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.
| Mary Lyles Dept. Historian 2007-2008 |
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. |
ISN’T IT GREAT TO BE AN
AMERICAN?
Didn’t we learn a lot of stuff
and have a good time at the
Area/District Conferences? It
surely was nice to see all of
you who attended and
brought such wonderful
reports.
All of our units have been
busy and have done many
wonderful things this
year…………and you need to
report it. Put it in your history
and scrapbook and send me
some of this stuff for
President Madeline’s
scrapbook.
As of today I have received
seven reports. But listen up
folks, time is running out. By
the time you receive this, you
will have mailed your
Historian’s report, along with
all your other reports, and
you will be working on your
History and your scrapbook.
Remember, Historian
Reports are due to me May 1,
your Unit’s History due June
1, and you are to bring your
scrapbook to Convention in
July.
I look forward to seeing all y’
all soon!
For God and Country,
Mary
AMERICAN?
Didn’t we learn a lot of stuff
and have a good time at the
Area/District Conferences? It
surely was nice to see all of
you who attended and
brought such wonderful
reports.
All of our units have been
busy and have done many
wonderful things this
year…………and you need to
report it. Put it in your history
and scrapbook and send me
some of this stuff for
President Madeline’s
scrapbook.
As of today I have received
seven reports. But listen up
folks, time is running out. By
the time you receive this, you
will have mailed your
Historian’s report, along with
all your other reports, and
you will be working on your
History and your scrapbook.
Remember, Historian
Reports are due to me May 1,
your Unit’s History due June
1, and you are to bring your
scrapbook to Convention in
July.
I look forward to seeing all y’
all soon!
For God and Country,
Mary
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 Nancy (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
Dept. 2nd Vice President
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 Nancy (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
Dept. 2nd Vice President