By Robin Widmar
Anyone who wonders what Falcon’s American Legion Post Auxiliary Unit 2008 does should be prepared for a very long list. While the Auxiliary’s primary mission is to serve veterans, military members and their families, it also supports programs benefiting youth and the wider community.
Family members of veterans comprise the all-volunteer Auxiliary, which works in tandem with the American Legion Dane R. Balcon Post 2008 and other subgroups in the American Legion family, such as the American Legion Riders and Sons of the American Legion, to support events, programs and fundraising year-round. “We have a common bond,” said Dana Ware, a past president of the Auxiliary. “That desire to serve the veterans.”
Developing young leaders
One of the Auxiliary’s biggest programs is ALA Colorado Girls State, a weeklong civics and leadership experience for girls who are high school juniors entering their senior year. Participants create mock cities, elect leaders, develop and debate bills, and learn how government works. “They come out of their shell, and they meet girls from all over the state,” said Ware, who is also the chair of the ALA Girls State Committee. Two girls are then selected to attend ALA Girls Nation in Washington, D.C., where all states are represented.
Even if attendees do not want to go into politics, the immersive experience helps them learn about civic responsibility and the value of critical thinking skills. “To a girl that we’ve sent, they have all said it made a difference for them,” Ware said.
The Auxiliary sponsors local students, including those from District 49 and home schools, and covers the program fees, which amount to about $225 for each participant. “We really don’t want to hinder girls from being able to participate because of money,” Ware said. “We really see the importance of building leaders in our girls within the community.”
The next ALA Colorado Girls State event will be held June 13-18, 2027, at Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, Colorado. Applications will be accepted from Nov. 1, 2026, to May 1, 2027. To learn more about the program, go to www.alacolorado.org/girls-state/.
The American Legion post supports Colorado Boys State, which will be held June 6-12, 2027, also at Northeastern Junior College. Information can be found at www.colegionboysstate.org.
A full calendar
The Auxiliary participates in and supports numerous local events annually, as schedules and staffing allow. These range from the local Boy Scout pancake breakfast on July 4 and the Black Forest Festival parade in August to the annual Falcon Bazaar, Calhan’s Summerfest, the Run for the Wall cross-country motorcycle ride and the Veterans Day parade in Colorado Springs.
The American Legion and the Auxiliary support Wreaths Across America through wreath sponsorships, ceremonies, transportation, volunteers, refreshments and cleanup. “We want to make sure that every veteran who needs to be recognized at a cemetery does get recognized,” Ware said. This year’s event begins at 9 a.m. on Dec. 19 at the Pikes Peak National Cemetery.
Year-round efforts include collecting items for the Airman’s Attic at Peterson Space Force Base, which assists military families. The Auxiliary supports veterans’ homes and community pantries, gives recognition to local first responders and contributes to programs serving people affected by human trafficking. The Auxiliary also assists with flag exchanges, flag education and road cleanups in the Falcon area.
Members take part in sendoffs and welcome-home events for Honor Flights, which transport veterans to Washington, D.C. to honor them for their service and sacrifices. They have also helped provide fabric for Quilts of Love presented to those veterans.
On Nov. 5, the Auxiliary will join American Legion post members at a memorial service to honor six unclaimed veterans at Pikes Peak National Cemetery. “Unclaimed” means that family members could not be located for these veterans, but the Legion and other members of the community will ensure their service is recognized.
Many of these activities rely on monetary support, so the Auxiliary assists with fundraising efforts. Among the most popular events are the annual summer peach sale and the fall butter braid sale. Revenue supports operations and programs, including the Auxiliary Emergency Fund, which provides assistance to eligible members affected by disasters. Members said the local Auxiliary donated more than $1,000 to the fund last year.
The support the Auxiliary provides does not stop with events and fundraising. Members described helping veterans and their families navigate difficult seasons, from service-connected illnesses and caregiving to grief and isolation. Some Auxiliary members have firsthand experience caring for veterans or living military family life themselves. Support, they said, can be as simple as listening, sharing a meal or helping someone find the right resource. Auxiliary President Bertha Koch said they cannot change someone’s circumstances, “but we can walk with them.”
Who can join the Auxiliary?
American Legion Auxiliary membership is open to eligible spouses, parents, siblings, grandparents, children and grandchildren of qualifying veterans, as well as eligible women veterans. A person does not have to be related to someone who currently belongs to a Legion post, but the qualifying military service must be documented.
Once restricted to women, Auxiliary eligibility recently was expanded to include both women and men, in part to create a place for Gold Star family members who want to serve in honor of a loved one. “As long as they are connected to a veteran, and we can vet the fact that they are, they can be part of the Auxiliary,” Ware said.
For more information on becoming an American Legion Auxiliary member, go to www.ALAforVeterans.org.
New members and volunteers welcome
Across its projects, the Auxiliary’s challenge is not a lack of ideas but having enough hands to carry them out. Members said people do not have to take charge of a committee to make a difference; one-time volunteers and behind-the-scenes helpers are valuable, too.
“It’s for our veterans. It’s for our community,” Koch said. “It’s a lot of work, but it’s for a good cause.”
For more information, visit the American Legion Post 2008 Auxiliary website: www.legionpost2008.com.
