something to bring for your
Cavalcade of Memories,
and what a great way to
show your trophies and
awards from past years.
Keep up your good work in
your Units and record it. I
am looking forward to
receiving a lot of reports
this year.
For God and Country,
Sarah Edwards
MISSISSIPPI MEMORIES--ALIVE AND WELL
Our Auxiliary memories are important enough to preserve for those that follow us. I have been working on our “history,”
trying to compile them in memory books for the Department office. And, I don’t want you to forget that this project is on-
going—so jump in anytime! If you have something to contribute—an old photo, a piece of memorabilia, etc.—and
wish to donate it to the Department, please let me or Tommie Stroud (Department Secretary) know.
As an organization, we’ve not done well in preserving our past. Let’s do something about it now, while we still can.
Feel free to bring me items to me at the Spring Area Conferences or State Convention. If you have photos, be sure to
identify those in the picture (if you know) on the back or attach a note to the photo. We have some great display
cabinets at the Department office for larger items.
And, lastly, I’m trying to scan all of the old photos we have and compile them on a compact disc. The plan is to make
of copy of the disc and file it with the Mississippi Department of Archives, like we’ve done with the histories.
If you have any ideas or suggestions, let me know as well. The more of you involved in the project, the merrier.
Thanks so much for your assistance!
Angela Kilcrease
Past Dept. Historian
Our Auxiliary memories are important enough to preserve for those that follow us. I have been working on our “history,”
trying to compile them in memory books for the Department office. And, I don’t want you to forget that this project is on-
going—so jump in anytime! If you have something to contribute—an old photo, a piece of memorabilia, etc.—and
wish to donate it to the Department, please let me or Tommie Stroud (Department Secretary) know.
As an organization, we’ve not done well in preserving our past. Let’s do something about it now, while we still can.
Feel free to bring me items to me at the Spring Area Conferences or State Convention. If you have photos, be sure to
identify those in the picture (if you know) on the back or attach a note to the photo. We have some great display
cabinets at the Department office for larger items.
And, lastly, I’m trying to scan all of the old photos we have and compile them on a compact disc. The plan is to make
of copy of the disc and file it with the Mississippi Department of Archives, like we’ve done with the histories.
If you have any ideas or suggestions, let me know as well. The more of you involved in the project, the merrier.
Thanks so much for your assistance!
Angela Kilcrease
Past Dept. Historian
