BRUNSWICK — The American Legion Auxiliary of the George T. Files American Legion Post 20 received a new charter Oct. 19. The charter was presented by national ALA president Kathy Dungan, of Mississippi, as well as Maine representatives of the ALA.
Post 20 became inactive in the mid-1990s as did the auxiliary. In 2011, Post 20 re-established itself and has been growing steadily, meeting in the former Evergreens Senior Citizens building at 1 Columbus Drive.
Cmdr. David Watson and Past Cmdr. Joe Donahue had expressed interest in re-establishing the American Legion Auxiliary.
“The time was right,” noted newly installed Post 20 President Nancy Hory, adding, “We had the number of women required to apply for a new Charter.”
Hory said the summer months were spent contacting women who would be interested in participating, making sure dues were paid and submitting paperwork to the State of Maine and the national headquarters.
“We mailed in the paperwork in early August and waited to hear,” she said. “We were notified that our Charter would be reissued on October 19th at a scheduled visit of the National American Legion Auxiliary president. We were honored to have National President Kathy Dungan present our charter and thrilled that she and a suite of department officers would be installing our officers.”
The American Legion Auxiliary has been serving, educating and giving to servicemen and women since 1919, answering the call of “Service Not Self” by giving out annual scholarships, volunteering serving veterans and communities, and distribute $2.5 million to veteran’s programs from distributing poppies.
PHOTO: National President Kathy Dungan administers the oath of office to officers of the American Legion Post 20 Auxiliar, from left, Nancy Hory, president; Melissa Farris, vice-president; Tamara Watson, secretary; Bev Diller, treasurer. (Submitted photo)
