Our Unit was first started over 100 years ago, in 1920, the year after the national American Legion Auxiliary was founded. Our first president was Sara H. Elder, the wife of the Berryville postmaster and the mother of John Robinson Elder III, a World War I veteran.
In the early years, the Unit sponsored monthly card parties and assisted with the Legion Bazaar held each fall. They also participated in the Memorial Day activities where flowers and flags were placed on the graves of veterans. In 1926 the Auxiliary started the annual tradition of selling the red paper "Poppies of Flanders Field" to raise money to support VA hospitals.
The Auxiliary became inactive in early 1937 and remained so for the next ten years. In the spring of 1947, the Lloyd Williams Post 41 Auxiliary was reactivated. It was officially chartered by the Department of Virginia on January 27th, 1948. It became an important partner of Post 41 in operating the Community Building and raising money to pay off the debt on the building.
Today we work to serve veterans, active military members, and their families. If you know a veteran or a member of the military that is in need, please reach out to let us know how we can serve them.
Thank you to Robert Ferrebee of Post 41 for the history! You can find this and more in our Centennial book! Please see a member of our Unit or American Legion Post 41 Berryville, VA for more information!