Preamble

For God and Country, we associate ourselves together for the following purposes:

To uphold and defend the constitution of the United States of America; to maintain law and order; to foster and perpetuate a one hundred per cent Americanism; to preserve the memories and incidents of our associations during the Great Wars; to inculcate a sense of individual obligation to the community, state and nation; to combat the autocracy of both the classes and the masses; to make right the master of might; to promote peace and goodwill on earth; to safeguard and transmit to posterity the principles of justice, freedom, and democracy; to participate in and contribute to the accomplishment of the aims and purposes of The American Legion; to consecrate and sanctify our association by our devotion to mutual helpfulness.

The American Legion Auxiliary is the largest patriotic women’s service organization in the world, with nearly 1 million members. Affiliated with The American Legion, the Auxiliary is a veterans’ service organization with members in nearly 10,000 American communities. The organization sponsors volunteer programs on the national and local levels, serving veterans, their families and their communities.

Auxiliary members believe in the ideals and principles of America’s founding fathers and pledge to foster patriotism, preserve and defend the Constitution, promote allegiance to God and Country, and uphold the basic principles of freedom of religion, freedom of expression and freedom of choice. The Auxiliary embodies the spirit of America that has prevailed through war and peace and continues to stand firmly behind America today, as it did when the organization was first founded.

Initially, the Auxiliary was organized by concerned women who took on the day-to-day responsibilities of life when their male family members went across sea during World War I. Aware of the many fatherless families and the needs of returning veterans, Auxiliary women vowed to continue their supportive roles when the veterans of World War I founded The American Legion in 1919. Auxiliary members today are wives, mothers, sisters, daughters, granddaughters and great-granddaughters of these courageous veterans. Some members are veterans themselves.

The Auxiliary has conceived and implemented hundreds of programs for veterans, their families, young people and the community at large. Many programs have been expanded, creating commonly accepted institutions within the community and nation.

Auxiliary volunteers are the backbone of assistance in 171 VA Medical Centers. These volunteers not only provide diversion and entertainment for patients, but assist the hospital staff in physical and psychological therapy. There are more than 20 programs nationwide that receive support and financial aid from the American Legion Auxiliary, and the Auxiliary is a national co-sponsor of the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival.

The services of the American Legion Auxiliary directly and indirectly touch the lives of all Americans. With the philosophy of "Service, not Self," the American Legion Auxiliary develops a strong spirit of volunteerism in its members, who have joined together in the fellowship of giving to others.

2009-2010 OFFICERS

PRESIDENT:  Terry McElroy ~ Unit 117

1^st Vice President:  Debe Free ~ Unit 415

2^nd Vice President:  Diane Ruggiero ~ Unit 310

Treasurer:  Madeline (Kandy) Olsen ~ Unit 310

Secretary:  Bea Stoft ~ Unit 310

Historian:  Cathy Prins ~ Unit 109

Chaplain:  Evelyn Mack ~ Unit 58

Sgt @ Arms:  Michelle Elder ~ Unit 117

      President's Message     

Bergen County Ladies Auxiliary meetings are the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 7:30PM unless otherwise noted.

September 13, 2011  ~ Post 57 Waldwick

October 11, 2011  ~ Post 69 Carlstadt

November 8, 2011 ~ Post 142 Maywood

December 13, 2011 ~ Post 128 Teaneck ( Unit 117)

January 10, 2012 ~ Post 109 Rutherford

February 14, 2012 ~ Post 170 Rochelle Park

March 13, 2012 ~ Post 58 Englewood

April 10, 2012 ~ Post 153 Park Ridge

May 8, 2011 ~ TBA