The emblem of the American Legion Auxiliary is your badge of distinction and honor. It stands for God and Country and the highest rights of man. It consists of several parts, and each part has a meaning. The rays of the sun that form the background stand for the principles of the American Legion Auxiliary, for Loyalty, Justice, Freedom and Democracy; dispelling the darkness of violence, strife and evil. Unity and Loyalty are represented by the unbroken circle of blue. The field of white exemplifies the hope of Freedom. The star of blue is the emblem of service in war; it is no less the emblem of service in time of peace."
"The emblem of the American Legion Auxiliary is the emblem of Americanism. As members of the American Legion
Auxiliary, we must preach and teach principles of Americanism. Let us not forget that to each generation comes its
patriotic duty and that upon your willingness to sacrifice and endure as those before you have sacrificed and endured, rests the hope of the nation." - Unit Handbook of the American Legion Auxiliary, pg. 111.
When the American Legion Auxiliary was formed to support the work of The American Legion, one of its first acts was to adopt an Emblem similar to that of the Legion, yet distinctive and true to the work of the Auxiliary. Under this Emblem, the Auxiliary has worked with The American Legion in constructive service to country, America's veterans, children & youth, and community.
The American Legion Auxiliary Emblem represents substantial goodwill, which is an extremely valuable asset.
Eligibility
A woman who is eligible for membership in The American Legion is also eligible to join the American Legion Auxiliary.
The mother, wife, daughter, sister, grand-daughter, great-grand-daughter, or grandmother of members of The American Legion, and deceased veterans who served in the United States Armed Forces during the listed war eras.
On October 10, 1921, a group of ladies who were wives, mothers or sisters of members of the New Holstein American Legion Post #124 met at the New Holstein High School with the purpose of helping the Post with their projects and organize an Auxiliary to the Legion Post.
The unit meetings were held at the High School for a short period of time, then at the homes of members. From 1932 until 1947, the Legion Auxiliary and the Legion met jointly at the Calumet Club rooms. Because of crowded facilities caused by the increased membership of World War II veterans to the Post and the addition of new members to the Auxiliary, the arrangement had to be discontinued.
In May, 1922, the New Holstein Auxiliary realizing the symbolic meaning of the Memorial flower, "The Red Poppy," conducted the first poppy drive in New Holstein. Poppies are still distributed throughout the city during May which is Poppy Month. The proceeds of this nationally sponsored project are contributed in their entirety, to the rehabilitation of veterans and for the welfare of their families.
Some of the first money making activities were public sponsored card parties, quilt and handiwork (crocheted, knitted and craft items) raffles, bake sales, Christmas cookie sales and magazine drives. Money was used for community services. In the early years, the Post and Auxiliary would sponsor Christmas parties for all the children in the community. For many years, the unit collected toys, games and repaired and painted them as needed and distributed them to families in need.
The auxiliary's money making projects now are a Grocery Raffle in conjunction with the Legion's Poultry Party, a Bake Sale in conjunction with the Legion's Brat Fry and the Memorial Day Dinner.
In 1946, the Department of Wisconsin organized Girls State and the unit began sponsoring a high school junior class girl to attend Badger Girls State, a week long program first held at the University of Wisconsin, Madison and now at the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh. The New Holstein unit now sponsors five girls with different monetary contributors for each one.
When there was only one Veterans Hospital, the unit would collect food, clothing and many other items and send or deliver them to the hospital when requested. For years, they collected jams and jellies from the community, packed them in barrels with cartons of cigarettes donated by the Post and delivered to the hospital. After WWII, more hospitals were built in the area and it became easier to donate money to each facility where a volunteer representative would purchase the items needed.
In 1937, the Legion Post and Auxiliary began the practice of doing short military services at the Charlesburg, Marytown,and St Anna Cemeteries on Memorial Day. Later, several more cemeteries were added. The Firing Squad, Buglers and some Auxiliary members would arrive after the congregation's services and do a short ceremony. The Auxiliary would place a Memorial Wreath and offer poppies to the people in attendance. Now the group leaves early in the morning to visit the cemeteries and be back in time to lead a parade and conduct Memorial Services at the City Cemetery.
When the Legion Post began their plans to build a home of their own, the unit helped them with their money making efforts and furnished the kitchen when the building was completed.
The Auxiliary unit continues active in many community programs by volunteering and giving monetary donations.
Since 1958, the unit has sponsored a dinner on Memorial Day open to the public after the service at the City Cemetery.
We make yearly donations to Veterans organizations such as: Veteran's Creative Arts Festival, Children & Youth Emergency Fund, Veteran's Day & Christmas Cheer, Christmas Gift Shop, Camp American Legion, National President's Scholarship, Zablocki VA Hospital, Madison VA Hospital, VA Great Lakes Health Care System of Tomah, Wisconsin Veterans Home at King, M. Louise Wilson Educational Fund, Pillow cases for a military hospital in Germany, and send manufacturing coupons to military bases throughout the world. Other donations are made to Special Olympics, Support Military Families, National Auxiliary Emergency Fund, National Child Welfare, USO - Wisconsin, Fisher House, Children's Miracle Network - Milwaukee, Children & Youth Heart Pillows and Spinoza Bear.
Donations are made to the following community projects: Blood Bank:, Helping Hands Food Pantry, New Holstein First Responders, New Holstein Fire Department's Fireworks, Girl Scouts for camp, books donated to New Holstein Public Library in memory of deceased members, flags donated where needed, Relay for Life, and New Holstein Public Library Summer Reading Program
Monthly meetings are held at the Legion Memorial Hall on the 2nd Monday of each month at 7:00
