The Harmony American Legion Auxiliary celebrated 100 years of service on November 10, 2019, with an open house at the Old Legion Hall in Harmony, Minn.
The American Legion was formed on March 15, 1919, in Paris, France. At that time, Minnesotans had started their own veterans’ organization called the Loyal Legion, but they quickly changed their name to the American Legion and organized delegates to attend a caucus in St. Louis in May 1919.
By November 1919, there were 35,000 Legion members and 360 posts in Minnesota. Harmony was the 81st post and named after Gustav Berg, the first soldier from Harmony to die in service.
Over the past 100 years, the auxiliary has supported the Legion in their projects, particularly the Memorial Day program, as well as initiating their own projects. This unit has sent girls to Girls State nearly every year since its inception, sponsored blood drives for over 50 years, recognized teachers with apples during National Education Week, supported the local Girl Scouts and sponsored children for Christmas in Fillmore County. Members have also held county offices in past years, and the unit has hosted several Girls State Teas which included all the candidates from Fillmore County. In December 1985, a junior auxiliary was started, and although it is no longer as active as it was then, there are currently 20 junior members, and they participate in some of the senior activities.
The most important service we do, however, is distributing poppies Memorial Day weekend. The monies brought in help us support numerous veterans’ programs on state and local levels, and it is our hope to continue our service to the community and veterans for many years to come.
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