Cruising into a New Era

By Stephanie Nicole

In 2021, when American Legion Post 215 reopened under the leadership of Post Commander Barry Morton, he set many goals, one being to charter an American Legion Auxiliary. The auxiliary’s mission 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.” Last July, the new group became a reality under the leadership of Unit President Stephanie Nicole, Unit Secretary/Treasurer Lynna Meadows , and the unparalleled guidance of Alabama Department Representative Vickie Thrower-Mills. On Sept.12, Mentone American Legion Auxiliary Unit 215 was presented with our official charter, and we’ve already begun our community outreach and betterment efforts with multiple events and service projects in the near future. Here are some of the legion and auxiliary’s upcoming events:

From Left to Right: Claire Baroni (Veteran) ,Brittany Conner (JR), Krissy Johnson, Becca Mizell, Stephanie Nicole (Unit President), Dr. Lynna Meadows (Unit Secretary/ Treasurer), Sandra Plummer (Veteran), Sarah Conner, Sirena Conner (JR)

Oct. 12 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. is the first 1st Annual Mentone Car Show, held at Moon Lake Village. Online registration is open for both cars and vendors. Onsite registration for VEHICLES ONLY will open at 9 a.m. that day. The car entry donation is $20. All merchant vendors must be pre-approved and registered in advance. For more information and to register, see the flyer in this edition of “The Groundhog.”

Nov. 9 from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the legion post at 195 Cove Road in Mentone, we will host a Veterans Day Cookout for the community. Plate costs are still to be determined, and all proceeds will support Post 215. For more information about this event, see the post’s Facebook group.

November will begin our Wreaths Across America Campaign. If you are interested in purchasing your own wreath or sponsoring a grave wreath, please reach out to Auxiliary Unit 215 via the contact information below or on Facebook.

Left: Ms. Vickie Thrower-Mills (state dept rep.), Stephanie Nicole (Unit President), Dr. Lynna Meadows (Unit Secretary/Treasurer)

As the auxiliary continues to grow, we are seeking more ways to contribute to our community. We meet on the second Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. at Post 215.

If you are a female veteran; a sister, mother, daughter, granddaughter or spouse of a veteran; or a male spouse of a female veteran of the armed forces, with or without wartime service, living or deceased, we would love for you to join us as we continue to create programs and complete service projects with our community in mind. For more information or to contact the auxiliary, follow us on Facebook, call or text 256-516-2652, or email americanlegionunit215@gmail.com.