THE LADIES AUXILIARY
On April 1, 1952, The Thomas J. Hanly Jr. American Legion Post 350 Ladies Auxiliary was chartered by some of the wives of the post members. A auxiliary constitution and bylaws were adopted.
The charter members were:
| Mrs. George Wild (Theresa) | Mrs. Alberta Roques |
| Mrs. James Noveh (Lorraine) | Mrs. Cecelia Ochoa |
| Mrs. Florence Dietz | Mrs. Val Verdun (Althea) |
| Mrs. Harold Brennan (Theo) | Mrs. Charles Strohmeyer |
| Mrs. John Brennerman | Mrs. A. R. Hughes Jr |
| Mrs. Oneil Williams (Victoria) | Mrs. Estelle Schenk |
| Mrs. Lilly Cannon | Mrs. Beatrice Poche |
| Mrs. Yvonne Hanly | Mrs. Mildred Graham |
The first meeting of the ladies auxiliary was held at the home of Theresa and George Wild which was located at 316 Papworth Avenue. ln 1952, respectable ladies would not attend a meeting in a bar. When the meetings would move to the Pentacostal church, the ladies would hold their meetings there when the men met.
The ladies of Post 350 Ladies Auxiliary have always been a vital part of American Legion Post 350 and have had good relations with the men of the post. When the ladies and men started meeting at the same location, the ladies started preparing the meals for everyone. The ladies assisted the men in post events and participated in American Legion Ladies Auxiliary programs. All this was done despite the fact that most ladies were raising their small children at the time. Many of these ladies formed life-long friendships thrcugh their association at post 350.
During social events at the post, namely barbeques, parties, and dances, the ladies worked hard to make each a success. Rosemary Walters assisted by her husband Jake Walters and Dolores Donahoe assisted by her husband Jack Donahoe prepared many fine meals. Through their efforts, the ladies helped the post raise money through dances and bingos by preparing food to be sold at such events. They assisted in fundraising events and the sale of poppies. Delma Lassabe and her husband Hugh (Eddie) Lassabe are best remembered for their hard work at dances.
The ladies promoted the development of patriotism in young girls. The ladies auxiliary fully participated in sending high school girls to Girls State each year. During the 1970’s, Post 350 Ladies Auxiliary had a junior auxiliary unit under the direction of Bessie Seeger. The auxiliary attended patriotic observances on memorial and veterans day.
Auxiliary members visited nursing homes and hospitals to give good cheer to sick and aged veterans. They gave rides to doctors appointments to those who needed one. When the auxiliary was the most vibrant, the ladies sent meals to shut ins, post funeral gatherings and to those being released from the hospital. ln recent years the auxiliary and post members have a yearly visit to the Southeast Veterans War Home in Reserve, Louisiana where they give out bags of personal items to each veteran.
Bessie Seeger, Rosemary Jeanne and Jeanette D’Amico are remembered for being outstanding auxiliary members. Wives often stepped forward to help their husbands while they were post officers. I have witnessed this in the past few years, Brenda Juneau and Marie Totora have done excellence jobs while serving as presidents of the ladies auxiliary. Through their efforts American Legion Post 350 is a better post.
A special thanks to the ladies of the auxiliary. They have helped make post 350 into a special place.