The American Legion Auxiliary - Unit 175

8700 Bell Creek Road, Mechanicsville, Virginia 23116

Meeting on the 4th Tuesday of every month at 10:00 am

Join us for Coffee and Doughnuts every Tuesday from 9:00 am to 11:00 am

Visit with us, and let us introduce you to our group.

---

Unit 175 Officers

Fiscal Year 2025-2026 (01 July 2025 to 30 June 2026)

Leadership:

President - Fayth Heath, 540-809-2454
Vice-President - Janice White, 804-730-1775
Secretary - Lynn Barbour, 804-614-5085
Treasurer - Jeannie Rummel, 804-310-7200
Chaplain - Janice White, 804-385-5123
Sergeant-at-Arms - Dora Sydnor, 804-730-3440
Historian - Pat Edmunds, 804-401-3423
Membership - Lynn Barbour, 804-614-5085

Mission Statement:

In the spirit of Service, Not Self, the mission of The American Legion Auxiliary is to support The American Legion and to honor the sacrifice of those who serve by enhancing 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.

Vision Statement:
The vision of The American Legion Auxiliary is to support The American Legion while becoming the premier service organization and foundation of every community, providing support for our veterans, our military, and their families by shaping a positive future in an atmosphere of fellowship, patriotism, peace, and security.

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

Unit 175 Historical Background and Programs:

The Mechanicsville American Legion Auxiliary Unit 175 received its charter in July 1973 with 15 charter members.

The Unit is involved in a myriad of community projects. Here are some of our long-standing initiatives:

Girls State - We sponsor Junior year high school girls in this nationwide youth leadership development program

Fisher House - Providing free lodging for military families of wounded warriors (while the service member is hospitalized)

Disadvantaged Children - Providing backpacks and school supplies for elementary-age school children of lesser means

Veterans Assistance and Rehabilitation (VA&R) - Provide 'canteen' books, wrap gifts, and financially support the USO facility at Richmond International Airport. The Unit distributes poppies in May to fund VA&R projects.

We support the Department President’s project, the Creative Arts Festival, and the Auxiliary Emergency Fund.

We organize social events to improve communication and camaraderie among our Unit, the Post, Sons of the American Legion (SAL), and The American Legion Riders (ALR).

Join: Joining (legion-aux.org)

Become part of one of the largest patriotic service organizations in the world! We are the spouses, mothers, daughters, sisters, grandmothers, and granddaughters of veterans who served our great country during times of war. Some of us are veterans ourselves. You will find us here, there, and EVERYWHERE...

We are the American Legion Auxiliary. It's a Family Affair.

Auxiliary Members Participate in the Americanism Program

Members visited Battlefield Park and Laurel Meadows Elementary schools

to teach First Graders about the American flag

Janice White FamilyComesFirst

-----

ALA Nation Publication- In the Know

-----

What is coming for The American Legion Auxiliary?

GIRLS STATE

Girls State is a highly selective program designed for young women with above-average academic standing, outstanding character, and exemplary leadership qualities. Delegates to the ALA Virginia Girls State campaign for offices, vote in a mock election, and participate in a mock legislature. They participate in Patriotic activities and a community service project.

Scholarships are available, and an opportunity to be selected to attend Girls Nation in Washington, D.C.

Contact Elizabeth Navas for an application. elizabethnavas18@yahoo.com Deadline to register is April 1, 2026.

-----

SCHOLARSHIPS

Over the last few years, ALA175 has recognized a need to support our youth's furthering education, and we wish to help them get on their way with a $1500 scholarship. This scholarship may help with books, labs, tools, or other such items that could make their first year a little easier on the family. We have opened this scholarship to both traditional and non-traditional education, including trade schools and online education. We encourage all aspects of learning in our community.

Contact Elizabeth Navas for an application. elizabethnavas18@yahoo.com Deadline to register is June 1, 2026

___

Volunteer Day

Grab your garden gloves and roll up your sleeves as we beautify the future home of SSG Pearce. All volunteers will receive an HF0T T-shirt and lunch. This event will be held outdoors (rain or shine); please dress accordingly. Don't forget to RSVP! www.hfotusa.org/pearce For more information or to volunteer, please contact the Community Engagement Coordinator, Jocelyn Phipps, at jphipps@hfotusa.org or {508} 7895 3501 (call/text).

Poppy Day Remembrance 2026

Why Wear a Poppy

"Please wear a poppy, " the lady said,

And held one forth, but I shook my head
Then I stopped and watched as she offered them there,
And her face was old and lined with care;

"But beneath the scars, the years had made
There remained a smile that refused to fade.
A boy came whistling down the street,
Bouncing along on carefree feet.

"His smile was full of joy and fun,
"Lady," said he "may I have one?"
When she pinned it on, he turned to say:
"Why do we wear a poppy today?"

"The lady smiled in her wistful way
And answered: "This is Remembrance Day,
"And the poppy there is a symbol for
The gallant men who died in the war. "

"And because they did, you and I are free
That's why we wear a poppy you see.
I had a boy about your size,
With golden hair and big blue eyes.

"He loved to play and jump and shout
Free as a bird, he would race about.
As the years went by, he learned and grew
And became a man - as you will too. "

"He was fine and strong, with a boyish smile,
But he'd seemed with us such a little while
When war broke out and he went away.
I still remember his face that day.

"When he smiled at me and said goodbye.
'I'll be back soon, Mum, so please don't cry.'

But the war went on and he had to stay
And all l could do was wait and pray.

"His letters told us of the awful fight
(I can see it in my dreams at night),
With the tanks and guns and cruel barbed wire.
And the mines and the bullets, the bombs and the fire."

"That sure did sound like an awful fight,
But your son - did he come back alright?"
A tear rolled down each faded cheek;
She shook her head but didn't speak.

"I slunk away in a sort of shame,
And if you were with me, you'd have done the same;
For our thanks, in giving is aft delayed,
Though our freedom was bought - and thousands paid!

"And so, when we see a poppy worn,
Let us reflect on the burden borne
By those who gave very all
When asked to answer their country's call
That we at home in peace might live.
Then wear a poppy! - and give!

by Don Crawford

Lest We Forget

The American Legion Auxiliary's call to REMEMBER.