The American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) celebrated its 104th year of service or birthday as its members loving refer to it Friday, November 10th. Although the national organization was formed in 1919, the Wagner American Legion Auxiliary Greer Unit 11 celebrated its 93rd year of service, having signed and dated their charter on April 12, 1930.

To date, the Wagner American Legion Auxiliary has 78 members with hopes to increase its membership to better serve local veterans, active service men and women, their families and the Wagner community. In order to be a member of the ALA, one just needs to be a grandmother, mother, sister, male or female spouse, and direct or adopted female descendant of members of The American Legion or of any man or woman who are United State’s Veterans. The Wagner ALA meets every third Thursday of the month at the Wagner American Legion Hall at 8 p.m.

It is the mission of the ALA to serve veterans, active military personnel and their families. The Wagner American Legion Auxiliary takes this mission statement to heart. The Wagner ALA fundraises to be able to donate to community and local non-profit organizations, passes out poppys to bring about awareness to remember those who have served and sacrificed for the country, donates items for Christmas gifts for Veterans in SD, raises funds for honor flights, buys personal dictionaries for every 3rd grader in Wagner and Marty, sponsors poetry and essay contests to provoke thought and reverence in regard to the military and Veterans, serve luncheons for military funerals ,etc.

Officers for the 2023-2024 year are President, Linda Youngbluth; Vice President, Alyssa Mathis; Secretary, Jeanette Fuchs; Treasurer, Barb Wiechman; Chaplain, Margie Stone; Historian, Dolores Kotab; Sergeant at Arms, Marlene Stone; and Parliamentarian, Juanita Stone.

President Linda Youngbluth is very proud to be a member of this Veteran’s organization. She comes from a family with a long history of military service. Her father, Lous Blazek was a WWII Veteran. Youngbluth’s husband, Jay, and son, Justin, are both Veterans. “Greer Unit 11 is a great group of ladies who do a lot for the Veterans, children and community, “ is how Linda would describe her fellow auxiliary members.

We appreciate you, ladies of the Wagner American Legion Auxiliary, for your service to the community, Veterans and children. Congratulations on continuing the legacy of service, not self.