Women form Legion Auxiliary

Sisters' active veterans community added a new group last week as the Sisters American Legion Auxiliary received its charter in a ceremony at City Hall on Wednesday, December 5.

Pat Seely, president of the Oregon Department of the American Legion Auxiliary, presented the charter to local President Dorothy Shurtleff.

"It's for wives, mothers, daughters, granddaughters of veterans that are in the American Legion," said Sisters American Legion Post Commander Gene Hellickson. "They needed 10 members and we have 11 ladies now that have joined."

Continuing support and assistance were provided by Louise Carter, the District 5 secretary of the Prineville American Legion Auxiliary, and Betty Parent, the District President at Prineville.

The mission of the American Legion Auxiliary "is to support The American Legion and to honor the sacrifice of those who serve by enhancing the lives of our veterans, military, and their families, both at home and abroad," according to its website. "For God and country, we advocate for veterans, educate our citizens, mentor youth, and promote patriotism, good citizenship, peace and security."

The American Legion was chartered by Congress in 1919 in the wake of World War I, which saw the first mass deployment of American troops overseas. It is the largest wartime veterans association.

The meetings for the Sisters auxiliary will be held at Sisters City Hall on the first Wednesday of every month at 6:30 p.m.

For further information, contact Dorothy Shurtleff at 541-388-6849. Information about the workings of the American Legion Auxiliary is available on the Internet at www.legion-aux.org.

For information on joining the Sisters American Legion Auxiliary Unit 86, contact Dorothy Shurtleff at 541-388-6849.