Message from the Auxiliary President As quickly as it began with a rap of the gavel – now the year that stretched before me is ending as you read this. I convey my deep gratitude to each of you for electing Dan Corbin to serve this year as The American Legion Department of Texas Commander. His innovative ideas and inspiring comments have been great motivators to all of us. As Texas Legion mem- bership is over 100%, it is obvious that with your help the Texas Legion has indeed “Spread the Word” and brought Legionnaires back to the basics of programs for the veterans and the Children and Youth of our state. Cmdr. Dan attended every VA Hos- pital Tour this year. He arrived early to visit with the hospitalized veterans and asked relevant questions of the Administrators. It has been a Great year for the ALA working with Commander Dan and visiting the events and posts around Texas with him and his wife, Linda. Thank you, Commander Corbin, for sharing this year as the ALA Served with a Song in our Hearts. We continue to strive for the triple digits in membership and again ask for your help. CONTENTS I thank each of you for your support, your assistance, your courtesies and your kind- nesses all year. It has filled my heart with memories that will live forever and I am Message from the grateful for having had this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to represent the Department Auxiliary President 1 - 3 of Texas American Legion Auxiliary as 12 – 13 President. July’s farewell song is Andy Williams’ “May Each Day”. The lyrics are: “May each day Chaplain’s Corner 5 in the week be a good day, May the Lord always watch over you. May all of your hopes turn to wishes and may all of your wishes come true… The weeks turn to months and Fifth Annual Allied Memorial the months into years, there’ll be sadness and joy, there’ll be laughter and tears…May Remembrance Ride 8 - 9 each day of your life be a good day and may all of your days be as lovely as the ones you shared with me this ‘year’ and good night.” Flag Retirement Ceremony Serving with a Song in my Heart, in the Spirit of Service not Self Held with Elks in Katy 11 For God and Country, Marty Peters 2012 – 2013 State President American Legion Auxiliary Department of Texas Do you have an article or Please allow me to present to all of you the American Legion Auxiliary Department of announcement for Texas State President for 2013 – 2014, Christine Trahan of Beaumont Unit 33: The Legion Times? On July 14, 2013, my year as the American Legion Auxiliary Department of Texas President will begin, I look forward to working together with the American Legion, the If so, please send all Sons of the American Legion and the Legion Riders. As my theme for Department submissions to is “Together We Can Make a Difference” and yes, we can make a difference if we all [email protected] work together as one. Isn’t it a wonderful thing that we’re all different? Each of us has strengths and skills to share. And when we link our individual strengths together, by the 20th of every month we’re invincible. The following is what we, the American Legion Auxiliary are about. and it will appear in the following issue (continued p.2) The American Legion Auxiliary Founded in 1919, the American Legion Auxiliary is the world’s largest women’s patriot- THE LEGION TIMES ic service organization. With a membership at nearly 800,000, local American Legion Auxiliary units have a strong presence in more than 9,000 communities nationwide. OLUME SSUE The American Legion Auxiliary’s mission is to support The American Legion and to V 94, I 12 honor the sacrifice of those who serve by enhancing the lives of our veterans, military, JULY 2013 and their families, both at home and abroad. For God and country, we advocate for veterans, educate our citizens, mentor youth, and Executive Director promote patriotism, good citizenship, peace and security. William West Mission Statement In the spirit of Service, Not Self, the mission of the American Legion Auxiliary is to Editor support The American Legion and to honor the sacrifice of those who serve by enhanc- F.G. Adams ing the lives of our veterans, military, and their families, both at home and abroad. For God and Country, we advocate for veterans, educate our citizens, mentor youth, and promote patriotism, good citizenship, peace and security. Send all correspondence and submissions to: Vision Statement The Legion Times The vision of the American Legion Auxiliary is to support The American Legion while becoming the premier service organization and foundation of every community pro- PO Box 140527 viding support for our veterans, our military, and their families by shaping a positive Austin, TX 78714 future in an atmosphere of fellowship, patriotism, peace and security. T: 512.472.4138 / F: 512.472.0603 A Legacy of Service Not Self is Born E-mail: [email protected] A group of 20 officers who served in the American Expeditionary Forces in World War I were asked to suggest ideas on how to improve troop morale. One officer, Lt. Col. Theodore Roosevelt Jr., proposed an organization of veterans, which we know today as The Legion Times assumes no The American Legion. The original purpose of The Legion was to “preserve the memo- responsibility for material ries and incidence of our association in the great war,” helping those who had served submitted and reserves the right to in foreign wars to reintegrate into their hometowns while still remaining connected to those with whom they edit any submissions. had served abroad. Editorial deadline is the 20th of every The Legion served as a support group, a social club and an extended family for former servicemen. After two planning caucuses held by a committee of officers who had the month for inclusion in the following confidence and respect of their military comrades, they designed a constitution to gov- month’s issue. ern the group and set up headquarters in New York City to begin work on its programs Subscription is included in the annual of relief, employment and Americanism. American Legion, Department of Texas After the formation of The American Legion, a dues. Contact the American Legion, number of women’s organizations wanted to Department of Texas for extra copies, become the official affiliation of The American or copies for non-legionnaires. Legion. The women who had served so faith- fully during the trying days of the war wanted to continue to serve. After careful consideration, The Legion Times the committee agreed that a new organization is the official publication of the should be made up of the women most closely associated with the men of the Legion, and that American Legion Department of Texas these women would serve with the Legion, in Member of: peace as they had in war. American Legion Press Association The committee decided to build a new organiza- Texas American Legion Press Assoc. tion from the ground up, so the Auxiliary could Texas Press Association. then carry forward the phases of Legion activities more suitably performed by women. The Legion Times is published online In less than one year, 1,342 local units of the Women’s Auxiliary to the American 12 times a year by the American Legion had been organized in more than 45 states. Legion, Department of Texas (continued, p. 3) 2 Purposes In fulfillment of our Mission, the American Legion Auxiliary adheres to the following purposes: • To support and advocate for veterans, active military and their families • To support the initiatives and programs of The American Legion • To foster patriotism and responsible citizenship • To award scholarships and promote quality education and literacy • To provide educational and leadership opportunities that uphold the ideals of freedom and democracy and encourage good citizenship and patriotism in government • To increase our capacity to deliver our Mission by providing meaningful volunteer opportunities within our communities • To empower our membership to achieve personal fulfillment through “service not self”. Values Our statement of values is predicated on the founding purposes: • Commitment to the four founding principles: Justice, Freedom, Democracy, Loyalty • Service to God, our country, its veterans and their families • Tradition of patriotism and citizenship • Personal integrity and family values • Respect for the uniqueness of individual members • Truthful open communication in dealing with the public and our members • Adherence to the adopted policies and rules For God and Country, Christine R. Trahan Department President 2013 - 2014 A TRIUMPHANT RETURN TO THE PHILIPPINES APR. 3 - 13, 2013 Visit the tropical island nation of the Philippines and explore the site of our military’s greatest defeat and later redemption, through MacArthur’s triumphant return. THE ALLIED INVASION OF NORMANDY MAY 31 - JUNE 8, 2013 Follow the story of the greatest invasion in history from England to France, visiting important points of interest along the way, including Omaha Beach. THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE JUNE 8 - 15, 2013 Follow the story of the greatest invasion in history from England to France, visiting important points of interest along the way, including Omaha Beach. RUSSIA: THE EASTERN FRONT AUG. 2 - 14, 2013 Delve into the dramatic military history of the Russian Front during World War II on this tour, where you will learn of the old and encounter the new. SICILY: THE RACE TO MESSINA SEPT. 19 - 27, 2013 Follow in the footsteps of Patton and his army while examining the landing areas and traversing the terrain on your own “Race to Messina.” SOUTHERN ITALY: THE BROKEN ROAD TO ROME SEPT.