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On March 8, 1935, at 2:00 p.m. our story begins at the Cook County Courthouse. A meeting was held, led by the District President, to organize our local auxiliary. The purpose was to contribute to “the welfare and relief work of the community…” and ”to assist the disabled soldiers of the world war.” Among the last names in the beautifully handwritten minutes of these meetings from long ago are Dalbec, Zerback, Allen, Sjoberg, Anderson, Hussey, Underwood, Bally, LeSage, Maher, Helmerson, Hoppenstad, Faherty, McNearney, Creech, Backlund, and Andert.
Spare books were being collected to be sent to Moose Lake. Reports regarding public health, community service and child welfare and rehabilitation were presented (all forbidden today by data privacy laws). Birthdays were celebrated and baby showers were given. Members sold magazine subscriptions, aprons, and donuts, and even hosted card parties to earn money (of which $10.50 was used to purchase a dozen chairs at one meeting). Clothing and canned food were donated; gifts to children of veterans in the hospital were provided. On Armistice Day, November 11, 1937, the annual dinner dance was held. The charge was 75 cents for a couple, or 50 cents for a single person. The menu included steak, dill pickles, buttered beets, hot rolls, browned potatoes, head lettuce and dressing, pumpkin pie, and coffee. What a bargain!
Those early handwritten minutes are in a book that ends in June of 1950. In the back of the book is a handwritten grave registration, listing veterans and which Cook County cemetery they are buried. Toftey, Overby, Carlson, Shaw, Williams, Ongstad, and Morrison are just a few of the names written in cursive on the back inside cover. Tucked carefully inside that back cover are typewritten minutes with the names Sande, Hedstrom, Howard, Beckwith, Olson, and Ikola from 1954-56. “Aid was given to needy families” and money was sent to the Nopeming Sanitarium and to a memorial fund for someone who died from leprosy. Such good work being done by our auxiliary!
Then, there is a gap in records from 1956 to the 1990’s, when both typed and written minutes appear in another book. Sorlie, Burton, Eckel, Wright, Olin, Garner, Speck, Larsen, and Carlson seem to be names that pop up regularly in this later record book. Floats were being designed for Fisherman’s Picnic, pasties and cookies were being baked, money was donated to youth hockey, Christmas parties for children were being planned, and bingo was being played. Jackets were purchased for auxiliary members to wear at funerals and parades. It was noted during the 1990’s that there was difficulty getting members to pay and there was decline in membership.
Fast forward to 2021. We are still experiencing a decline in membership. It has become an even greater struggle to maintain our membership numbers, get members to step into leadership positions, or to get individuals involved in attending or participating in meetings, events, or activities. We created a Facebook page, advertised our meetings on the Boreal Community Media and WTIP, and sent out emails to members each month. We’ve donated scholarships, funds for Honor Flight, helped out the Veteran’s Home in Silver Bay, helped put a smile on folks at the Care Center, and donated thousands of dollars to the Salvation Army, the Food Shelf, and other local charities. The auxiliary has a handful of members who attend our monthly meetings and/or contribute by helping with activities and events. At our Monday, April 5 meeting, we may vote to dissolve the auxiliary, if we cannot get existing members engaged. We need people to step up and get involved in leadership positions, planning, and helping to get all the work done. We don’t want our story to end! Contact Dee Brazell at mickndee14@gmail or call her at 218-370-2463.
The very future of this local American Legion Auxiliary Unit 413 is in YOUR hands.
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