Auxiliary FAQs

Thirteen Questions About the American Legion Auxiliary

1. What is the primary purpose of the Auxiliary Organization?.

The first words of the Auxiliary preamble are "For God and Country." Members believe in the ideals and basic principles .. freedom of religion, expression, and choice .. of America's founding fathers and pledge to foster patriotism, and to preserve and defend the Constitution. Auxiliary programs were created to provide assistance, education and financial support for veterans and their families. In the community, the Auxiliary focuses on helping to create a better society, particularly for the nation's citizens of the future, our children and young people.

2. What are some of the Auxiliary's major programs?

Americanism

Americanism Youth Conference

Spirit of Youth Foundation

Flag Etiquette and Citizenship Programs

Children & Youth

Substance Abuse Prevention

Crisis Invention and Family Support

Child Safety

Community Service

Blood Drives/First Aid/CPR Training

Help for the Homeless

Environmental Protection/Community Beautification

Crime Prevention/Neighborhood Watch Programs

Emergency/Disaster Relief

Education

Literacy Programs

Scholarships and Grants

Leadership Training and Seminars

Girls State/Girls Nation

Legislative: Support for Veterans Programs

National Security

Awareness Forums and Seminars

USO

Disaster Prevention and Relief

The Poppy Program

Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation

Hospital and Hospice Volunteer Program

Field and Home Service Programs

VolunTeens

3. What is the relationship between the American Legion and the American Legion Auxiliary?

The Auxiliary is a part of the Legion family of service affiliates which also includes the Sons of the American Legion. Local Units are usually but not always affiliated with an American Legion Post and support Legion- sponsored activities through volunteer and fundraising activities. Most programs complement Legion programs; however the Auxiliary has expanded and initiated others to meet the special needs of women and their families.

4. What is the difference between the Auxiliary and other veterans organizations?

Although not the first such organizations, it is the largest patriotic women's service organization in the world. Affliated with The American Legion and chartered by Congress in 1920, the Auxiliary is the only veterans' service organization with volunteer representation in all VA Medical Centers. Nearly one million members provide a varied resource pool of ability, talent and leadership experience.

5. Who can Join?

Membership is open to female veterans and to the wives, sisters, daughter, granddaughters or great-granddaughters of American Legion members or deceased veterans who served in the Armed Forces during World Wars I and II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, Grenada/Lebanon, Panama and Persian Gulf War. (Eligibility also applies to step-relatives)

6. What do Auxiliary members have in common?

Auxiliary volunteers are of all ages and walks of life, who are service-oriented with a variety of outside interests, activities in other community, religious and fraternal organizations.They are patriots and share a deep concern for their fellow man, great compassion for those in need as well as personal responsibility and commitment to God, country and community. Their primary goals are to serve our veterans, to safeguard and nurture our nation's children and to educate all citizens about the benefits, privileges and responsibilities of American citizenship.

7. What are the advantages of Auxiliary membership?

This is a highly visible organization with many proud years of service to veterans and the nation's communities. In addition, there are several tangible membership benefits: receive a complimentary subscription to the Auxiliary's bi-monthly publication, National News; special MasterCard and money-market investment plans; free travel and accident insurance; low-cost life and health insurance coverage; and discounts on interstate moves, eye-glasses, hearing aids, prescriptions and rental cars.

8. What types of membership are available?

Applications can be obtained from local Units, Department offices or National Headquarters. Members can renew their membership annually or purchase a lifetime membership "VIM" (Very Important Member). Many women veterans are members of both The American Legion and the Auxiliary.

9. Where will new members come from?

The Auxiliary continues to look for new Auxiliary volunteers who are willing to do the important work of the Auxiliary. There currently exists a potential of 3 to 4 times the number of Auxiliary volunteers if every eligible female family member of American Legion members were to join.

10. How did the Auxiliary support American servicemen and women during the Persian Gulf War?

Many service families needed help to cope with the emotional and financial burdens caused by the sudden separation and disruption to their lives. The American Legion and Auxiliary pledged their support of the families of the American servicemen and women (active duty and reserves) while they served overseas through the Family Support Network, a national emergency assistance program in which military families can call a toll-free number.

11. The homeless veteran issue is a big problem in America. What great strides does the Auxiliary plan to make in this area?

An estimated 150 to 250 thousand veterans are homeless on a nightly basis and according to an annual survey of cities conducted by the U.S. Confernece of Mayors, 16% of the homeless population are veterans. Our members know that they can't expect to eliminate the homeless problem with the support that they can offer, but that by working together with other organizations dedicated to the same cause, they can hope to improve the situation.

12. What kinds of services does the Auxiliary provide for homeless veterans?

Auxiliary volunteers across the nation offer their support to homeless veterans in a variety of ways, depending on the preference of individual Units and the needs of particular communities. Many local Units and individual members work closely with other organizations in their community and volunteer time and/or financial support to local shelters, coordinate or participate in food or clothing drives and serve as a referral service to the homeless veterans.

13. What is teen court and how does it work?

Teen court is a cooperative, volunteer community program which provides an alternative to the formal process of trial and sentencing for juvenile offenders. Young people (aged 10 through high school), who have committed certain misdemeanor crimes such as traffic tickets, shoplifting, truancy, drinking, drugs, assault and others, agree to meet with local authorities and parents. They assume responsibility for their own actions and voluntarily accept a sentence from a jury of their peers. The sentence is a contract to serve a suitable amount of time in volunteer or community service or to make some kind of appropriate restitution for their offense. Upon completion of the sentence, the referring agency dismisses charges against the youth. Auxiliary Units across the nation are working to initiate this type of program by contacting and meeting with local agencies and working cooperatively wherever needed.

**Thirteen Questions About the American Legion Auxiliary**
1. What is the primary purpose of the Auxiliary Organization?.
The first words of the Auxiliary preamble are "For God and Country." Members believe in the ideals and basic principles .. freedom of religion, expression, and choice .. of America's founding fathers and pledge to foster patriotism, and to preserve and defend the Constitution. Auxiliary programs were created to provide assistance, education and financial support for veterans and their families. In the community, the Auxiliary focuses on helping to create a better society, particularly for the nation's citizens of the future, our children and young people.
2. What are some of the Auxiliary's major programs?
Americanism Americanism Youth Conference Spirit of Youth Foundation Flag Etiquette and Citizenship Programs Children & Youth Substance Abuse Prevention Crisis Invention and Family Support Child Safety Community Service Blood Drives/First Aid/CPR Training Help for the Homeless Environmental Protection/Community Beautification Crime Prevention/Neighborhood Watch Programs Emergency/Disaster Relief Education Literacy Programs Scholarships and Grants Leadership Training and Seminars Girls State/Girls Nation Legislative: Support for Veterans Programs National Security Awareness Forums and Seminars USO Disaster Prevention and Relief The Poppy Program Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Hospital and Hospice Volunteer Program Field and Home Service Programs VolunTeens
3. What is the relationship between the American Legion and the American Legion Auxiliary?
The Auxiliary is a part of the Legion family of service affiliates which also includes the Sons of the American Legion. Local Units are usually but not always affiliated with an American Legion Post and support Legion- sponsored activities through volunteer and fundraising activities. Most programs complement Legion programs; however the Auxiliary has expanded and initiated others to meet the special needs of women and their families.
4. What is the difference between the Auxiliary and other veterans organizations?
Although not the first such organizations, it is the largest patriotic women's service organization in the world. Affliated with The American Legion and chartered by Congress in 1920, the Auxiliary is the only veterans' service organization with volunteer representation in all VA Medical Centers. Nearly one million members provide a varied resource pool of ability, talent and leadership experience.
5. Who can Join?
Membership is open to female veterans and to the wives, sisters, daughter, granddaughters or great-granddaughters of American Legion members or deceased veterans who served in the Armed Forces during World Wars I and II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, Grenada/Lebanon, Panama and Persian Gulf War. (Eligibility also applies to step-relatives)
6. What do Auxiliary members have in common?
Auxiliary volunteers are of all ages and walks of life, who are service-oriented with a variety of outside interests, activities in other community, religious and fraternal organizations.They are patriots and share a deep concern for their fellow man, great compassion for those in need as well as personal responsibility and commitment to God, country and community. Their primary goals are to serve our veterans, to safeguard and nurture our nation's children and to educate all citizens about the benefits, privileges and responsibilities of American citizenship.
7. What are the advantages of Auxiliary membership?
This is a highly visible organization with many proud years of service to veterans and the nation's communities. In addition, there are several tangible membership benefits: receive a complimentary subscription to the Auxiliary's bi-monthly publication, National News; special MasterCard and money-market investment plans; free travel and accident insurance; low-cost life and health insurance coverage; and discounts on interstate moves, eye-glasses, hearing aids, prescriptions and rental cars.
8. What types of membership are available?
Applications can be obtained from local Units, Department offices or National Headquarters. Members can renew their membership annually or purchase a lifetime membership "VIM" (Very Important Member). Many women veterans are members of both The American Legion and the Auxiliary.
9. Where will new members come from?
The Auxiliary continues to look for new Auxiliary volunteers who are willing to do the important work of the Auxiliary. There currently exists a potential of 3 to 4 times the number of Auxiliary volunteers if every eligible female family member of American Legion members were to join.
10. How did the Auxiliary support American servicemen and women during the Persian Gulf War?
Many service families needed help to cope with the emotional and financial burdens caused by the sudden separation and disruption to their lives. The American Legion and Auxiliary pledged their support of the families of the American servicemen and women (active duty and reserves) while they served overseas through the Family Support Network, a national emergency assistance program in which military families can call a toll-free number.
11. The homeless veteran issue is a big problem in America. What great strides does the Auxiliary plan to make in this area?
An estimated 150 to 250 thousand veterans are homeless on a nightly basis and according to an annual survey of cities conducted by the U.S. Confernece of Mayors, 16% of the homeless population are veterans. Our members know that they can't expect to eliminate the homeless problem with the support that they can offer, but that by working together with other organizations dedicated to the same cause, they can hope to improve the situation.
12. What kinds of services does the Auxiliary provide for homeless veterans?
Auxiliary volunteers across the nation offer their support to homeless veterans in a variety of ways, depending on the preference of individual Units and the needs of particular communities. Many local Units and individual members work closely with other organizations in their community and volunteer time and/or financial support to local shelters, coordinate or participate in food or clothing drives and serve as a referral service to the homeless veterans.
13. What is teen court and how does it work?
Teen court is a cooperative, volunteer community program which provides an alternative to the formal process of trial and sentencing for juvenile offenders. Young people (aged 10 through high school), who have committed certain misdemeanor crimes such as traffic tickets, shoplifting, truancy, drinking, drugs, assault and others, agree to meet with local authorities and parents. They assume responsibility for their own actions and voluntarily accept a sentence from a jury of their peers. The sentence is a contract to serve a suitable amount of time in volunteer or community service or to make some kind of appropriate restitution for their offense. Upon completion of the sentence, the referring agency dismisses charges against the youth. Auxiliary Units across the nation are working to initiate this type of program by contacting and meeting with local agencies and working cooperatively wherever needed.

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