It’s the end of an era for the Iola American Legion Auxiliary.
Last week, members turned in their Charter after almost 102 years.
The club was first organized in September 1922 and was affiliated with Leslie J. Campbell Post No. 15.
It was one of the oldest auxiliaries in the state. The mission of the auxiliary is to support U.S. veterans and the troops.
In the early days the women helped by rolling bandages and making care packages as well as providing a social life for each other.
In later years, the women sold poppies and put flowers and flags on veterans’ graves. For several years they delivered gifts to veterans’ homes.
“Our unit was very active in sending high school girls to Kansas Girls State,” Iola auxiliary member Donna Culver wrote in a press release. “The last few years we have been able only to send donations and make gift bags to our local veterans in nursing homes.”
“Due to the aging of our group, the death of three officers, and the lack of interest, it was decided we were no longer sustainable,” Culver said.
Remaining members have been given the option of transferring to another chapter. Contact Culver at (620) 365-8106 or Cindy Ward, Second District president, at (309) 222-7233, for more information.
