Marysville Legion Auxiliary receives its Charter

MARYSVILLE — A year after its first meeting, the Marysville Legion Auxiliary has received its Charter. When Marysville Unit 178 of the American Legion Auxiliary met on Feb. 18 of last year, it became the first active Legion Auxiliary unit in Marysville in 50 years. When Unit 178 received its Charter at a dinner hosted by the Lake Stevens Unit 181 on March 7 of this year, Legion Auxiliary National President Carlene Ashworth and 2010 Department President Kathy Kerr were in attendance, which Marysville Unit President Kay Smith considered a special honor.

By Kirk Boxleitner • April 11, 2011 5:01 pm

MARYSVILLE — A year after its first meeting, the Marysville Legion Auxiliary has received its Charter.

When Marysville Unit 178 of the American Legion Auxiliary met on Feb. 18 of last year, it became the first active Legion Auxiliary unit in Marysville in 50 years.

When Unit 178 received its Charter at a dinner hosted by the Lake Stevens Unit 181 on March 7 of this year, Legion Auxiliary National President Carlene Ashworth and 2010 Department President Kathy Kerr were in attendance, which Marysville Unit President Kay Smith considered a special honor.

“Receiving the Charter was a pivotal moment because it’s on paper that we are formed,” Smith said. “Having an American Legion in Marysville is very important. Our work and contributions to the troops overseas and the returning ‘Wounded Warriors’ show them that the people of Marysville care about them. We want to show our appreciation for the service and sacrifices they have made.”

One of Unit 178’s missions over the course of the past year has been to send care packages to those overseas troops via “The Soldiers’ Angels.” Last year, the Marysville Legion Auxiliary sent 90 packages with 14 items in each, and since the start of this year, its members have sent 30 packages with 21 items in each, with most of the funding for this year’s care packages coming from a donation made by the Rotary Club of Marysville.

“Our troops often don’t get as many chances to see the American flag, so we included a ‘pocket flag’ in each package,” Smith said. “Each one is folded and put in a small plastic bag with a prayer. Some of the ladies are making lap robes for the returning wounded veterans. These are sent to Madigan Army Hospital via Heartbeat, Serving the Wounded Warriors.”

Charter members of Marysville Unit 178 of the American Legion Auxiliary include Smith, Secretary Darilee Bednar, Treasurer Darlene Scott, Chaplain Doris Lobe, Historian Debbie Ostrowski, Sergeant-at-Arms Linda Claughton, and fellow members Joann Baxter, Virginia DuBarry, Ashley Erdle, Christa Luellen, Harriett Patterson, Mary Sewell, Sharon Steiliing, Elizabeth Swizer, Sophia Buttke and Cassidy Sewell.

“America is the land of the free because of the brave,” Smith said. “God bless our military.”

For more information or to contribute to the Legion Auxiliary’s causes, call Smith at 360-659-1537.