SHERWOOD, Ark. — The month of May is one that is especially busy for the American Legion. You can count on members organizing Memorial Day tributes, parades and then joining the ranks honoring the fallen.
For the American Legion Auxiliary, the group largely comprised of spouses of post members, it can be twice as busy, thanks to Mother's Day and Poppy Day.
After 123 years as an organization made up of service members, an evolution brings plenty of crossover between the two groups, making everyone busy in May.
"It's the fellowship and the opportunity to give back," said Felicia Cage, who embodies that crossover as the president of the Michael Vann Johnson Jr. American Legion Auxiliary Post 74 of Sherwood, because as an Air Force veteran, she's also a member of the post itself.
"I've kind of lived on both sides of it," she said. "I remember how I would worry about my children and my spouse when I was deployed and to know that there were organizations and people that were there to offer them what they needed in support was wonderful."
That membership in both wings of the post is a sign that some traditions in the Legion are changing, while others remain steadfast.
"Veterans Affairs, Americanism, children and youth, and national security," said Tony Gordon, the president-elect of the post, as he described the four pillars of the organization. "We like to call ourselves a Legion family. We want to show that the American Legion and American Legion family includes the auxiliary, [and] the junior auxiliary."
In the community, you'll find that "legion family" advocating for veterans in government, and counseling them in the state veterans home.
Ahead of Memorial Day weekend, the auxiliary also raises funds on National Poppy Day.
"It's a memorial flower in recognition of bloodshed and the freedom that we have because of people that died during wartime," said Sonja Clark, the committee chair who leads the major fundraiser for the auxiliary unit.
Members handed out trademark red flowers on the Friday before Memorial Day outside of the Kroger in Indian Hills while gladly accepting donations from shoppers.
The donation stand was adorned with several symbols, and the leadership team was eager to explain the history of the Legion and its symbols while keeping an eye on the future.
"What we want to do is educate the public that the American Legion is a visible, viable, and valuable asset to the community," said Gordon. "That's our goal. To use this team to facilitate making the Sherwood community a better place because we're here."