The Big Sandy Mountaineer -

By Robert Lucke

For a small town, there are quite a few organizations in Big Sandy that go around doing a world of good for a lot of people. One that is not recognized nearly as much as it should be is the American Legion Auxiliary unit here in Big Sandy.

This unit of 29 members helps veterans and others on an almost daily basis. And they do most of their activities in a very non assuming and quiet way.

Last week Lianne Heimbigner and Amy Sibra along with Barb Dixon came in to talk about their organization.

And, so typical of the Big Sandy Auxiliary they really did not want to talk about their organization nearly as much as they wanted to honor one of their Members, Barb Dixon on this Memorial Day.

Dixon has been a member for 69 years and has just finished her seventh year as president of the organization. Not only that but she has been president before and is still very active.

Dixon became a member in 1948 and is still the chairman of Girls State.

Lianne Heimbigner is one of the newest members and the current president of the organization.

Amy Sibra keeps track of the history of the organization and said that in 1928 the Women's' Auxiliary started with eight members. The first meeting was April 11, 1928 and when the organization was getting its feet on the ground, it had from eight to sixteen members.

Probably the most members were in the 1980's when in 1985, for example, there were 52 members.

The Women's Auxiliary looks over the Junior Auxiliary as well which is children over eight years old.In

1965 there were 12 junior members.

All agreed that the main focus of the Women's Auxiliary is to promote patriotism.

Younger members have really had to step up the work load because so many of the Auxiliary are elderly women these days.

"We want to keep the organization alive," said Sibra. "We have five new members ready to join and three junior members ready to join. We are building our membership back up."

One of the big jobs of the Women's Auxiliary is the sale of the Buddy Poppies during the Memorial Day weekend. They are having a Poppy poster contest in the schools and hope to decorate store windows with the posters.

The money that is collected on Memorial Day weekend by the Auxiliary is given to the Veteran's homes in Montana which are at Glendive, Columbia Falls, Fort Harrison and Miles City. after the program at the high school."

The Auxiliary has a craft table at the Christmas Stroll and that money goes to support a Christmas gift drive at the four Veteran's homes. It gives Veterans living in those homes a chance to go shopping for gifts for loved ones that they maybe otherwise could not afford.

This year the Legion put on a coyote hunt in January and the ladies helped in that by baking 240 cinnamon rolls and putting on a chili feed along with helping with other meals. The coyote hunt was a huge success for the Legion this year.

Lianne Heimbigner wanted to talk about a few of the many ladies of the past that have worked hard for the Auxiliary. This list is by no means all that should be honored but it is a start.

Alice Green became a member in 1929 and was the longest member the Auxiliary ever had.

Jere Skaalure was at least a 61 year member.

Helen "Toots" Rice was a 56 year member. She held many positions and was the Chairman of the Memorial Day potluck for many years.

Dorothea Quinn was a 67 year member and was a District Past President.

Lois Ophus was a 45 year member and chairman for the Legislative arm of the Auxiliary for a long time.

Through the years there have been style shows, lots of dances, many birthday parties for the Legion and of course the solemn honoring of the Gold Star Mothers which goes on to this day.

Of great importance is the Emblem of the American Legion itself. It is a badge of distinction, honor and service and stands for God and Country and the highest rights of man. Of its several parts, each has a meaning.

The rays of the sun form the background of our proud emblem and suggests the Legion's principles will dispel the darkness of violence and evil.

The wreath forms the center in loving memory of those brave comrades who gave their lives in the service of the United States that liberty might endure.

The star was a victory symbol of World War I and also symbolizes honor, glory and constancy.

Of the outer rings, the larger stands for the rehabilitation of our sick and disabled comrades, the smaller inside ring denotes the welfare of America's children.

The smaller of the two inner rings represents service to our communities, states and the nation. The larger outer ring pledges loyalty to Americanism.

The words American Legion tie the whole together for truth, remembrance, =constancy, honor, service, veterans affairs and rehabilitation, children and youth, loyalty and Americanism.

"Big Sandy has always been very supportive of our Buddy Poppy sales," said Heimbigner.

The Women's Auxiliary always organizes a pot luck feed after the Memorial Day ceremonies as well.

"Everyone is always welcome to come to that potluck," added Sibra. "It is at the Senior Center and starts