Elaine (Larson) Jaeger joined the Westby American Legion Post 155 Ladies Auxiliary on November 1, 1941. She was 21 years old and proud to be an American. Her father, Ludwig C. Larson, a veteran and American Legion member himself, encouraged his daughter to join the auxiliary program, a move she’s never regretted once over the past six-plus decades.

The Auxiliary, organized in 1919 to assist The American Legion, is much more than the name implies. The organization has achieved its own unique identity while working side-by-side with the veterans who belong to the American Legion. Like the Legion, the Auxiliary's interests have broadened to encompass the entire community. Through its nearly 12,000 Units located in every state and some foreign countries, the Auxiliary embodies the spirit of America that has prevailed through war and peace. It is solidly behind America today as it was when it was founded.

Patriotism is a personal commitment for American Legion Auxiliary members. They place great importance on community involvement and responsible citizenship. To this day Jaeger is appalled by the number of people who fail to show respect for the American colors when they are presented during parades and ceremonies. As an auxiliary member she’s marched in her fair share of parades and told more than a few people to stand up, take their hats off, place their hand on their heart and show some respect.

“We should all be grateful for our freedom and never forget how many millions of people have already died to keep those freedoms alive,” Jaeger said.

A native of Westby, Elaine learned the importance of patriotism early on and has carried it with her through war and peace time. As an auxiliary member she fondly recalled the Saturday night dances held at the Tomah Veteran’s Administration Hospital. During World War II military officials requested a number of female auxiliary members from area organizations to drive to Tomah and dance with military personnel who had returned home from the war and were being treated at the hospital.

Jaeger and a number of her friends were pleased to fill the request, but you can only imagine the heartache they felt when the men who wanted to dance the most were the ones who had lost limbs while serving their country.

“For a little while they wanted to feel whole again and if dancing could make that happen, I’m proud to have eased their pain, if only for a couple of hours,” Jaeger said.

Married for 66 years, Elaine became a wartime bride when she married another Westby native, Earl Jaeger, in 1942. WWII was declared in 1941 and Earl was transferred overseas shortly after the two of them tied the knot. Earl spent four years with the Army Medical Supply off the coast of Africa, where their job was to keep Army hospitals supplied. He returned home in 1945 when the war ended and the Jaegers have remained in Westby ever since.

The Poppy Program is the oldest and most widely recognized Auxiliary fund-raiser program. Each year around Memorial Day, Auxiliary volunteers distribute millions of bright red crepe paper poppies in exchange for contributions to assist disabled and hospitalized veterans. The program provides multiple benefits to the veterans and to the community. The hospitalized veterans who make the flowers are able to earn a small wage, which helps to supplement their incomes and makes them feel more self-sufficient.

Poppies are being distributed in Westby from May 16-27, 2008. Jaeger can’t even fathom how many poppies she has sold through the years as an auxiliary member, but she does remember when they were a nickel and a dime, not the dollar they cost today.

“Poppies like everything else cost more, but the money raised is definitely for a good cause. It’s not wasted,” Jaeger said.

Donations for poppies are used exclusively to assist and support veterans and their families. The poppy also reminds the community of the past sacrifices and continuing needs of our veterans. Auxiliary members endeavor to explain the true meaning of this little flower to all those who receive it. The poppy has become a nationally known and recognized symbol of sacrifice and is worn and used by Auxiliary members to honor the men and women who served and died for their country in all wars.

Crete paper has had multiple uses for Jaeger and her Westby comrades. Jaeger fondly recalls an auxiliary Valentine’s Day dance where all the members were outfitted in homemade paper dresses. Jaeger smiled as she recalled her own dress made out of pink crete paper with a white belt and white pocket.

“We had so much fun and everyone got do use their creativity. We raised money for the veterans and had fun doing it. We’re just glad no one lit a match,” Jaeger said.

The Auxiliary has conceived and implemented hundreds of programs for veterans, their families, young people and the community at large. Many programs have been expanded and now are commonly accepted institutions within the community and nation. So deeply ingrained are such programs as the Girls State program, that the subtle guiding hand of the Auxiliary is often not recognized.

Girls State began in 1937 and takes place every summer for more than 25,000 high school girls in 49 states. It has given more than a million girls "hands on" experience in state government.

The Girls State program targets young women interested in the government process and emphasizes the role of responsible citizenship in good government. As a result of their training in this valuable Auxiliary program, many young women will take responsible positions in business and government.

Auxiliary members believe that a solid educational foundation is the cornerstone of American freedom. The Auxiliary's Education program promotes quality education for every child and supports students in their desire to continue their education beyond high school. Auxiliary members work actively with educators and local schools to develop and maintain an educational system that serves the needs of all children at every level. Auxiliary volunteers sponsor and support state and national education legislation; establish new scholarship opportunities for students; alert eligible students to existing scholarship resources; help students identify career opportunities and professional job requirements; and encourage students to plan early for college and apply for scholarship opportunities.

The Auxiliary's Community Service program is based on the premise that no organization has a right to exist within the community without giving something to that community in return. Community service helps to make our communities better places in which to live. Auxiliary members study community needs, recommend projects, raise funds and donate their time to accomplish their specific objectives. Special attention is given to the selection of each project to ensure that the work of other organizations is not duplicated. Auxiliary Units also provide assistance on Community Service projects sponsored by American Legion Posts and work with other organizations to implement practical, worthwhile projects for the benefit of the community.

Westby American Legion Post 155 members include:Gerda Aarness-treasurer, Flossie Anderson, Hazel Anderson, Luanne Atkins, Nina Atkins, Sara Atkins, Cheryl Bakkestuen, Lorraine Bakkestuen, Verna Bakkum, Jeanne Barstad, Donna Bean, Verna Berg, Rhodia Berger, Loretta Betz, Annette Christianson, Gladys Christianson, Mary Daines, Jill Davidson, Amy Evenstad, Audrey Hagen, Shirley Hagen, Abby Barstad, Elaine Jaeger, Pat Jaeger, Bertha Johnson-president, Margaret Knutson, Kay Kurschinski, Susan Lane, Helen Lee, Doris Lium, Dorothy Lunde, Mary Mockrud, Cheryl Nelson, Joyce Olson, Pat Onshus, Ellen Pederson, Roxanne Ross, Mae Rude, Karen Rudie, Catherine Schlicht, Rosalie Schye, Eunice Sorenson, Pat Stafslien-vice president/membership, Lillian Stigen, Debra Stromstad, Margaret Terry, Betty Tricker-secretary, Doris Volden, Mabel Volden, Jean Wedwick, Shannon Wedwick, Bette Zinke

Local community projects include: supporting veterans and their families whenever possible, maintaining the Flander's Field flower beds at Coon Prairie Cemetery, contributing funds to the annual community Syttende Mai festival, the distribution of carnation boutonnieres to local nursing homes and to the Westby school staff veterans for the Veterans Day program in November. Within the past year the Westby Auxiliary has made over 100 “Cool Ties” for inclusion in troop packages and they donate time and money to the local blood drives and food pantry.

Jaeger has the longest active membership on the Westby Auxiliary. The Jaegers are currently both residents at Norseland Nursing Home in Westby, where Elaine hopes her stay is short and she can return home and play a more active role in the women’s auxiliary very soon.

Anyone interested in joining the Auxiliary should contact one of the current members listed above.