Auxiliary group for American Legion Post 117 marks 100th anniversary
The American Legion Post 117 has been around since 1920, but its auxiliary group was founded in 1926, which created an arm of the organization that could help military veterans inside and outside of the post.
The legion’s auxiliary celebrated its 100th anniversary on Saturday, April 25, with a gathering at the legion, where members of the organization spoke and shared in fun food and dancing.
Linda Meinart, president of the American Legion’s auxiliary, said her past four years as president of the group has led to some of her “greatest accomplishments ever.” A lot of the money the auxiliary raises ends up being used to help or spread joy to people in the care of the VA Butler Healthcare facilities in Butler.
“We give people at the VA presents for Christmas,” Meinart said Saturday afternoon, as she was setting up the legion hall for the evening celebration. “We do a festival in July or August where we barbecue for them, help people with their bills.”
Meinart has been a member of the auxiliary since 2012, and got involved when the VA helped her own father, a military veteran who served during World War II. She said that while the VA has been a beneficiary of the auxiliary’s attention over many years, members of the group also help people and veterans with bills or other expenses should the need arise. It’s a relatively loose rubric, she said.
“If there is someone in need, we like to help,” Meinart said.
