Auxiliary October 2023 Minutes
The Herbert Griffin American Legion Auxiliary met October 3, 2023 at 6:30 PM with 7 officers and 2
members present. The meeting was called to order by Unit 19 President Debbie Howell and the prayer
was given by Unit 19 Chaplin Judy Morton. The Pledge of Allegiance and Preamble were recited by all
members. We did not sing.
The Program for the month was Education and District Meetings. There was no program presented.
Next month the program will be Membership, Past President’s Parley, Veterans Day and District
Meetings.
The Minutes did not appear on the Post 19 website but this will be corrected and they will appear on the
day following the meeting (October 4. 2023). Judy Morton made the motion that after reading them
they will be accepted, Charlotte Connors seconded her motion and it carried on the floor.
The Financial Report was reported by Treasurer Libby Moss. Judy Morton made the motion to accept
the report, seconded by Charlotte Connors to accept Judy’s motion and it carried on the floor. Libby
made copies of her report for all the members. Just of note: Libby was able to find the $ .23 error
reported at the previous meeting. Way to go Libby!!!
Beth McAdams audited the Treasurer’s Report and this will appear in the minutes at a later date.
Bills for Presentation: There were no bills for presentation.
Reports:
Americanism: Nothing reported at this time.
Auxiliary Emergency Fund: $21.00 was collected.
Cavalcade of Memories: Nothing was reported.
Chaplain: Chaplain Judy Morton reported she had sent 3 cards to members: Two sympathy cards and 1
Thinking of You card.
Chaplain Judy suggested deceased members could always request donations for the Auxiliary in their
obituaries.
Children and Youth: Chairman Teresa Lyle reported the title for the Americanism Essay Contest: “What
does Patriotism Mean to You?” Teresa is planning to contact all Maury County Schools and make them
aware of this contest.
Community Service: Joanne Ring (and Matt) reported 4 hours each at the Room at the Inn. Joanne also
reported she had announced at the Sunset Symphony for donations to the Unit 19 Volunteer Girl State
Program. Way to go Joanne!!!
The date set for the Columbia Christmas Parade is December 2, 2023. This is also the Weekend for the
Columbia Christmas Home Tour. Tickets for the tour can be purchased at the Columbia Visitors Center.
Gail Gilliam reported that she has volunteered to be a docent at Elm Springs every Thursday. Their
coffers are quite bare and they have had to turn down many times, visitors tours because they had no
docents. Gail encouraged members to please come and visit and support this historical site.
Members are to bring food for Harvest Share. Gail Gilliam is responsible for delivering the food.
Harvest Share suggested bringing: tuna and tuna helper, pasta and pasta sauces, romaine noodles, rice
and dried pinto beans.
Gail Gilliam reported on the programs that Harvest Share services for Columbia: 1) provide 180 back
packs a month to elementary schools that are not helped by churches, etc. 2) every 2nd Thursday from
11:00-12:00 is Senior Day (68+) 3) every 4th Thursday from 11:30-12:30 is Medical Day ( those with a
serious long term illness). There are stipulations for these programs. Please call Donna at 931-446-6100
for assistance.
Constitution and By-Laws: Nothing was reported.
Education: Chairman Teresa Lyle reported 10 more notebooks had been donated by the Unit for the 10
f0r 10 program.
Finance: There was good discussion re projects for funding of the Unit 19 coffers. Several suggestions
were discussed: Papa John’s, Little Caesar’s and Krispy Kreme Donuts. This was tabled at this time.
Girls State: Charlotte Connors reported the Department President’s Special Project this year is an
additional emphasis on funds to support the VGS Program.
Co Chairman Beth McAdams reported she would like to get in contact with Maury County Schools
Counselor re VGS and other Unit 19 programs for students and Americanism.
Gold Star: President Debbie Howell sent cards to all Unit 19 Gold Star Members>
History: Nothing reported.
Junior Activities: Nothing reported.
Leadership: President Debbie reported the 7th District Meeting will be held on October 7 with
registration at 11:00 AM at Southgate Church of Christ with Unit 19’s very own Libby Moss (7th District
President) organizing. Thanks Libby!!! All planning to attend must RSVP to Libby. Lunch will be $15.00:
Poppy seed chicken casserole, Green beans, jello salad, dessert, coffee and tea will be served.
Decorating for the meeting will be after the VA Carnival, when we get back from Murfreesboro. Please
come and help!!!
Unit 19 will be attending the York VA Carnival on Friday October 6 and will be leaving at 7:30 AM to
travel to Murfreesboro from the north side Kroger shopping mall near the gas pumps. Past President
Charlotte asked that members wear red to honor all military that have not come back home. (MIA)
President Debbie reported these events coming up for members to record on their calendars:
On Veterans Day the Columbia Elk’s Lodge will provide Breakfast for all Veterans and their guest at no
charge beginning at 8 AM.
There will be a Veterans Parade in Columbia beginning at the Columbia Plaza and ending at the Mule
House. It is to start promptly at 11:00 AM.
The Department ALA Mid-Winter Conference will be January 13-14 at the Embassy Suites in
Murfreesboro.
*There will be a QOV Presentation at South Gate Church of Christ on October 21. Also there will be a
QOV Presentation for the Vet to Vets at the Factory on Veterans Day. On this day Libby and Teresa will
have a table set up for donations for materials for QOV. Way to go Unit 19 Ladies!!!
** October 10-24, 2023 The Department Office will be closed.
***October 28, 2023 Make a Difference Day.
Legislation: Chairman Gail Gilliam had several pieces of AL Legislation to report: 1) 10-6-2023, The
American Legion Legislative Update 10-6-2023. 2) 10-11-2023 The American Legion changes and saves
lives. 3) 10-13-2023, The American Legion Legislative Update 10-13-2023.
This information was obtained from: www.legion.org/legislative and copies are attached to these
minutes and place in Unit 19 file cabinet under minutes. Also some information is obtained from “The
American Legion Magazine”. Emails from Senators and Representatives, etc. were sent directly to Gail
Gilliam.
National Security: Nothing reported.
Membership: Chairman Beth McAdams reported 55members have paid their dues with 16 more
members having paid online. The Unit membership at present is 45%. Our goal for the year is 162.
Judy Morton inquired about information re Paid Up For Life membership (PUFL).
There was discussion re the ALA $5000.00 Accidental Life Insurance policy. The link for this:
ALAforVeterans.org>Members Benefits
Past Presidents Parley: Nothing reported.
Poppy: Unit 19 is still searching for a Poppy Queen.
Public Relations: Marsha Robinson reported she has American Legion Auxiliary, Unit 19, Herbert Griffin,
Columbia, Tn up and running. Thank you Marsha, this is great for our Unit!!! Ladies please share what
you can, appropriately, for our viewers.
Correspondence: Secretary Gail Gilliam reported a Thank you from Kathleen Graves, Gold Star Sister.
President Debbie sent Gold Star cards to the Unit GS Members in honor of Gold Star recognition month.
Way to go Debbie!!!
VA&R: Chairman Libby Moss asked for these donations for Veterans for Christmas at the present time:
$175.00 ($100.00 to York Veteran Hospital, $25.00 each to Nashville, Memphis and Mountain Home).
Beth McAdams made the motion for Libby to send the money, Teresa seconded Beth’s motion and it
carried on the floor. These donations are due November 15, 2023.
Chairman Libby reported donations to Operation Stand Down must go through the Nashville OSD
offices.
Judy Morton announced a new idea of all Maury County Veterans organizations going together to build
a new building on the VFW property. This would be a building where all the Veterans could meet at their
designated time during the month.
Old Business: Nothing reported.
New Business: Nothing reported.
Large Pot: The large pot was missed by Lula Ince, not being present. Next month it will be $75.00.
The Prayer for Peace was given by Unit 19 Chaplain Judy Morton. President Debbie Howell adjourned
the meeting. The next meeting will be held November 7, 2023 at 6:30 PM. Dinner will be catered and
served at 6:00 PM.
Respectfully Submitted
For God and Country, Gail Gilliam, Unit 19 Secretary.