January 27, 2025 • 31 mins
Explore the heart of Mississippi with me, Jerry Allhands, as we shine a light on the incredible work of the American Legion family. Ever wondered how a small town like Nesbitt can make a big difference for veterans? Join us at Post 1990, where we celebrate the essential roles played by the American Legion Auxiliary and the Sons of the American Legion. From navigating the charming quirks of Nesbitt's location to uncovering the evolution of the Auxiliary to include male spouses of female veterans, this episode promises insights into the unique support system that uplifts veterans and their families. You'll learn about scholarships, programs like Boys State, and even charming tales of Legion baseball that bring communities together.
Bringing the community together is at the heart of everything the American Legion Auxiliary does. With initiatives like the Be the One program and the promotion of the 988 crisis line for veterans, we highlight how community activities—like local parades, the MS Project Package, and support for the Memphis Medical Center—are making a real impact. Guests Jace Chanda and Jessica Peek share their leadership journeys, showcasing the camaraderie and adaptability of the Auxiliary. As we navigate the path to membership, we spotlight the importance of personal connection and teamwork within the American Legion family, all while reinforcing our unwavering commitment to veterans and their families.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Jerry Allhands (00:00):
This is the Veterans Sound Off Podcast.
Brandon Noe (00:03):
Hard work, work.
Jerry Allhands (00:04):
Let's get it going, let's go.
I'm your host, jerry Allhands, aveteran of the US Air Force and
Army and a Mississippi PastDepartment Commander of the
American Legion.
You are invited to join me aswe travel across the state of
Mississippi, visiting theAmerican Legion post in each
community.
Together we'll get to know theAmerican Legion family,
including the American LegionAuxiliary, the Sons of the
(00:25):
American Legion and the AmericanLegion Riders.
As we travel across the statewe'll visit with other groups
and organizations that areserving America's veterans and
their families.
Last week we returned topost-1990 in Nesbitt where we
sat down with members of theSons of the American Legion, and
(00:45):
before we get into today's show, here is a moment of that
conversation.
Why would a veteran or thechild or stepchild of a veteran?
Why would they want to join theSAL?
What would entice me to comeand become a member?
Brandon Noe (00:57):
Well, you get to learn more about.
You know what your father oryour mother did, you know for
our country.
You get to learn what they dofor your community.
You get to learn there'shistory involved in it.
You get to learn order anddiscipline.
Then there's other benefits toit, like there are the American
Legion College scholarships,there is Boys State Legion
(01:19):
baseball programs.
There's so many differentthings that a child can actually
go do later in life with it.
And should they decide thatthey want to be more of a member
in the legion and continueforward, say they become a
veteran when they get back out.
They can take that much likeDanny here has taken it and you
have and go to state and do realgood work for these people.
(01:43):
So you're teaching themsomething that's bigger than
oneself.
Jerry Allhands (01:51):
Next week we'll sit down with leaders of the
Magnolia Girls State program andlearn what to expect on the
campus of Ole Miss this June.
Abby Burris (01:58):
Hey, I'm Abby Burris.
I'm the assistant director ofMagnolia Girls State.
Please join us next Monday forthe Veterans Sound Off podcast.
Jerry Allhands (02:05):
And now let's return one last time to Nesbitt
and hear from a past DepartmentPresident of the American Legion
, Auxiliary.
Jayce Chanda (02:13):
Hello everyone.
My name is Jace Chanda.
I am the unit president ofNesbitt 1990.
Jessica Peek (02:22):
Hi, I'm Jessica Peek.
I'm a member of the 1990Auxiliary and I'm also our
District 2 President for theNorthern Area.
Jerry Allhands (02:29):
Again, we're in Nesbitt Mississippi.
Somebody tell me where inNesbitt Mississippi, how would I
find the post?
Jessica Peek (02:36):
Yeah, so you're gonna.
If you're coming up from theinterstate, we're right off
Interstate 55 at the PleasantHill exit and you're just going
to turn left coming off theinterstate and you're going to
actually run directly into thepost.
I think I did that one time,right straight into the doors.
Jayce Chanda (02:52):
I'm glad she's here because I'm directionally
challenged and I wouldn't havebeen able to tell anybody how to
get there well, I'm extremelydirectionally challenged, so
somebody give me a physicaladdress.
Jerry Allhands (03:02):
Anybody got a?
Yeah, sure, it's 1505 GwynnRoad, Nesbit, Mississippi, 38651
okay, see, now I heard Gwynn,but I could have swore you said
gwynn, gwynn g-w-y-n-n and thezip code 38651 okay, anybody got
a guess is why I asked you forthat so that we can get people
(03:25):
to come visit us and I use thegps.
Jayce Chanda (03:28):
It always gets it wrong anyway, okay funny thing
about our address is it's notrecognized by the post office
for mail.
What is that, don't know.
I just know that, uh, if you goto a bank and start an account,
uh, they have to pull up theaddress and it's not recognized.
(03:48):
So that's another thing.
And we're a little bit out ofthe way, so we're not on a
beaten path, so it's not likepeople can normally pass by and
say, oh, there's the AmericanLegion, you know, let's stop
there.
And our goal is to bring peoplein, show them what we can do,
how we service our veterans, ourmilitary, their families and
(04:09):
our communities.
Jerry Allhands (04:11):
And there's a big sign out front that says
American Legion.
Jayce Chanda (04:13):
It does too.
Jerry Allhands (04:14):
Yeah, and there's a bricked-in.
What is that?
Pole or something that I thinkI bumped into with the car one
time.
Jayce Chanda (04:24):
It's utility pipes and things like that.
And a couple years ago one ofthe auxiliary members decided we
needed to spruce it up.
So they got together theauxiliary the unit, got together
and did some housekeeping withit and put it up.
Jerry Allhands (04:43):
Made it real pretty.
Jessica Peek (04:44):
Pretty, beautifull .
Jerry Allhands (04:45):
So pretty, I even bumped into it.
So I've got to repaint the bush.
Jayce Chanda (04:48):
Not the only one, I'm sure.
Jerry Allhands (04:50):
So tell me let's start with Jace.
Jace, tell me about theAmerican Legion Auxiliary.
What is the American LegionAuxiliary?
Jayce Chanda (04:58):
Initially, the American Legion Auxiliary was
the world's largest veteranservice organization Female
veteran service organization.
But five years ago, recognizingthe need of the number
increasing number, especially offemale military and veterans,
the membership was open to malespouses.
(05:20):
So we are the sisters, thedaughters, the granddaughters,
the wives and the mothers andgrandmothers of veterans and
military.
Jerry Allhands (05:32):
So it's not the ladies auxiliary.
Jessica Peek (05:36):
No, sir, it's the American Legion auxiliary.
Jayce Chanda (05:38):
Yes.
Jerry Allhands (05:38):
Okay.
Although old habits are hard tobreak and you will hear us
referred to as the ladiesauxiliary many, many times, and
now that we know that it is theAmerican Legion auxiliary men
can be members.
Jayce Chanda (05:52):
Only if they are a male spouse of a female veteran
or active military.
Jerry Allhands (05:58):
Okay, so they have to be a spouse.
They can't be a child of aveteran.
Jayce Chanda (06:01):
No, sir and be a child of a veteran?
No sir.
The only one child are for thesons, but we encompass the
mothers, grandmothers, sisters,grandchildren and daughters.
Jerry Allhands (06:16):
So what makes you eligible to be in the
auxiliary?
Jayce Chanda (06:24):
I have a couple levels of eligibility.
My father was in the army inworld war ii, my two oldest
brothers were in the air forceduring vietnam and my husband is
a marine during vietnam.
So that's what qualifies me Iam the daughter, the sister and
the spouse of a veteran kind ofwell covered over there.
Jessica Peek (06:47):
I like that, jessica what makes you, an
auxiliary, eligible to be amember so I am eligible from my
deceased grandfather who servedin world war ii.
So I think it's reallyimportant to mention that, um to
join the auxiliary, yourveteran that you're connected to
doesn't have to be living.
They can be deceased.
Very good point.
Jerry Allhands (07:07):
Can they be a step relative, Can they?
Jayce Chanda (07:18):
is that make you eligible?
Jerry Allhands (07:19):
I mean like your stepfather, your stepmother,
only if the adoption has gonethrough.
Okay, so you have to be adoptedby the step parent.
Okay, all right, you have to beadopted by the step parent.
Okay, all right.
How would you prove that yourrelative was a service member?
Jayce Chanda (07:29):
If they are deceased, then for us they need
to present the discharge papers,and the discharge must be
honorable.
Brandon Noe (07:37):
Okay.
Jayce Chanda (07:38):
If the qualifying veteran or military is alive,
they must be a member of theAmerican Legion anywhere in the
world.
They do not have to be a memberof the post where that person
is trying to join, but if theirqualifying veteran or military
is still alive, they must be amember.
Jessica Peek (08:01):
Okay.
So with that discharge paper,which is commonly referred to as
the DD-214, a lot of times thatdeceased family member it's
really hard to get that DD-214.
So we've actually evenpartnered with some local
funeral homes that have beenable to help us get the military
records that we need to provetheir eligibility.
Jayce Chanda (08:21):
Also if they are getting va benefits, because the
veterans administration hascertain levels that qualify you
to receive those benefits.
That is something that can helpas well too, as well as
cemeteries, like if it's a vacemetery, something like that.
And for those generally fromworld war ii, older, that I
(08:44):
don't know exactly when theDD-214 was brought into place,
but they have discharge papersthat's why I said discharge
papers saying honorabledischarge.
Jerry Allhands (08:55):
And you can also go through your county veteran
service officer.
Jayce Chanda (08:57):
Yes, sir.
Jerry Allhands (08:58):
To get help with that.
Did that for a while.
Yeah, okay, so we're looking atthe American Legion Auxiliary
today.
Why would somebody want to jointhe Auxiliary, Jessica?
Start with that one.
Jessica Peek (09:10):
You know, for me it is advocating and supporting
our local veterans and militaryin the community.
I purposely joined.
My purpose for joining theAmerican Legion Auxiliary was
that I had friends that were apart of the Mississippi Army
National Guard who served inIraq, who once discharged, come
(09:30):
back home to small town USA witha weird look in their eye and I
knew I didn't know how tohandle that.
But I knew my local AmericanLegion post did.
I knew that my friends couldwalk into a local post and that
another veteran would recognizethat look in their eyes.
So I wanted to make sure theyalways had a safe place to come
(09:52):
to and that was the reason thatI joined.
Jerry Allhands (09:54):
I like that reason.
Chase, what did you join theauxiliary?
Jayce Chanda (10:00):
I joined it looking for the purpose of
serving our veterans, servingour military community and their
families.
Now I repeat that over and overagain.
When I was the state presidentof the American Legion Auxiliary
, my motto was continuing themission.
(10:24):
The mission, that is themission of the ALA, the
auxiliary, american Legionauxiliary, and it is a family to
come home to.
We strive here at Nesbitt 1990to make that camaraderie
(10:44):
available to everyone,especially our veterans.
As Jessica said, there's a lookin their eyes and they have a
place to come to where somebodyelse understands.
They have a place to come towhere they can just go.
Ah, I'm home, I'm safe, I'mwith friends, I'm safe.
(11:05):
I like that, and that was agreat opportunity to do that.
Jerry Allhands (11:12):
If somebody joins the auxiliary and wants to
be actively involved inauxiliary, is there training
that's given?
Is there online training?
On-post training?
Jayce Chanda (11:23):
There's a variety of training.
Yes, there's online trainingprovided by our national
headquarters At our unitmeetings, monthly meetings.
We've been doing this for thelast five years.
We start our meetings off afterwe do our prayer and preamble
and Pledge of Allegiance.
We start our meetings off withat least two items of training
(11:48):
for our members.
All new members are given apacket of information how to
contact their officers.
They're given information onthe various programs that the
American Legion Auxiliary hasand we have mentors within the
unit.
We have mentors within thestate that if you want more
(12:10):
information, we tell them whereto go, how to go, and if we
don't know the answer, we findit for them.
So yes, it's an ongoing, it's anever-ending training and I
will say this, having personallybeen involved in doing the
training and mentoring sometimeswhen you're doing it you get
these blank eyes, but thensomething comes up and the light
(12:34):
bulb goes on and their eyeslight up and they say I know
that, I heard that.
So it works.
I'm very proud of the membershere at 1990 because they carry
the word, they carry the missionand they carry their training.
I like that.
Jerry Allhands (12:52):
Give me an example, Jessica, of something
that's going on with theauxiliary in the local community
.
That will benefit your members,a veteran, the community as
itself.
Jessica Peek (13:04):
So I think one of the big things that the
auxiliary is focusing on thisyear in our partnership with the
American Legion is 988, ourveteran crisis line.
So we're really pushing thatmessage, making sure that our
community knows about 988 andthe importance of veteran
suicide and preventing veteransuicide and knowing that that
(13:27):
resource is available.
That's a really hot topic forus.
Jerry Allhands (13:31):
Yes, it is, that's the Be the One program.
Jessica Peek (13:33):
The Be the One program.
Yes, sir.
Jerry Allhands (13:35):
How are you getting that message out to the
community?
Jessica Peek (13:39):
Well, for me personally, the first Friday of
every month you're going tocatch me wearing my Be the One
t-shirt I'm really big about.
If I'm out at a local storeshopping, I see a veteran.
I ask them hey, do you knowwhat 988 is?
I ask them if they know thatnumber.
So, instead of trying to figureout how to make it a part of a
conversation, I make it theconversation.
(14:00):
I was really excited here onHighway 51.
There's actually a billboard uptalking about 988 and veteran
crisis lines.
So that's great that you know.
We're really trying in thecommunity to get that out.
Jerry Allhands (14:13):
Okay, give me an example of a physical activity
that's going on in the community, from the auxiliary.
Jayce Chanda (14:18):
I mean is there well, we have quite a few
examples.
Uh, for one thing, we justfinished up the veterans parade
and, and as Jessica said,getting the word 988 out.
For the last two years, sincethis program has been
implemented at the nationallevel, we've had a placard with
(14:39):
our float in the Veterans Paradeand it's very prominent and we
display it during the parade.
We've had the training withinthe unit.
We've encouraged our members totake the online training with
that.
But one thing that we've beendoing for years locally is MS
Project Package.
(14:59):
Project Package sends carepackages to active military
year-round.
The organizer is a member ofthe American Legion, not our
post, but he is a member of theAmerican Legion here in
Mississippi and he started thatprogram and so every Thursday
(15:20):
here in it's actually SouthHaven, which is a neighboring
burg they prepare those packagesto send out.
Not only does our memberscollect items to donate for
those care packages, but we havefor the last five, six, seven
(15:41):
years given regular donationsbecause one of the biggest
expenses they have right now ispostage and we also go to when
they put the word out.
They need volunteers to helpcollect it, like the local
grocery stores and things likethat.
We also go to the VA VeteransHome.
(16:03):
We go to the Memphis MedicalCenter.
Even though it's in Tennessee,a big percentage of the patients
at the Memphis Medical Centerare from northern Mississippi
and we're in the northern area,so we cover those.
We make financial donations.
(16:24):
The Legion family here just thispast Sunday went and did
karaoke for the veterans at thehome and they just absolutely
love it, along with taking itemsfor them.
And then we have the upcomingChristmas shop that we've done
for years.
Members collect items to allowthe residents at the VA home to
(16:45):
go Christmas shopping for theirfamilies at absolutely no cost
to them.
We wrap the gifts for them andwe pay the postage for that to
send them, or we hand deliverthem if they're locally.
So those are, you know, thingswe're doing locally and if
there's a call out we're there.
Our members just don't thinktwice and it's real hard to get
(17:10):
them to report it because it'ssecond nature to them.
But the big thing is we havefun doing it.
Jerry Allhands (17:16):
There you go.
Jayce Chanda (17:17):
We feel good about doing it.
Jerry Allhands (17:20):
Give me an example of a call out Something
happens militarily,civilian-wise I mean so there's
an incident in the communityit's all of that.
Jayce Chanda (17:33):
If somebody puts out a need or one of our members
or one of the family members,and for those out there in
podcast land legion family weconsider is the american legion,
the american legion auxiliarythe sons of the American Legion
and the American Legion Riders,and we have all four factions of
(17:56):
that membership here atpost-1990, so it's a matter of
communication.
We hear of something for one,the rest of us jump right in and
you know we're doing whateverwe can, and it's usually not,
they just do, they don't thinktwice about it.
(18:18):
It's second nature to a lot ofus.
Jerry Allhands (18:21):
So do y'all meet as a group, separate group, and
say you know, I know that marydown the street needs some help
and we vote on it, go out and dothe job.
Jayce Chanda (18:30):
Or do y'all, all four family members, get
together and both, um,procedural wise, uh, you know,
it is the membership that has tosay of you know where our
assets are used.
Okay, so if we hear a need fromthe executive board from one of
(18:51):
the other factions and we canbring it to our membership to
vote on, they will vote.
It's like for christmas, we'redoing the angel trees and the
membership said we would likethe other half of the money that
we're going to donate to golocally to veterans and military
(19:11):
families.
So a lot of it's word of mouth,but the final say-so is our
members.
It's not a yeah, we're doingthis, and they find out after
the fact if we can help it.
Jerry Allhands (19:23):
I like that.
So, jess, if people areinterested in joining the
American Legion Auxiliary, canthey.
Do they have to contact anindividual?
Can they go online?
How do they?
How do they go about joiningthe American Legion Auxiliary?
Jessica Peek (19:36):
Oh, they can do it multiple ways.
I mean, obviously, going onlineand completing an online
application is one way, but Ithink that it's really important
to be connected with the unit.
I think that it's reallyimportant to be connected with
the unit, so they're more thanwelcome to come visit us here at
the unit, here at the post.
We always have one of us here.
They can talk with us.
We keep applications downstairsfor our members to grab.
(19:58):
We're here to talk to them.
A lot of times we're in thecommunity and we recruit that
way and we just really strike upa conversation and invite them
to our meetings or invite themto an upcoming event that we're
doing, and we almost get theminvolved immediately, even
before they've officiallycompleted their paperwork so if
somebody was to notice thatyou're wearing an american
(20:22):
legion auxiliary sweatshirt, youhave a decal the words right
out of my mouth that happens alot.
Jayce Chanda (20:27):
That happens a lot .
Jessica Peek (20:28):
They see it and they ask okay we do it, or or if
we see them right, if we see aveteran with you know, the
veteran ball cap and thefamilies with them, I mean we'll
, we'll sit down and startcarrying on a conversation with
them and and it's just recruit,recruit, recruit if somebody
wanted to join the auxiliary,but they have the thought I I'm
(20:49):
too busy, I don't have time.
Jerry Allhands (20:51):
It's just why you know I can't be involved.
Why should I join?
Jessica Peek (20:57):
So I think the biggest thing is membership
matters.
Our numbers matter.
When we're going in front ofCongress and we're advocating
for veterans' needs to be ableto say we have X number members.
That matters.
And so even if you can donatejust an hour of your time, right
is great, but if you're justthat too busy, just being a
(21:21):
member matters.
Jerry Allhands (21:24):
How long have you been in the auxiliary?
Jessica Peek (21:25):
So I'm going on my officially my five years with
the auxiliary.
I actually I am.
I am one of those people thathave supported this post for
about 20 years, but I thought Iwas too busy, um, so I never
officially joined and and I'mvery disappointed in myself now
because I wasn't too busy, um,and so I could have had more
(21:46):
years of service in with whatI'm doing.
But yeah, even if you thinkyou're too busy, you're really
not Jace.
Jerry Allhands (21:54):
how long have you been in?
Jayce Chanda (21:56):
Well, I'm going to give you a little prequel to
that answer.
The unit here at Nesbitt 1990was chartered in July of 2013.
So our unit is only relatively11 years old.
It you charter with 10 members.
(22:16):
We had our 10 members when Ijoined in 2014.
We had maybe 12.
We finished the year last yearwith 62 members.
The prior year we had more thanthat 63.
So we have grown in 10 years.
So I've been with this unit for11, 2014, 10 years, going on 11
(22:43):
years.
Jerry Allhands (22:44):
And did I understand correctly, you are
the past department president.
Correct Of the American LegionAuxiliary.
Correct In under 13 years.
Jayce Chanda (22:52):
Yes, sir.
Jerry Allhands (22:54):
That's a nice move.
Jayce Chanda (22:56):
It wasn't a move.
Jerry Allhands (23:01):
Nice, to be recognized by your peers and to
be able to lead from the frontwith the auxiliary.
In that scope, how doessomebody go from being a local
post member, auxiliary unitmember, to being department
president?
Jayce Chanda (23:17):
It has a lot to do with your desire, dedication,
your training and I have found,with a lot of those that have
done that, taken that journey,you want to do more and more and
you want to reach out furtherand further to our people out in
the world.
(23:38):
So to speak, it was we want toget our word, we want to spread
our word out.
We know our community betterthan National knows our
community and Nationalrecognizes that now because
they've changed their thoughtprocess, saying okay, we've got
20 programs that somebody canget involved in with the
(24:00):
American Legion Auxiliary, andthere were units that were
struggling to do something withevery program.
National came out and said notevery program, not every unit
has the same needs.
Focus on your community needs.
And when you focuscommunity-wise and they see you
out and about in your brand andour unit happens to be known as
(24:23):
the Red Shirts and they see ushaving a good time.
They us the camaraderie the wehave and they said and they see
what we're doing at the nursinghomes, the va homes, um project
packet, they say I want to be apart of that.
And they come up to us and theydo say well, I'm too big, I
(24:45):
work this and that andeverything I said.
Do you do things on weekends?
Do you come to some of theseevents and programs?
Well, yeah, and that's it.
Plus, we need the numbers toreport to Congress, to help
Congress know that there is aneed, a greater and greater need
, for services and benefits forour veterans in our military and
(25:08):
their families as well.
Jerry Allhands (25:10):
Absolutely so.
Everybody you know you get that.
I get that question all thetime.
How much is it going to cost IfI came to the American Legion
Auxiliary here at this post andsaid I want to join the
auxiliary and I was eligiblewhich I'm not but if I was
eligible which I'm not, but if Iwas, how much would I have to
give you to join the auxiliary?
Jayce Chanda (25:31):
for our local unit dues, which include the state
dues and the national dues, are$40.
It's different with every unitbut the minimum amount would be
$26 because 18 goes to nationaland eight goes to our department
.
Anything over that is goingtowards the unit and towards
(25:55):
their programs that theyimplement $40.
Jessica Peek (25:58):
$40 a year.
A year.
Jayce Chanda (26:00):
Unless they want to become a paid up member for
life, and that is based on yourage and the local unit's dues.
And then you make a flat, youpay one flat sum and you are a
member for life with theauxiliary.
Jerry Allhands (26:18):
You can't even go to dinner for $40.
And look what you get for it.
So I joined the auxiliary andI'm leaving Mississippi and I'm
traveling across the country Isee an American Legion post
that's got an auxiliary unitsign up front.
Can I go?
Jayce Chanda (26:31):
You're welcome everywhere.
Yeah, every American Legion inthe United States and the world.
Jerry Allhands (26:37):
How do I prove that I'm in the auxiliary unit?
Jayce Chanda (26:42):
I hope I'm allowed to say this, but we tell our
members don't go naked, and whatwe mean by that is don't go
anywhere without your membershipcard or a membership
application.
Jerry Allhands (26:55):
So I can say I'm in tennessee visiting over
there, and I walk in and I sayhey, I'd like to to attend your
meeting and I present mymembership id card.
All right, are they going towelcome me?
Yes, I hope so yeah, are yougoing to welcome me if I come
over here?
Jayce Chanda (27:14):
you're welcome anytime anytime, all right, all
right as a non-profitorganization and, uh, with our
statues in mississippi.
Uh, meetings are open to thegeneral public or to anyone at
any time, with one exception.
If it goes into what we call aclosed executive session at that
(27:35):
point, then they would not bewelcoming that.
But we have people come to ourmeetings all the time.
They're welcome beautiful.
Jerry Allhands (27:44):
so anywhere in the world there's an American
Legion, I'm welcome.
Yes, I know that the AmericanLegion has a preamble.
Does the auxiliary have apreamble?
Jayce Chanda (27:53):
Oh, yes, it does.
Jerry Allhands (27:54):
Okay, what I would like to ask you to do is
just each of you to pleaserecite individually, not
together as a group, but as anindividual.
Recite your preamble.
Jayce Chanda (28:05):
For God and country.
We associate ourselves togetherfor the following purposes To
uphold and defend theConstitution of the United
States of America.
To maintain law and order.
To foster and perpetuate a 100%Americanism.
To preserve the memories andincidents of our association in
(28:27):
all wars.
To inculcate a sense ofindividual obligation to the
community, state and nation.
To combat the autocracy of boththe classes and the masses.
To make right the master ofmight.
To promote peace and goodwillon earth.
Jessica Peek (28:47):
To safeguard and transmit to prosperity the
principles of justice, freedomand democracy.
To participate in andcontribute to the
accomplishments of the aims andpurpose of the American Legion.
To consecrate and sanctify ourassociation by our devotion to
mutual helpfulness.
Jerry Allhands (29:07):
Thank you all so much.
I appreciate you being heretoday and encourage you to join
us on the podcast.
We'll be reaching out andtraveling across the state of
Mississippi, visiting every post.
Is the is the hope that we'regoing to try for, so love it.
Hopefully we will be able tomake this happen and if you'd
like to support our podcast hereat the address and everything
will be at the end of this event, and please check out our
(29:28):
American Legion webpage.
It's msam legion.
org and there will be these twobeautiful ladies pitcher there
and unfortunately, I'm in thepicture as well, so I'll have to
deal with that.
Thank you so much and we willsee you next time.
Jayce Chanda (29:42):
Thank you for having us.
Thank you, Jerry, thank you.
Jerry Allhands (29:45):
And that was our visit with the American Legion
Auxiliary Unit 1990 in Nesbitt,Mississippi.
Be sure to join us next Mondaymorning as we travel to Camp
Shelby and sit down with theleadership of the American
Legion Auxiliary's MagnoliaGirls State Program.
Abby Burris (30:00):
Hey, I'm Abby Burrus.
I'm the Assistant Director ofMagnolia Girls State.
Please join us next Monday forthe Veterans Sound Off Podcast.
Hard work is what they say.
Jerry Allhands (30:10):
A very special thank you to Jonathan Michael
Fleming for his musical talents.
You can find his CDs and videoson Spotify, amazon Music and
YouTube.
We hope you've enjoyed thisepisode and look forward to your
feedback and ask that yousubscribe to and share the
(30:31):
Veterans Sound Off podcast withyour friends and family.
If you have a comment,suggestion or questions, or you
would like to become a supporterof this podcast, please send an
email to jdallhands@ outlookcom.
That's jdallhands@ outlookcomor by calling 662-902-6658 and
(30:54):
we'll get back to you as soon aspossible.
This has been a production ofAllhands Media LLC.
With offices in Rena-Lara,Mississippi.
All rights reserved.
This is the Veterans Sound Off Podcast.
Brandon Noe (00:03):
Hard work, work.
Jerry Allhands (00:04):
Let's get it going, let's go.
I'm your host, jerry Allhands, aveteran of the US Air Force and
Army and a Mississippi PastDepartment Commander of the
American Legion.
You are invited to join me aswe travel across the state of
Mississippi, visiting theAmerican Legion post in each
community.
Together we'll get to know theAmerican Legion family,
including the American LegionAuxiliary, the Sons of the
(00:25):
American Legion and the AmericanLegion Riders.
As we travel across the statewe'll visit with other groups
and organizations that areserving America's veterans and
their families.
Last week we returned topost-1990 in Nesbitt where we
sat down with members of theSons of the American Legion, and
(00:45):
before we get into today's show, here is a moment of that
conversation.
Why would a veteran or thechild or stepchild of a veteran?
Why would they want to join theSAL?
What would entice me to comeand become a member?
Brandon Noe (00:57):
Well, you get to learn more about.
You know what your father oryour mother did, you know for
our country.
You get to learn what they dofor your community.
You get to learn there'shistory involved in it.
You get to learn order anddiscipline.
Then there's other benefits toit, like there are the American
Legion College scholarships,there is Boys State Legion
(01:19):
baseball programs.
There's so many differentthings that a child can actually
go do later in life with it.
And should they decide thatthey want to be more of a member
in the legion and continueforward, say they become a
veteran when they get back out.
They can take that much likeDanny here has taken it and you
have and go to state and do realgood work for these people.
(01:43):
So you're teaching themsomething that's bigger than
oneself.
Jerry Allhands (01:51):
Next week we'll sit down with leaders of the
Magnolia Girls State program andlearn what to expect on the
campus of Ole Miss this June.
Abby Burris (01:58):
Hey, I'm Abby Burris.
I'm the assistant director ofMagnolia Girls State.
Please join us next Monday forthe Veterans Sound Off podcast.
Jerry Allhands (02:05):
And now let's return one last time to Nesbitt
and hear from a past DepartmentPresident of the American Legion
, Auxiliary.
Jayce Chanda (02:13):
Hello everyone.
My name is Jace Chanda.
I am the unit president ofNesbitt 1990.
Jessica Peek (02:22):
Hi, I'm Jessica Peek.
I'm a member of the 1990Auxiliary and I'm also our
District 2 President for theNorthern Area.
Jerry Allhands (02:29):
Again, we're in Nesbitt Mississippi.
Somebody tell me where inNesbitt Mississippi, how would I
find the post?
Jessica Peek (02:36):
Yeah, so you're gonna.
If you're coming up from theinterstate, we're right off
Interstate 55 at the PleasantHill exit and you're just going
to turn left coming off theinterstate and you're going to
actually run directly into thepost.
I think I did that one time,right straight into the doors.
Jayce Chanda (02:52):
I'm glad she's here because I'm directionally
challenged and I wouldn't havebeen able to tell anybody how to
get there well, I'm extremelydirectionally challenged, so
somebody give me a physicaladdress.
Jerry Allhands (03:02):
Anybody got a?
Yeah, sure, it's 1505 GwynnRoad, Nesbit, Mississippi, 38651
okay, see, now I heard Gwynn,but I could have swore you said
gwynn, gwynn g-w-y-n-n and thezip code 38651 okay, anybody got
a guess is why I asked you forthat so that we can get people
(03:25):
to come visit us and I use thegps.
Jayce Chanda (03:28):
It always gets it wrong anyway, okay funny thing
about our address is it's notrecognized by the post office
for mail.
What is that, don't know.
I just know that, uh, if you goto a bank and start an account,
uh, they have to pull up theaddress and it's not recognized.
(03:48):
So that's another thing.
And we're a little bit out ofthe way, so we're not on a
beaten path, so it's not likepeople can normally pass by and
say, oh, there's the AmericanLegion, you know, let's stop
there.
And our goal is to bring peoplein, show them what we can do,
how we service our veterans, ourmilitary, their families and
(04:09):
our communities.
Jerry Allhands (04:11):
And there's a big sign out front that says
American Legion.
Jayce Chanda (04:13):
It does too.
Jerry Allhands (04:14):
Yeah, and there's a bricked-in.
What is that?
Pole or something that I thinkI bumped into with the car one
time.
Jayce Chanda (04:24):
It's utility pipes and things like that.
And a couple years ago one ofthe auxiliary members decided we
needed to spruce it up.
So they got together theauxiliary the unit, got together
and did some housekeeping withit and put it up.
Jerry Allhands (04:43):
Made it real pretty.
Jessica Peek (04:44):
Pretty, beautifull .
Jerry Allhands (04:45):
So pretty, I even bumped into it.
So I've got to repaint the bush.
Jayce Chanda (04:48):
Not the only one, I'm sure.
Jerry Allhands (04:50):
So tell me let's start with Jace.
Jace, tell me about theAmerican Legion Auxiliary.
What is the American LegionAuxiliary?
Jayce Chanda (04:58):
Initially, the American Legion Auxiliary was
the world's largest veteranservice organization Female
veteran service organization.
But five years ago, recognizingthe need of the number
increasing number, especially offemale military and veterans,
the membership was open to malespouses.
(05:20):
So we are the sisters, thedaughters, the granddaughters,
the wives and the mothers andgrandmothers of veterans and
military.
Jerry Allhands (05:32):
So it's not the ladies auxiliary.
Jessica Peek (05:36):
No, sir, it's the American Legion auxiliary.
Jayce Chanda (05:38):
Yes.
Jerry Allhands (05:38):
Okay.
Although old habits are hard tobreak and you will hear us
referred to as the ladiesauxiliary many, many times, and
now that we know that it is theAmerican Legion auxiliary men
can be members.
Jayce Chanda (05:52):
Only if they are a male spouse of a female veteran
or active military.
Jerry Allhands (05:58):
Okay, so they have to be a spouse.
They can't be a child of aveteran.
Jayce Chanda (06:01):
No, sir and be a child of a veteran?
No sir.
The only one child are for thesons, but we encompass the
mothers, grandmothers, sisters,grandchildren and daughters.
Jerry Allhands (06:16):
So what makes you eligible to be in the
auxiliary?
Jayce Chanda (06:24):
I have a couple levels of eligibility.
My father was in the army inworld war ii, my two oldest
brothers were in the air forceduring vietnam and my husband is
a marine during vietnam.
So that's what qualifies me Iam the daughter, the sister and
the spouse of a veteran kind ofwell covered over there.
Jessica Peek (06:47):
I like that, jessica what makes you, an
auxiliary, eligible to be amember so I am eligible from my
deceased grandfather who servedin world war ii.
So I think it's reallyimportant to mention that, um to
join the auxiliary, yourveteran that you're connected to
doesn't have to be living.
They can be deceased.
Very good point.
Jerry Allhands (07:07):
Can they be a step relative, Can they?
Jayce Chanda (07:18):
is that make you eligible?
Jerry Allhands (07:19):
I mean like your stepfather, your stepmother,
only if the adoption has gonethrough.
Okay, so you have to be adoptedby the step parent.
Okay, all right, you have to beadopted by the step parent.
Okay, all right.
How would you prove that yourrelative was a service member?
Jayce Chanda (07:29):
If they are deceased, then for us they need
to present the discharge papers,and the discharge must be
honorable.
Brandon Noe (07:37):
Okay.
Jayce Chanda (07:38):
If the qualifying veteran or military is alive,
they must be a member of theAmerican Legion anywhere in the
world.
They do not have to be a memberof the post where that person
is trying to join, but if theirqualifying veteran or military
is still alive, they must be amember.
Jessica Peek (08:01):
Okay.
So with that discharge paper,which is commonly referred to as
the DD-214, a lot of times thatdeceased family member it's
really hard to get that DD-214.
So we've actually evenpartnered with some local
funeral homes that have beenable to help us get the military
records that we need to provetheir eligibility.
Jayce Chanda (08:21):
Also if they are getting va benefits, because the
veterans administration hascertain levels that qualify you
to receive those benefits.
That is something that can helpas well too, as well as
cemeteries, like if it's a vacemetery, something like that.
And for those generally fromworld war ii, older, that I
(08:44):
don't know exactly when theDD-214 was brought into place,
but they have discharge papersthat's why I said discharge
papers saying honorabledischarge.
Jerry Allhands (08:55):
And you can also go through your county veteran
service officer.
Jayce Chanda (08:57):
Yes, sir.
Jerry Allhands (08:58):
To get help with that.
Did that for a while.
Yeah, okay, so we're looking atthe American Legion Auxiliary
today.
Why would somebody want to jointhe Auxiliary, Jessica?
Start with that one.
Jessica Peek (09:10):
You know, for me it is advocating and supporting
our local veterans and militaryin the community.
I purposely joined.
My purpose for joining theAmerican Legion Auxiliary was
that I had friends that were apart of the Mississippi Army
National Guard who served inIraq, who once discharged, come
(09:30):
back home to small town USA witha weird look in their eye and I
knew I didn't know how tohandle that.
But I knew my local AmericanLegion post did.
I knew that my friends couldwalk into a local post and that
another veteran would recognizethat look in their eyes.
So I wanted to make sure theyalways had a safe place to come
(09:52):
to and that was the reason thatI joined.
Jerry Allhands (09:54):
I like that reason.
Chase, what did you join theauxiliary?
Jayce Chanda (10:00):
I joined it looking for the purpose of
serving our veterans, servingour military community and their
families.
Now I repeat that over and overagain.
When I was the state presidentof the American Legion Auxiliary
, my motto was continuing themission.
(10:24):
The mission, that is themission of the ALA, the
auxiliary, american Legionauxiliary, and it is a family to
come home to.
We strive here at Nesbitt 1990to make that camaraderie
(10:44):
available to everyone,especially our veterans.
As Jessica said, there's a lookin their eyes and they have a
place to come to where somebodyelse understands.
They have a place to come towhere they can just go.
Ah, I'm home, I'm safe, I'mwith friends, I'm safe.
(11:05):
I like that, and that was agreat opportunity to do that.
Jerry Allhands (11:12):
If somebody joins the auxiliary and wants to
be actively involved inauxiliary, is there training
that's given?
Is there online training?
On-post training?
Jayce Chanda (11:23):
There's a variety of training.
Yes, there's online trainingprovided by our national
headquarters At our unitmeetings, monthly meetings.
We've been doing this for thelast five years.
We start our meetings off afterwe do our prayer and preamble
and Pledge of Allegiance.
We start our meetings off withat least two items of training
(11:48):
for our members.
All new members are given apacket of information how to
contact their officers.
They're given information onthe various programs that the
American Legion Auxiliary hasand we have mentors within the
unit.
We have mentors within thestate that if you want more
(12:10):
information, we tell them whereto go, how to go, and if we
don't know the answer, we findit for them.
So yes, it's an ongoing, it's anever-ending training and I
will say this, having personallybeen involved in doing the
training and mentoring sometimeswhen you're doing it you get
these blank eyes, but thensomething comes up and the light
(12:34):
bulb goes on and their eyeslight up and they say I know
that, I heard that.
So it works.
I'm very proud of the membershere at 1990 because they carry
the word, they carry the missionand they carry their training.
I like that.
Jerry Allhands (12:52):
Give me an example, Jessica, of something
that's going on with theauxiliary in the local community
.
That will benefit your members,a veteran, the community as
itself.
Jessica Peek (13:04):
So I think one of the big things that the
auxiliary is focusing on thisyear in our partnership with the
American Legion is 988, ourveteran crisis line.
So we're really pushing thatmessage, making sure that our
community knows about 988 andthe importance of veteran
suicide and preventing veteransuicide and knowing that that
(13:27):
resource is available.
That's a really hot topic forus.
Jerry Allhands (13:31):
Yes, it is, that's the Be the One program.
Jessica Peek (13:33):
The Be the One program.
Yes, sir.
Jerry Allhands (13:35):
How are you getting that message out to the
community?
Jessica Peek (13:39):
Well, for me personally, the first Friday of
every month you're going tocatch me wearing my Be the One
t-shirt I'm really big about.
If I'm out at a local storeshopping, I see a veteran.
I ask them hey, do you knowwhat 988 is?
I ask them if they know thatnumber.
So, instead of trying to figureout how to make it a part of a
conversation, I make it theconversation.
(14:00):
I was really excited here onHighway 51.
There's actually a billboard uptalking about 988 and veteran
crisis lines.
So that's great that you know.
We're really trying in thecommunity to get that out.
Jerry Allhands (14:13):
Okay, give me an example of a physical activity
that's going on in the community, from the auxiliary.
Jayce Chanda (14:18):
I mean is there well, we have quite a few
examples.
Uh, for one thing, we justfinished up the veterans parade
and, and as Jessica said,getting the word 988 out.
For the last two years, sincethis program has been
implemented at the nationallevel, we've had a placard with
(14:39):
our float in the Veterans Paradeand it's very prominent and we
display it during the parade.
We've had the training withinthe unit.
We've encouraged our members totake the online training with
that.
But one thing that we've beendoing for years locally is MS
Project Package.
(14:59):
Project Package sends carepackages to active military
year-round.
The organizer is a member ofthe American Legion, not our
post, but he is a member of theAmerican Legion here in
Mississippi and he started thatprogram and so every Thursday
(15:20):
here in it's actually SouthHaven, which is a neighboring
burg they prepare those packagesto send out.
Not only does our memberscollect items to donate for
those care packages, but we havefor the last five, six, seven
(15:41):
years given regular donationsbecause one of the biggest
expenses they have right now ispostage and we also go to when
they put the word out.
They need volunteers to helpcollect it, like the local
grocery stores and things likethat.
We also go to the VA VeteransHome.
(16:03):
We go to the Memphis MedicalCenter.
Even though it's in Tennessee,a big percentage of the patients
at the Memphis Medical Centerare from northern Mississippi
and we're in the northern area,so we cover those.
We make financial donations.
(16:24):
The Legion family here just thispast Sunday went and did
karaoke for the veterans at thehome and they just absolutely
love it, along with taking itemsfor them.
And then we have the upcomingChristmas shop that we've done
for years.
Members collect items to allowthe residents at the VA home to
(16:45):
go Christmas shopping for theirfamilies at absolutely no cost
to them.
We wrap the gifts for them andwe pay the postage for that to
send them, or we hand deliverthem if they're locally.
So those are, you know, thingswe're doing locally and if
there's a call out we're there.
Our members just don't thinktwice and it's real hard to get
(17:10):
them to report it because it'ssecond nature to them.
But the big thing is we havefun doing it.
Jerry Allhands (17:16):
There you go.
Jayce Chanda (17:17):
We feel good about doing it.
Jerry Allhands (17:20):
Give me an example of a call out Something
happens militarily,civilian-wise I mean so there's
an incident in the communityit's all of that.
Jayce Chanda (17:33):
If somebody puts out a need or one of our members
or one of the family members,and for those out there in
podcast land legion family weconsider is the american legion,
the american legion auxiliarythe sons of the American Legion
and the American Legion Riders,and we have all four factions of
(17:56):
that membership here atpost-1990, so it's a matter of
communication.
We hear of something for one,the rest of us jump right in and
you know we're doing whateverwe can, and it's usually not,
they just do, they don't thinktwice about it.
(18:18):
It's second nature to a lot ofus.
Jerry Allhands (18:21):
So do y'all meet as a group, separate group, and
say you know, I know that marydown the street needs some help
and we vote on it, go out and dothe job.
Jayce Chanda (18:30):
Or do y'all, all four family members, get
together and both, um,procedural wise, uh, you know,
it is the membership that has tosay of you know where our
assets are used.
Okay, so if we hear a need fromthe executive board from one of
(18:51):
the other factions and we canbring it to our membership to
vote on, they will vote.
It's like for christmas, we'redoing the angel trees and the
membership said we would likethe other half of the money that
we're going to donate to golocally to veterans and military
(19:11):
families.
So a lot of it's word of mouth,but the final say-so is our
members.
It's not a yeah, we're doingthis, and they find out after
the fact if we can help it.
Jerry Allhands (19:23):
I like that.
So, jess, if people areinterested in joining the
American Legion Auxiliary, canthey.
Do they have to contact anindividual?
Can they go online?
How do they?
How do they go about joiningthe American Legion Auxiliary?
Jessica Peek (19:36):
Oh, they can do it multiple ways.
I mean, obviously, going onlineand completing an online
application is one way, but Ithink that it's really important
to be connected with the unit.
I think that it's reallyimportant to be connected with
the unit, so they're more thanwelcome to come visit us here at
the unit, here at the post.
We always have one of us here.
They can talk with us.
We keep applications downstairsfor our members to grab.
(19:58):
We're here to talk to them.
A lot of times we're in thecommunity and we recruit that
way and we just really strike upa conversation and invite them
to our meetings or invite themto an upcoming event that we're
doing, and we almost get theminvolved immediately, even
before they've officiallycompleted their paperwork so if
somebody was to notice thatyou're wearing an american
(20:22):
legion auxiliary sweatshirt, youhave a decal the words right
out of my mouth that happens alot.
Jayce Chanda (20:27):
That happens a lot .
Jessica Peek (20:28):
They see it and they ask okay we do it, or or if
we see them right, if we see aveteran with you know, the
veteran ball cap and thefamilies with them, I mean we'll
, we'll sit down and startcarrying on a conversation with
them and and it's just recruit,recruit, recruit if somebody
wanted to join the auxiliary,but they have the thought I I'm
(20:49):
too busy, I don't have time.
Jerry Allhands (20:51):
It's just why you know I can't be involved.
Why should I join?
Jessica Peek (20:57):
So I think the biggest thing is membership
matters.
Our numbers matter.
When we're going in front ofCongress and we're advocating
for veterans' needs to be ableto say we have X number members.
That matters.
And so even if you can donatejust an hour of your time, right
is great, but if you're justthat too busy, just being a
(21:21):
member matters.
Jerry Allhands (21:24):
How long have you been in the auxiliary?
Jessica Peek (21:25):
So I'm going on my officially my five years with
the auxiliary.
I actually I am.
I am one of those people thathave supported this post for
about 20 years, but I thought Iwas too busy, um, so I never
officially joined and and I'mvery disappointed in myself now
because I wasn't too busy, um,and so I could have had more
(21:46):
years of service in with whatI'm doing.
But yeah, even if you thinkyou're too busy, you're really
not Jace.
Jerry Allhands (21:54):
how long have you been in?
Jayce Chanda (21:56):
Well, I'm going to give you a little prequel to
that answer.
The unit here at Nesbitt 1990was chartered in July of 2013.
So our unit is only relatively11 years old.
It you charter with 10 members.
(22:16):
We had our 10 members when Ijoined in 2014.
We had maybe 12.
We finished the year last yearwith 62 members.
The prior year we had more thanthat 63.
So we have grown in 10 years.
So I've been with this unit for11, 2014, 10 years, going on 11
(22:43):
years.
Jerry Allhands (22:44):
And did I understand correctly, you are
the past department president.
Correct Of the American LegionAuxiliary.
Correct In under 13 years.
Jayce Chanda (22:52):
Yes, sir.
Jerry Allhands (22:54):
That's a nice move.
Jayce Chanda (22:56):
It wasn't a move.
Jerry Allhands (23:01):
Nice, to be recognized by your peers and to
be able to lead from the frontwith the auxiliary.
In that scope, how doessomebody go from being a local
post member, auxiliary unitmember, to being department
president?
Jayce Chanda (23:17):
It has a lot to do with your desire, dedication,
your training and I have found,with a lot of those that have
done that, taken that journey,you want to do more and more and
you want to reach out furtherand further to our people out in
the world.
(23:38):
So to speak, it was we want toget our word, we want to spread
our word out.
We know our community betterthan National knows our
community and Nationalrecognizes that now because
they've changed their thoughtprocess, saying okay, we've got
20 programs that somebody canget involved in with the
(24:00):
American Legion Auxiliary, andthere were units that were
struggling to do something withevery program.
National came out and said notevery program, not every unit
has the same needs.
Focus on your community needs.
And when you focuscommunity-wise and they see you
out and about in your brand andour unit happens to be known as
(24:23):
the Red Shirts and they see ushaving a good time.
They us the camaraderie the wehave and they said and they see
what we're doing at the nursinghomes, the va homes, um project
packet, they say I want to be apart of that.
And they come up to us and theydo say well, I'm too big, I
(24:45):
work this and that andeverything I said.
Do you do things on weekends?
Do you come to some of theseevents and programs?
Well, yeah, and that's it.
Plus, we need the numbers toreport to Congress, to help
Congress know that there is aneed, a greater and greater need
, for services and benefits forour veterans in our military and
(25:08):
their families as well.
Jerry Allhands (25:10):
Absolutely so.
Everybody you know you get that.
I get that question all thetime.
How much is it going to cost IfI came to the American Legion
Auxiliary here at this post andsaid I want to join the
auxiliary and I was eligiblewhich I'm not but if I was
eligible which I'm not, but if Iwas, how much would I have to
give you to join the auxiliary?
Jayce Chanda (25:31):
for our local unit dues, which include the state
dues and the national dues, are$40.
It's different with every unitbut the minimum amount would be
$26 because 18 goes to nationaland eight goes to our department
.
Anything over that is goingtowards the unit and towards
(25:55):
their programs that theyimplement $40.
Jessica Peek (25:58):
$40 a year.
A year.
Jayce Chanda (26:00):
Unless they want to become a paid up member for
life, and that is based on yourage and the local unit's dues.
And then you make a flat, youpay one flat sum and you are a
member for life with theauxiliary.
Jerry Allhands (26:18):
You can't even go to dinner for $40.
And look what you get for it.
So I joined the auxiliary andI'm leaving Mississippi and I'm
traveling across the country Isee an American Legion post
that's got an auxiliary unitsign up front.
Can I go?
Jayce Chanda (26:31):
You're welcome everywhere.
Yeah, every American Legion inthe United States and the world.
Jerry Allhands (26:37):
How do I prove that I'm in the auxiliary unit?
Jayce Chanda (26:42):
I hope I'm allowed to say this, but we tell our
members don't go naked, and whatwe mean by that is don't go
anywhere without your membershipcard or a membership
application.
Jerry Allhands (26:55):
So I can say I'm in tennessee visiting over
there, and I walk in and I sayhey, I'd like to to attend your
meeting and I present mymembership id card.
All right, are they going towelcome me?
Yes, I hope so yeah, are yougoing to welcome me if I come
over here?
Jayce Chanda (27:14):
you're welcome anytime anytime, all right, all
right as a non-profitorganization and, uh, with our
statues in mississippi.
Uh, meetings are open to thegeneral public or to anyone at
any time, with one exception.
If it goes into what we call aclosed executive session at that
(27:35):
point, then they would not bewelcoming that.
But we have people come to ourmeetings all the time.
They're welcome beautiful.
Jerry Allhands (27:44):
so anywhere in the world there's an American
Legion, I'm welcome.
Yes, I know that the AmericanLegion has a preamble.
Does the auxiliary have apreamble?
Jayce Chanda (27:53):
Oh, yes, it does.
Jerry Allhands (27:54):
Okay, what I would like to ask you to do is
just each of you to pleaserecite individually, not
together as a group, but as anindividual.
Recite your preamble.
Jayce Chanda (28:05):
For God and country.
We associate ourselves togetherfor the following purposes To
uphold and defend theConstitution of the United
States of America.
To maintain law and order.
To foster and perpetuate a 100%Americanism.
To preserve the memories andincidents of our association in
(28:27):
all wars.
To inculcate a sense ofindividual obligation to the
community, state and nation.
To combat the autocracy of boththe classes and the masses.
To make right the master ofmight.
To promote peace and goodwillon earth.
Jessica Peek (28:47):
To safeguard and transmit to prosperity the
principles of justice, freedomand democracy.
To participate in andcontribute to the
accomplishments of the aims andpurpose of the American Legion.
To consecrate and sanctify ourassociation by our devotion to
mutual helpfulness.
Jerry Allhands (29:07):
Thank you all so much.
I appreciate you being heretoday and encourage you to join
us on the podcast.
We'll be reaching out andtraveling across the state of
Mississippi, visiting every post.
Is the is the hope that we'regoing to try for, so love it.
Hopefully we will be able tomake this happen and if you'd
like to support our podcast hereat the address and everything
will be at the end of this event, and please check out our
(29:28):
American Legion webpage.
It's msam legion.
org and there will be these twobeautiful ladies pitcher there
and unfortunately, I'm in thepicture as well, so I'll have to
deal with that.
Thank you so much and we willsee you next time.
Jayce Chanda (29:42):
Thank you for having us.
Thank you, Jerry, thank you.
Jerry Allhands (29:45):
And that was our visit with the American Legion
Auxiliary Unit 1990 in Nesbitt,Mississippi.
Be sure to join us next Mondaymorning as we travel to Camp
Shelby and sit down with theleadership of the American
Legion Auxiliary's MagnoliaGirls State Program.
Abby Burris (30:00):
Hey, I'm Abby Burrus.
I'm the Assistant Director ofMagnolia Girls State.
Please join us next Monday forthe Veterans Sound Off Podcast.
Hard work is what they say.
Jerry Allhands (30:10):
A very special thank you to Jonathan Michael
Fleming for his musical talents.
You can find his CDs and videoson Spotify, amazon Music and
YouTube.
We hope you've enjoyed thisepisode and look forward to your
feedback and ask that yousubscribe to and share the
(30:31):
Veterans Sound Off podcast withyour friends and family.
If you have a comment,suggestion or questions, or you
would like to become a supporterof this podcast, please send an
email to jdallhands@ outlookcom.
That's jdallhands@ outlookcomor by calling 662-902-6658 and
(30:54):
we'll get back to you as soon aspossible.
This has been a production ofAllhands Media LLC.
With offices in Rena-Lara,Mississippi.
All rights reserved.
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