April 20, 2025 • 21 mins
Jerry Allhands sits down with Trish Ward, the 2024-2025 American Legion Auxiliary National President, for a compelling conversation that reveals the heart of the American Legion family's mission to support veterans across America.
At the Oxford VA Home in Mississippi, President Ward shares her remarkable journey from California transplant to national leadership. After relocating to Kansas in 1999, a simple invitation from her realtor—an Auxiliary member—changed the trajectory of her life. Eligible through her father's WWII Army service, Ward's 25-year journey through local and national leadership positions demonstrates how the Legion family thrives through personal connections and mentorship.
Ward expertly clarifies eligibility requirements for the American Legion family's different branches, including recent changes allowing spouses of female veterans to join the Auxiliary. She addresses a common concern with refreshing honesty: even those "too busy" to attend meetings can make a profound difference through membership dues that fund critical programs supporting veterans, military families, and children.
The conversation takes a poignant turn as Ward discusses the "Be the One" initiative targeting veteran suicide prevention. She shares the story of a Mississippi family who, after losing their veteran son, created "Ronnie's Retreat" to help others struggling with mental health challenges. This work connects directly to the Legion's founding purpose—providing the camaraderie veterans often miss after service.
From junior Auxiliary members creating door decorations for VA home residents to the legislative advocacy that shapes veteran policy, Ward illuminates how the Legion family combines personal connection with national impact. Whether you're Legion-eligible or simply care about veterans' wellbeing, this episode offers a moving look at an organization still "leading the way" after more than a century of service.
Subscribe to Veterans Sound Off to hear more stories of those supporting America's heroes, and call 662-902-6658 to learn how you can help keep these important conversations going.
Don't forget to subscribe and share with your friends and family. Drop us a line today at JDAllhands@outlook.com. If you'd like to become a sponsor of our show or advertise with us please send an email to jdallhands@outlook.com or call us at 662-902-6658.
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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.
I'm your host, jerry Allhands,a veteran of the US Air Force
and Army and a Mississippi PastDepartment Commander of the
American Legion.
Each week since January 1st, wehave visited an American Legion
post and with the Legion familythere, to include the Legion
Auxiliary, the Sons of theAmerican Legion and the Legion
(00:23):
Riders.
Along the way, we have visitedwith various groups and
individuals who are supportingour veterans.
In today's episode, we're goingto look back at some of those
who are supporting our veterans,but before we do, I must say
thank you to everyone who hasfinancially supported this
podcast.
Without your contributions,your gifts and your financial
support, we could not make thisseries possible.
(00:45):
It takes a lot of time andeffort to make this series and
the cost is substantial.
We receive no grants and haveno corporate sponsors.
We are solely dependent on yoursupport.
Every dollar counts and is verymuch appreciated.
If you would like to help keepthis program going, please call
662-902-6658 and leave a message.
(01:09):
One of us will call you back assoon as possible.
Again, thank you very much foryour support and your prayers.
Well, we just wrapped up Season1 with the last day of winter
2025, and this will be thesecond episode of Season 2 into
the spring of 2025.
And now let's look back at someof those groups and individuals
(01:29):
who have been supporting ourveterans.
Sit down in Oxford, mississippi,at the Oxford VA Home with
Trish Ward, the NationalAuxiliary President, and learn
firsthand from her about theawesome things the Legion
Auxiliary does to support ourveterans and the American Legion
.
The highlight of the day takesplace in the Chapel of the
Mississippi State Veterans Home,located at 120 Center Ridge
(01:50):
Road in Oxford.
That's where we met with adelegation from the American
Legion Auxiliary, sarah Lassiter, tina Hurst and Mary Jo Abraham
, who were escorting today'sguest.
This episode is brought to youwithout interruption thanks to a
gift made by a person whowishes to remain anonymous and
who so very much enjoyed ourguest visit to Mississippi that
(02:12):
they wanted her interview to airuninterrupted.
And welcome to the VeteransSound Off podcast with Jerry
Allhands.
I am in Oxford, mississippi,today with a very, very special
guest, a lady who has traveledwell, shall we say, coast to
coast probably several nationsalready by now, I'm sure and it
is my great pleasure tointroduce you to the 2024-2025
(02:35):
American Legion AuxiliaryNational President, mrs Trish
Ward.
Trish Ward (02:39):
Welcome ma'am, thank you so much for that
introduction, and, before we getstarted, I always like to begin
these kinds of things with aprayer.
The American Legion Auxiliarysupports our service members,
their families and our veterans,so as we begin a new year, this
seems like an appropriate timeto come together in the spirit
(03:00):
of your own faith, as we prayfor peace for our country, peace
for our planet and especiallypeace and safety for our service
members who are serving abroadand domestically.
May they all come home safely,may they all be safe and may we
protect them forever and always,along with their families.
Amen.
Jerry Allhands (03:19):
Amen.
It means so much to me to haveyou here today and to have you
in Mississippi, and I knowyou've been here for several
days.
I hope you've enjoyed yourselfand we've treated you well and
hopefully you'll come back to us.
Trish Ward (03:31):
Thank you so much for that.
Yes, it's been an amazing 120days.
I was installed as nationalpresident at our convention in
New Orleans, louisiana, onAugust 28th 2024.
So I've been doing this nowjust about 120 days plus.
I've traveled to 18 differentdepartments and, of course, here
(03:51):
in the American Legion familywe call our states departments.
So I've been to 18 states.
I've been three times to ournation's capital, which was
absolutely amazing, as I laid awreath of remembrance at the
Tomb of the Unknown on VeteransDay and I was also there for
Wreaths Across America, whichwas an amazing opportunity to be
at Arlington to lay wreaths onsome very, very special memorial
(04:14):
stones which I'd love to tellyou a little bit about.
I'm a huge believer andadvocate for the story of the
four chaplains and I know thefamily of George Fox, who was
one of the four chaplains wholost his life on the USAT
Dorchester on February 3rd 1944.
And we're coming up on FourChaplains Day soon and it was so
(04:35):
special for me to lay a wreathat his memorial stone.
I was with his family when welaid that stone in September of
2024.
It was actually my firstopportunity when I became
national president.
It was extremely memorable.
So I've been on the road havinga wonderful time meeting our
members, especially acrossgrassroots America.
Jerry Allhands (04:55):
I was checking out your bio recently and I see
that you're from Kansas.
Trish Ward (04:58):
Well, that's correct .
I represent the Department ofKansas.
I'm originally from Californiabut I relocated to my husband's
native Kansas in 1999, where,gratefully, we found the Legion
family and I am a proud member,paid up for life member, of John
P Hand Unit 250 in Lewisburg,kansas, where my husband is a
proud sons of the AmericanLegion.
So we are a Legion family andwe believe in supporting the
(05:22):
American Legion family, as we dowith our children and
grandchildren and a fewgreat-grandchildren as well.
Jerry Allha (05:28):
Great-grandchildren , great-grandchildren.
I'm sorry, I have a very hardtime believing that, because I'm
looking across at you and youare so young.
Trish Ward (05:35):
I know I'm only 29.
Not really, no.
My husband and I are very proudof our newest great-grandson,
everett Cohen, who is just abouta year old, and he is a proud
member of the Sons of theAmerican Legion.
So we believe in becoming afull Legion family and we hope
that the American Legion familyacross our nation continues to
thrive and grow.
Jerry Allhands (05:57):
I'm a total advocate with you there.
I appreciate that so much.
My own grandchildren are in theSons and the Auxiliary.
I guess she would be a junior.
She's a junior in high schoolthis year.
Hard to believe.
Trish Ward (06:11):
Okay, well, I got to put a plug in there for Girl
State.
Then, if she's a junior in highschool, got to tell our
listeners about the AmericanLegion Boys State experience and
American Legion Auxiliary GirlsState.
Because, as a representative ofthe American Legion family, I
support Jim LeCourcier, ournational commander, and Joseph
Nafferrette, the sons of theAmerican Legion national
commander, and we are hugeadvocates of the Boys State and
(06:31):
Girls State program, which isfor our young people who have
just graduated from their junioryear of high school.
In every state across thecountry and here in the great
state of Mississippi we cometogether early in the summer and
we teach our young people aboutbeing good citizens and they
create their own cities and theyrun for office and they write
bills and they learn a littlebit more about the American
(06:54):
Legion experience and certainlyour country, and it's a fabulous
program.
So if you have young men oryoung women having just
graduated from their junior yearof high school, check out Boys
State and Girls State.
Jerry Allhands (07:04):
Oh, they'll love it.
And speaking of that, our BoysState program is this May 25th
through the 31st.
You can find more informationon that at their website,
wwwmsboysstatecom, or by callingthe Mississippi American Legion
Adjutant, Deborah Fielder, at601-497-5079.
(07:27):
And Girls State is just about aweek later, June 8th through
the 13th.
For more information on that,go to
wwwalamississippigirlstatecom.
Both programs are happeningright here in Oxford on the
campus of Ole Miss.
How did you come to be in theAmerican Legion Auxiliary, what
(07:48):
makes you eligible to be anauxiliary member and why join?
Trish Ward (07:51):
the.
Jerry Allhands (07:51):
American Legion Auxiliary.
What makes you eligible to bean Auxiliary?
Trish Ward (07:52):
member and why join the American Legion Auxiliary?
Well, I am from California, asI mentioned, and my husband
wanted to relocate to his nativeKansas.
So we did and I left everything.
I left my family, I left myfriends, I left a job and I
believed in building a new lifewith my husband in a place that
(08:13):
he wanted us to go forward.
So we relocated to his nativeKansas and the Midwest has been
really good to us.
But it was my realtor who sortof saw that maybe I needed to
meet some people and maybe Iwould benefit from the Legion
experience.
So it was my realtor that saidwhy don't you join the Legion?
And I'm so grateful to herbecause I'm not sure that in
(08:36):
California the Legion familywould have found me.
I didn't really.
My father wasn't a member,although I'm eligible for this
organization under his World WarII service in the United States
Army and also my grandfather'sWorld War II service as a United
States Navy CB.
So I'm eligible for thisorganization through my family
members and I'm so grateful thatI'm a member in Lewisburg,
(08:59):
kansas, and that my realtor setme up for excellence and said
why don't you join our unit?
It was the best thing that everhappened to me.
Jerry Allhands (09:06):
So it's true, anyone can join the American
Legion through an invitationlike that.
Trish Ward (09:12):
Well, anyone who's eligible can join the American
Legion family.
So let's talk about that alittle bit, please.
Our eligibility for theAmerican Legion family is
actually determined by theAmerican Legion and the American
Legion was chartered byCongress, and the American
Legion Auxiliary and the Sons ofthe American Legion and also
the American Legion Riders arepart of the Legion family.
(09:33):
So in the American LegionAuxiliary we are eligible
through the service of animmediate family member within
two degrees of a very fancy wordcalled consanguinity, and what
that really means is just twodegrees from the veteran himself
or herself.
I should also mention thatfemale veterans are eligible
(09:54):
under their own service and thatmen of female veterans are
eligible for the American LegionAuxiliary, and that is pretty
new.
Just a few years back theAmerican Legion adjusted our
eligibility and they changed oneword from wife to spouse.
So a spouse of a female veteranor male veteran is eligible to
(10:16):
join the American LegionAuxiliary.
Now, a little bit different forthe sons of the American Legion.
They are a program of theAmerican Legion and it is for
young men who are eligiblethrough the service of a male
descendant in their familyfather, grandfather,
great-grandfather.
The American Legion ridersaccept eligibility from a
(10:39):
Legionnaire, an American Legionauxiliary member or sons of the
American Legion member.
In order to be a rider you mustbe a member of the Legion, the
sons or the auxiliary.
So that's a little bit aboutour eligibility.
But so many people in ourhistory have served and a lot of
times our young people justdon't realize that maybe Grandma
or Grandpa served.
So it's important that wecommunicate about that
(11:01):
eligibility and talk to ouryoung people about if they're
eligible.
Jerry Allhands (11:06):
That sounds great.
I'm curious about your realtor.
How did your realtor?
Was your realtor a auxiliarymember or Legion member?
Trish Ward (11:15):
My realtor was a member of the American Legion
Auxiliary.
Lewisburg, kansas, is a littletown.
It's a suburb of Kansas City.
We were just on the Kansas sideof the Missouri border and we
are a really thriving small town, very much like how the
American Legion was built, whichwas on small town America
really.
So my realtor was a member ofthe Unit 250 there in Lewisburg,
(11:38):
kansas, and she was doing whatlots of good business people do
they see potential members andthey try to grow their units.
So she was doing exactly whatwe wanted her to do, which is
reaching out to new peoplecoming into town, and I'm so
grateful that she did that.
Jerry Allhands (11:52):
I'm very grateful she did that.
I get to meet you because ofher.
Trish Ward (11:54):
Well, look what's happened to me since.
Jerry Allhands (11:57):
How long have you been in the auxiliary?
Trish Ward (11:58):
I joined in 1999 when we relocated to Kansas, so
that puts me at right about 25years and my journey in
leadership was like many membersof our organization.
We get involved in our unit andthey need people to step up.
We need leaders and they askedme to be a leader in my unit and
(12:19):
I gladly accepted.
I made a few missteps but I hada lot of people who supported
me and mentored me and helped meand showed me the way, which is
a little bit about my themethis year as national president,
which is leading the way and,as I tell people with the
American Legion haven't wealways led the way and we
certainly have since ourfounding, where we were integral
(12:42):
in supporting the concept ofthe VA, in support of Abraham
Lincoln's message that we willsupport all our veterans and, of
course, we support our Legionfamily as they advocate for
legislative growth for ourveterans.
We want to make sure that theirvoice is heard in Washington DC
and it's what we do best islegislate and be advocates for
(13:03):
our veterans.
Jerry Allhands (13:04):
If somebody wanted to join the Auxiliary,
but they, I'm just too busy, Idon't have enough time.
I really want to be a member,but I just what would you say to
those people?
Trish Ward (13:15):
Well, it happens often because the Legion family
isn't always for everyone andcertainly if there's no
eligibility, we always try tofind the opportunity for
everybody to serve, even if it'sin a volunteer capacity.
We have folks in my little townwho aren't eligible but who love
(13:35):
to come and support us, bothextra hands on deck and through
financial support.
But for those members who areeligible and maybe they work and
they have young families orthey just don't have time to fit
it in what I tell them is, ifyou believe in supporting a
family member who served ourcountry and you want to support
that individual and honor theirservice, join our organization
(13:59):
and those of us who do have timewill put those dues to very
good use supporting our veteransin the VA residences and
supporting our children throughour children and youth programs,
and supporting our militaryfamilies and our veterans
through our children and youthprograms, and supporting our
military families and ourveterans through our Veterans
Affairs and RehabilitationProgram.
So even though they can't maybeattend a meeting, we will put
(14:19):
those dues to good use.
So join an American Legionfamily in your small town or big
town and get involved.
And if you can't get involved,support the people who are
involved and they'll put yourmoney to good use Excellent.
Jerry Allhands (14:34):
Excellent, we were talking about the veterans
homes.
We're one today in OxfordMississippi.
Trish Ward (14:39):
In beautiful Oxford, Mississippi.
I understand that there areabout 117 veteran residents here
and I can't wait to meet someof them.
I'm here today because theAmerican Legion Auxiliary
juniors and I should alsomention, since we talked about
membership so much the AmericanLegion Auxiliary has two classes
of membership juniors andseniors.
And juniors are for youngpeople below the age of 18, and
(15:03):
then, of course, seniors, 18 andabove.
So we had a little activity afew days ago where our junior
members came and they did craftswhich I brought today to hang
on the doors of our veteranshere in Oxford, and it always
brings a smile to their facewhen they see these beautiful
little craft projects that ourjunior members do to recognize
and honor them.
Jerry Allhands (15:23):
If you have one thing to say to a resident here
what would you share with them?
Trish Ward (15:34):
a resident here.
What would you share with them?
Well, it's common and oftenthat we thank our veterans for
their service to our country,but I think it's also important
to look them in the eyes and totake their hand and hold their
hand and let them know that notonly do we say it, we really
mean it, and we mean it by theactions that we do.
So it's important to say thewords, but it's also important
to connect with them.
(15:55):
A lot of the people that livein the veterans' homes maybe
they don't have family membersand they don't have people to
connect with them, andconnecting is so important.
So our American LegionAuxiliary family does that in a
lot of ways, and especiallyaround the holidays recently
with our holiday gift shopswhere our veterans can come and
select gifts for their familymembers, and sometimes our
(16:17):
auxiliary members help them shop.
So it's that connection.
So what I would say to them iscertainly thank you for your
service, but also we will neverforget what you did to keep our
country free and we're going tohonor you every day.
In the American Legion, we havea mission that is a primary
mission of the organizationcalled Be the One, and it is
(16:39):
positioned to help our membersand citizens be the one to save
one.
We've spoken often about thetragedy of veteran suicide and
how unfortunately common it canbe.
Here in Mississippi I had theopportunity to meet a family of
a veteran who took his own lifeand they are doing amazing
(17:00):
things to honor him withRonnie's retreat here in
northern Mississippi, and theyare looking to build a compound
where veterans can come, be safe, be helped, be cared for and be
supported if they're on amental health journey.
So as we talk about the Be theOne mission, we're arming our
(17:20):
members to be sure to ask theright questions and to be able
to recognize when a veteran isstruggling and to intervene so
that the family, like Ronnie,doesn't have to go through what
they went through, nor shouldany veteran be struggling with
self-harm.
So our American Legion familyis absolutely committed to
making sure that we communicateabout that mission and that we
(17:42):
help all citizens and ourmembers be ready and willing to
talk and ask the hard questions.
The American Legion was foundedreally on that concept that our
veterans missed the camaraderiethat they had while they were
together in conflict, and sothey came together to found the
American Legion for the purposeto give veterans a place that
(18:03):
they can congregate and thatthey can support each other, and
that's really what we werefounded on.
So it still holds true today,even 104 plus years later.
Veterans, people who served ourcountry they miss that
camaraderie and that's what theAmerican Legion family brings to
them and why we're such asuccessful veteran service
organization.
We've been around 100 years.
(18:24):
We know how to do it, we knowwhat questions need to be asked
and we know when and where toget the job done.
So I can just say, here in thegreat state of Mississippi I've
met with many grassroots membersand Legionnaires and it's been
heartwarming to see the greatwork that the people in
Mississippi are doing.
Jerry Allhands (18:42):
Madam President, it has been a privilege and an
honor to have you here today.
Thank you so much for joiningus.
Trish Ward (18:47):
Thank you so much for the invite.
I've had a lovely time acrossthe great state of Mississippi.
I can't wait to come back.
I can't wait to meet moregrassroots members and today
have the opportunity to meetsome amazing veterans here in
Oxford.
And so, since we had such alovely conversation, would it be
okay if I closed with a prayer?
Jerry Allhands (19:04):
Please, please.
Trish Ward (19:06):
Thank you so much, in the spirit of faith, that I
had the opportunity to speak tothe community here in the great
state of Mississippi about thefantastic American Legion family
that resides in your beautifulMagnolia State.
I pray that if you hear thistransmission and if you're
eligible, that you'll seek outan American Legion family in
(19:27):
your community and join us.
Leading the way is absolutelythe way to go and we'd love to
have you aboard.
Please pray for our country,please pray for our service
members, our veterans and theirfamilies, and if you see a
veteran or a citizen struggling,please intervene to help them.
I do this in God's name, amen.
Jerry Allhands (19:51):
Thank you so much, thank you so much for your
time.
That was a brief look back atepisode three and our visit with
American Legion AuxiliaryNational President Trish Ward.
Be sure to take a listen to theentire interview as President
Ward talks about the care ofpatients, residents and staff at
VA facilities.
President Ward is leading theway in the American Legion
Auxiliary and she shares someoutstanding ideas on how we can
(20:13):
continue to grow this greatorganization.
All that and more can be heardin Season 1, episode 3.
Be sure to join me next time aswe revisit Episode 6 and catch
the excitement of the MagnoliaGirls State Program.
That's next time on theVeterans Sound Off Podcast, a
series that's made possiblethrough your financial support.
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Hard work we're fired up.
Hard work everybody's on theplane.
Hard work we do it for play.
Hard work.
Hard work, we do it for play.
Hard work, hard work it's whatthey say.
Hard work, hard work I earn mypay.
(21:38):
Hard work, work, hard work,work, hard work, work.
This is the Veterans Sound Off Podcast.
I'm your host, jerry Allhands,a veteran of the US Air Force
and Army and a Mississippi PastDepartment Commander of the
American Legion.
Each week since January 1st, wehave visited an American Legion
post and with the Legion familythere, to include the Legion
Auxiliary, the Sons of theAmerican Legion and the Legion
(00:23):
Riders.
Along the way, we have visitedwith various groups and
individuals who are supportingour veterans.
In today's episode, we're goingto look back at some of those
who are supporting our veterans,but before we do, I must say
thank you to everyone who hasfinancially supported this
podcast.
Without your contributions,your gifts and your financial
support, we could not make thisseries possible.
(00:45):
It takes a lot of time andeffort to make this series and
the cost is substantial.
We receive no grants and haveno corporate sponsors.
We are solely dependent on yoursupport.
Every dollar counts and is verymuch appreciated.
If you would like to help keepthis program going, please call
662-902-6658 and leave a message.
(01:09):
One of us will call you back assoon as possible.
Again, thank you very much foryour support and your prayers.
Well, we just wrapped up Season1 with the last day of winter
2025, and this will be thesecond episode of Season 2 into
the spring of 2025.
And now let's look back at someof those groups and individuals
(01:29):
who have been supporting ourveterans.
Sit down in Oxford, mississippi,at the Oxford VA Home with
Trish Ward, the NationalAuxiliary President, and learn
firsthand from her about theawesome things the Legion
Auxiliary does to support ourveterans and the American Legion
.
The highlight of the day takesplace in the Chapel of the
Mississippi State Veterans Home,located at 120 Center Ridge
(01:50):
Road in Oxford.
That's where we met with adelegation from the American
Legion Auxiliary, sarah Lassiter, tina Hurst and Mary Jo Abraham
, who were escorting today'sguest.
This episode is brought to youwithout interruption thanks to a
gift made by a person whowishes to remain anonymous and
who so very much enjoyed ourguest visit to Mississippi that
(02:12):
they wanted her interview to airuninterrupted.
And welcome to the VeteransSound Off podcast with Jerry
Allhands.
I am in Oxford, mississippi,today with a very, very special
guest, a lady who has traveledwell, shall we say, coast to
coast probably several nationsalready by now, I'm sure and it
is my great pleasure tointroduce you to the 2024-2025
(02:35):
American Legion AuxiliaryNational President, mrs Trish
Ward.
Trish Ward (02:39):
Welcome ma'am, thank you so much for that
introduction, and, before we getstarted, I always like to begin
these kinds of things with aprayer.
The American Legion Auxiliarysupports our service members,
their families and our veterans,so as we begin a new year, this
seems like an appropriate timeto come together in the spirit
(03:00):
of your own faith, as we prayfor peace for our country, peace
for our planet and especiallypeace and safety for our service
members who are serving abroadand domestically.
May they all come home safely,may they all be safe and may we
protect them forever and always,along with their families.
Amen.
Jerry Allhands (03:19):
Amen.
It means so much to me to haveyou here today and to have you
in Mississippi, and I knowyou've been here for several
days.
I hope you've enjoyed yourselfand we've treated you well and
hopefully you'll come back to us.
Trish Ward (03:31):
Thank you so much for that.
Yes, it's been an amazing 120days.
I was installed as nationalpresident at our convention in
New Orleans, louisiana, onAugust 28th 2024.
So I've been doing this nowjust about 120 days plus.
I've traveled to 18 differentdepartments and, of course, here
(03:51):
in the American Legion familywe call our states departments.
So I've been to 18 states.
I've been three times to ournation's capital, which was
absolutely amazing, as I laid awreath of remembrance at the
Tomb of the Unknown on VeteransDay and I was also there for
Wreaths Across America, whichwas an amazing opportunity to be
at Arlington to lay wreaths onsome very, very special memorial
(04:14):
stones which I'd love to tellyou a little bit about.
I'm a huge believer andadvocate for the story of the
four chaplains and I know thefamily of George Fox, who was
one of the four chaplains wholost his life on the USAT
Dorchester on February 3rd 1944.
And we're coming up on FourChaplains Day soon and it was so
(04:35):
special for me to lay a wreathat his memorial stone.
I was with his family when welaid that stone in September of
2024.
It was actually my firstopportunity when I became
national president.
It was extremely memorable.
So I've been on the road havinga wonderful time meeting our
members, especially acrossgrassroots America.
Jerry Allhands (04:55):
I was checking out your bio recently and I see
that you're from Kansas.
Trish Ward (04:58):
Well, that's correct .
I represent the Department ofKansas.
I'm originally from Californiabut I relocated to my husband's
native Kansas in 1999, where,gratefully, we found the Legion
family and I am a proud member,paid up for life member, of John
P Hand Unit 250 in Lewisburg,kansas, where my husband is a
proud sons of the AmericanLegion.
So we are a Legion family andwe believe in supporting the
(05:22):
American Legion family, as we dowith our children and
grandchildren and a fewgreat-grandchildren as well.
Jerry Allha (05:28):
Great-grandchildren , great-grandchildren.
I'm sorry, I have a very hardtime believing that, because I'm
looking across at you and youare so young.
Trish Ward (05:35):
I know I'm only 29.
Not really, no.
My husband and I are very proudof our newest great-grandson,
everett Cohen, who is just abouta year old, and he is a proud
member of the Sons of theAmerican Legion.
So we believe in becoming afull Legion family and we hope
that the American Legion familyacross our nation continues to
thrive and grow.
Jerry Allhands (05:57):
I'm a total advocate with you there.
I appreciate that so much.
My own grandchildren are in theSons and the Auxiliary.
I guess she would be a junior.
She's a junior in high schoolthis year.
Hard to believe.
Trish Ward (06:11):
Okay, well, I got to put a plug in there for Girl
State.
Then, if she's a junior in highschool, got to tell our
listeners about the AmericanLegion Boys State experience and
American Legion Auxiliary GirlsState.
Because, as a representative ofthe American Legion family, I
support Jim LeCourcier, ournational commander, and Joseph
Nafferrette, the sons of theAmerican Legion national
commander, and we are hugeadvocates of the Boys State and
(06:31):
Girls State program, which isfor our young people who have
just graduated from their junioryear of high school.
In every state across thecountry and here in the great
state of Mississippi we cometogether early in the summer and
we teach our young people aboutbeing good citizens and they
create their own cities and theyrun for office and they write
bills and they learn a littlebit more about the American
(06:54):
Legion experience and certainlyour country, and it's a fabulous
program.
So if you have young men oryoung women having just
graduated from their junior yearof high school, check out Boys
State and Girls State.
Jerry Allhands (07:04):
Oh, they'll love it.
And speaking of that, our BoysState program is this May 25th
through the 31st.
You can find more informationon that at their website,
wwwmsboysstatecom, or by callingthe Mississippi American Legion
Adjutant, Deborah Fielder, at601-497-5079.
(07:27):
And Girls State is just about aweek later, June 8th through
the 13th.
For more information on that,go to
wwwalamississippigirlstatecom.
Both programs are happeningright here in Oxford on the
campus of Ole Miss.
How did you come to be in theAmerican Legion Auxiliary, what
(07:48):
makes you eligible to be anauxiliary member and why join?
Trish Ward (07:51):
the.
Jerry Allhands (07:51):
American Legion Auxiliary.
What makes you eligible to bean Auxiliary?
Trish Ward (07:52):
member and why join the American Legion Auxiliary?
Well, I am from California, asI mentioned, and my husband
wanted to relocate to his nativeKansas.
So we did and I left everything.
I left my family, I left myfriends, I left a job and I
believed in building a new lifewith my husband in a place that
(08:13):
he wanted us to go forward.
So we relocated to his nativeKansas and the Midwest has been
really good to us.
But it was my realtor who sortof saw that maybe I needed to
meet some people and maybe Iwould benefit from the Legion
experience.
So it was my realtor that saidwhy don't you join the Legion?
And I'm so grateful to herbecause I'm not sure that in
(08:36):
California the Legion familywould have found me.
I didn't really.
My father wasn't a member,although I'm eligible for this
organization under his World WarII service in the United States
Army and also my grandfather'sWorld War II service as a United
States Navy CB.
So I'm eligible for thisorganization through my family
members and I'm so grateful thatI'm a member in Lewisburg,
(08:59):
kansas, and that my realtor setme up for excellence and said
why don't you join our unit?
It was the best thing that everhappened to me.
Jerry Allhands (09:06):
So it's true, anyone can join the American
Legion through an invitationlike that.
Trish Ward (09:12):
Well, anyone who's eligible can join the American
Legion family.
So let's talk about that alittle bit, please.
Our eligibility for theAmerican Legion family is
actually determined by theAmerican Legion and the American
Legion was chartered byCongress, and the American
Legion Auxiliary and the Sons ofthe American Legion and also
the American Legion Riders arepart of the Legion family.
(09:33):
So in the American LegionAuxiliary we are eligible
through the service of animmediate family member within
two degrees of a very fancy wordcalled consanguinity, and what
that really means is just twodegrees from the veteran himself
or herself.
I should also mention thatfemale veterans are eligible
(09:54):
under their own service and thatmen of female veterans are
eligible for the American LegionAuxiliary, and that is pretty
new.
Just a few years back theAmerican Legion adjusted our
eligibility and they changed oneword from wife to spouse.
So a spouse of a female veteranor male veteran is eligible to
(10:16):
join the American LegionAuxiliary.
Now, a little bit different forthe sons of the American Legion.
They are a program of theAmerican Legion and it is for
young men who are eligiblethrough the service of a male
descendant in their familyfather, grandfather,
great-grandfather.
The American Legion ridersaccept eligibility from a
(10:39):
Legionnaire, an American Legionauxiliary member or sons of the
American Legion member.
In order to be a rider you mustbe a member of the Legion, the
sons or the auxiliary.
So that's a little bit aboutour eligibility.
But so many people in ourhistory have served and a lot of
times our young people justdon't realize that maybe Grandma
or Grandpa served.
So it's important that wecommunicate about that
(11:01):
eligibility and talk to ouryoung people about if they're
eligible.
Jerry Allhands (11:06):
That sounds great.
I'm curious about your realtor.
How did your realtor?
Was your realtor a auxiliarymember or Legion member?
Trish Ward (11:15):
My realtor was a member of the American Legion
Auxiliary.
Lewisburg, kansas, is a littletown.
It's a suburb of Kansas City.
We were just on the Kansas sideof the Missouri border and we
are a really thriving small town, very much like how the
American Legion was built, whichwas on small town America
really.
So my realtor was a member ofthe Unit 250 there in Lewisburg,
(11:38):
kansas, and she was doing whatlots of good business people do
they see potential members andthey try to grow their units.
So she was doing exactly whatwe wanted her to do, which is
reaching out to new peoplecoming into town, and I'm so
grateful that she did that.
Jerry Allhands (11:52):
I'm very grateful she did that.
I get to meet you because ofher.
Trish Ward (11:54):
Well, look what's happened to me since.
Jerry Allhands (11:57):
How long have you been in the auxiliary?
Trish Ward (11:58):
I joined in 1999 when we relocated to Kansas, so
that puts me at right about 25years and my journey in
leadership was like many membersof our organization.
We get involved in our unit andthey need people to step up.
We need leaders and they askedme to be a leader in my unit and
(12:19):
I gladly accepted.
I made a few missteps but I hada lot of people who supported
me and mentored me and helped meand showed me the way, which is
a little bit about my themethis year as national president,
which is leading the way and,as I tell people with the
American Legion haven't wealways led the way and we
certainly have since ourfounding, where we were integral
(12:42):
in supporting the concept ofthe VA, in support of Abraham
Lincoln's message that we willsupport all our veterans and, of
course, we support our Legionfamily as they advocate for
legislative growth for ourveterans.
We want to make sure that theirvoice is heard in Washington DC
and it's what we do best islegislate and be advocates for
(13:03):
our veterans.
Jerry Allhands (13:04):
If somebody wanted to join the Auxiliary,
but they, I'm just too busy, Idon't have enough time.
I really want to be a member,but I just what would you say to
those people?
Trish Ward (13:15):
Well, it happens often because the Legion family
isn't always for everyone andcertainly if there's no
eligibility, we always try tofind the opportunity for
everybody to serve, even if it'sin a volunteer capacity.
We have folks in my little townwho aren't eligible but who love
(13:35):
to come and support us, bothextra hands on deck and through
financial support.
But for those members who areeligible and maybe they work and
they have young families orthey just don't have time to fit
it in what I tell them is, ifyou believe in supporting a
family member who served ourcountry and you want to support
that individual and honor theirservice, join our organization
(13:59):
and those of us who do have timewill put those dues to very
good use supporting our veteransin the VA residences and
supporting our children throughour children and youth programs,
and supporting our militaryfamilies and our veterans
through our children and youthprograms, and supporting our
military families and ourveterans through our Veterans
Affairs and RehabilitationProgram.
So even though they can't maybeattend a meeting, we will put
(14:19):
those dues to good use.
So join an American Legionfamily in your small town or big
town and get involved.
And if you can't get involved,support the people who are
involved and they'll put yourmoney to good use Excellent.
Jerry Allhands (14:34):
Excellent, we were talking about the veterans
homes.
We're one today in OxfordMississippi.
Trish Ward (14:39):
In beautiful Oxford, Mississippi.
I understand that there areabout 117 veteran residents here
and I can't wait to meet someof them.
I'm here today because theAmerican Legion Auxiliary
juniors and I should alsomention, since we talked about
membership so much the AmericanLegion Auxiliary has two classes
of membership juniors andseniors.
And juniors are for youngpeople below the age of 18, and
(15:03):
then, of course, seniors, 18 andabove.
So we had a little activity afew days ago where our junior
members came and they did craftswhich I brought today to hang
on the doors of our veteranshere in Oxford, and it always
brings a smile to their facewhen they see these beautiful
little craft projects that ourjunior members do to recognize
and honor them.
Jerry Allhands (15:23):
If you have one thing to say to a resident here
what would you share with them?
Trish Ward (15:34):
a resident here.
What would you share with them?
Well, it's common and oftenthat we thank our veterans for
their service to our country,but I think it's also important
to look them in the eyes and totake their hand and hold their
hand and let them know that notonly do we say it, we really
mean it, and we mean it by theactions that we do.
So it's important to say thewords, but it's also important
to connect with them.
(15:55):
A lot of the people that livein the veterans' homes maybe
they don't have family membersand they don't have people to
connect with them, andconnecting is so important.
So our American LegionAuxiliary family does that in a
lot of ways, and especiallyaround the holidays recently
with our holiday gift shopswhere our veterans can come and
select gifts for their familymembers, and sometimes our
(16:17):
auxiliary members help them shop.
So it's that connection.
So what I would say to them iscertainly thank you for your
service, but also we will neverforget what you did to keep our
country free and we're going tohonor you every day.
In the American Legion, we havea mission that is a primary
mission of the organizationcalled Be the One, and it is
(16:39):
positioned to help our membersand citizens be the one to save
one.
We've spoken often about thetragedy of veteran suicide and
how unfortunately common it canbe.
Here in Mississippi I had theopportunity to meet a family of
a veteran who took his own lifeand they are doing amazing
(17:00):
things to honor him withRonnie's retreat here in
northern Mississippi, and theyare looking to build a compound
where veterans can come, be safe, be helped, be cared for and be
supported if they're on amental health journey.
So as we talk about the Be theOne mission, we're arming our
(17:20):
members to be sure to ask theright questions and to be able
to recognize when a veteran isstruggling and to intervene so
that the family, like Ronnie,doesn't have to go through what
they went through, nor shouldany veteran be struggling with
self-harm.
So our American Legion familyis absolutely committed to
making sure that we communicateabout that mission and that we
(17:42):
help all citizens and ourmembers be ready and willing to
talk and ask the hard questions.
The American Legion was foundedreally on that concept that our
veterans missed the camaraderiethat they had while they were
together in conflict, and sothey came together to found the
American Legion for the purposeto give veterans a place that
(18:03):
they can congregate and thatthey can support each other, and
that's really what we werefounded on.
So it still holds true today,even 104 plus years later.
Veterans, people who served ourcountry they miss that
camaraderie and that's what theAmerican Legion family brings to
them and why we're such asuccessful veteran service
organization.
We've been around 100 years.
(18:24):
We know how to do it, we knowwhat questions need to be asked
and we know when and where toget the job done.
So I can just say, here in thegreat state of Mississippi I've
met with many grassroots membersand Legionnaires and it's been
heartwarming to see the greatwork that the people in
Mississippi are doing.
Jerry Allhands (18:42):
Madam President, it has been a privilege and an
honor to have you here today.
Thank you so much for joiningus.
Trish Ward (18:47):
Thank you so much for the invite.
I've had a lovely time acrossthe great state of Mississippi.
I can't wait to come back.
I can't wait to meet moregrassroots members and today
have the opportunity to meetsome amazing veterans here in
Oxford.
And so, since we had such alovely conversation, would it be
okay if I closed with a prayer?
Jerry Allhands (19:04):
Please, please.
Trish Ward (19:06):
Thank you so much, in the spirit of faith, that I
had the opportunity to speak tothe community here in the great
state of Mississippi about thefantastic American Legion family
that resides in your beautifulMagnolia State.
I pray that if you hear thistransmission and if you're
eligible, that you'll seek outan American Legion family in
(19:27):
your community and join us.
Leading the way is absolutelythe way to go and we'd love to
have you aboard.
Please pray for our country,please pray for our service
members, our veterans and theirfamilies, and if you see a
veteran or a citizen struggling,please intervene to help them.
I do this in God's name, amen.
Jerry Allhands (19:51):
Thank you so much, thank you so much for your
time.
That was a brief look back atepisode three and our visit with
American Legion AuxiliaryNational President Trish Ward.
Be sure to take a listen to theentire interview as President
Ward talks about the care ofpatients, residents and staff at
VA facilities.
President Ward is leading theway in the American Legion
Auxiliary and she shares someoutstanding ideas on how we can
(20:13):
continue to grow this greatorganization.
All that and more can be heardin Season 1, episode 3.
Be sure to join me next time aswe revisit Episode 6 and catch
the excitement of the MagnoliaGirls State Program.
That's next time on theVeterans Sound Off Podcast, a
series that's made possiblethrough your financial support.
(20:34):
The Veterans Sound Off Podcastis made possible by you, the
listener, and we need your helpin keeping this podcast series
going.
Your continued financialsupport enables us to produce
these episodes.
Please call 662-902-6658 todayand we'll give you all the
details on how you and or yourbusiness can become a sponsor.
(20:54):
We hope you've enjoyed thisepisode and look forward to your
feedback, and ask that yousubscribe to and share the
Veterans Sound Off Podcast withyour friends and family.
If you have a comment,suggestion or question or you
would like to become a supporterof this podcast, please call
662-902-6658, and we'll get backto you as soon as possible.
(21:18):
This has been a production ofAllh ands Media LLC, with
offices in Rena Lara,Mississippi.
All rights are reserved.
Hard work we're fired up.
Hard work everybody's on theplane.
Hard work we do it for play.
Hard work.
Hard work, we do it for play.
Hard work, hard work it's whatthey say.
Hard work, hard work I earn mypay.
(21:38):
Hard work, work, hard work,work, hard work, work.
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