AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary Department of Florida History
1945 – Present
It has often been said, “Behind a successful man, there is a woman,” and it also can be
said “Behind a successful veteran’s organization, there is an auxiliary.”
History has been defined as the ideas, acts, and events that shape the future. AMVETS Auxiliary,
Department of Florida has been shaped by its history – the ideas of resourceful leaders, positive
actions by the membership and events of the world in which we live. As World War II servicemen
returned to civilian life, they joined together to form veterans’ clubs. Soon their wives, having
mutual interests, organized their own groups. The first AMVETS Post in the Nation was Post #1
in St. Petersburg, founded by George Burke. It is understandable that the first auxiliary was also
in St. Petersburg. The date of the charter application was March 7, 1944, and 28 names were on
the list. The founder and first president was Ruth Burke (Mrs. George) who later in 1954 was
elected National President. Officers who served “Auxiliary of Veterans of World War II” or
“Auxiliary of AMVETS”, as the groups were called, included President, 1st Vice President, 2nd
Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Patriotic Instructor, Conductress and Color Bearer, Bylaws,
Rituals and Child Welfare Committees were appointed.
Also, in 1944 Dorothy Griner of St. Petersburg suggested that the White Clover be selected as the
official flower of AMVETS. When the American troops landed on Normandy during the War the
fields were covered with white clovers. After thousands and thousands of men trampled those
fields, the white clover blossoms continued to prosper. The AMVET White Clover symbolized the
strength of AMVETS and means “Think of Me.” Today, as in the beginning, the White Clover is
used to raise funds to support the volunteer work in the Veterans’ hospitals. December 7th is
White Clover Day.
Florida was probably the first department to do hospital work in the name of AMVETS Auxiliary.
As far back as May 1944, weekly visits were made to Bay Pines Veterans’ Administration Hospital
under the leadership of Marguerite Blanton. The women gave magazines, gum and candy to the
hospitalized and on Christmas 1944 gave gifts to every World War II veteran. Then in 1946
presents were given to every patient in the hospital – a total of 1000.
As the number of Posts grew in Florida, so did the Auxiliaries. On April 7, 1946 at Daytona
Beach, the first planning meeting to organize a department was held. Five auxiliaries were
required to form a state department. Membership eligibility was limited to wives, mothers, sisters,
and daughters (16 years of age) of AMVETS. On June 30, 1946 the Department of Florida was
organized. Pro-tem officers were selected, and Marguerite Blanton of St. Petersburg became the
President. Local dues were $3.00 of which $.50 per capita was forwarded to the Department.
Delegates in attendance represented St. Petersburg #1, Miami #4, Sarasota #5, Daytona Beach 6, Pensacola #7, and Fort Lauderdale #9 Auxiliaries.
The first Department Convention was held in Miami on September 13-15, 1946 at the McAllister
Hotel. Elizabeth Roose of Sarasota was elected President. Other elected officers were the two
Vice Presidents, Chaplain, Recording Secretary, Treasurer, Conductress, and Guard. Assigned
committees were responsible for Rules, Resolutions, Finance/Budget, Memorial Service,
Constitution/Bylaws, Credentials, Courtesy, Greetings, and Membership. “Think of Me” written by
Mr. & Mrs. Les Rohde of Miami #4 was adopted as the official state hymn.
The President was allowed a travel allowance of $.05 per mile. Corresponding Secretary
received $25.00 for supplies while the Treasurer was allotted $35. The Recording Secretary
received $10.00 for supplies and $.05 per mile for travel.
In 1946 the 2nd National Commander of AMVETS, Jack Hardy, called for the formation of a
National AMVETS Auxiliary. He instructed AMVETS National Liaison Officer Barnhardt to contact
all Auxiliaries and invite representatives to come to Pittsburgh. On September 21-22, 1946,
delegates from 13 states met to discuss the initial details in organizing the National Auxiliary.
Florida sent two representatives, Elizabeth Roose and Marguerite Blanton. They have the
distinction to be known as National Founders and served on the first National Executive
Committee. This committee set in motion the wheels of the organization. Thirteen was
considered a lucky number and a special omen since 13 colonies were the nucleus for the
beginning of our Nation.
The STARS & STRIPES newspaper on October 3 1946 published a notice that the first National
Convention of AMVETS Auxiliary would be held in St. Louis, Missouri on November 21-24, 1946.
Edith Males from California was elected National President, and Elizabeth Roose was elected the
first Senior Vice President. Ruth Burke, founder of the first auxiliary, was honored to install the
first slate of National Officers. At this historic convention the Constitution and National Bylaws
were adopted as well as the slogan “We Waited Together — Now, Let’s Work Together.”
In one of the bulletins to the membership Vice President Roose wrote “I would like to emphasize
the individual member is the most important basis of our entire organization – Local, Department
and National. Our programs of service, legislation, and cooperation cannot function properly
unless each member fulfills her own responsibility. Consequently, our programs and our value to
the Nation will be just what the individual member makes it.”
At the 2nd state convention, October 2-5, 1947 in Sarasota, Ruth Burke King was elected
President. It is interesting to note that the convention registration fee was $6 that included the
cost of the banquet. On October 20, following this convention, the State Executive Committee
had its first meeting at the Post #5 home in Siesta Key. The Department of Florida was well on its
way to bigger and better things.
The official uniform has had several changes during this time. The first uniform was a light gray
shirtwaist dress. Then came the forest green dress, long sleeves with cuffs, a belt at the waist
and a gold satin square knot tie. (Often members were mistaken as Girl Scout leaders.) For
special occasions there was a dark green cape, lined with gold satin, a colorful outfit when the
sides were thrown back over the shoulders. Later the uniform was changed to the A-line forest
green dress, green skirt, and white jacket. Also acceptable are green slacks, white or gold blouse
and the white jacket.
The first “fun and honor” group was formed in Florida in November 1946. This organization,
known as “Sad Bags” had as their goal “to create fund and goodwill and to encourage auxiliary
members to be better workers.”
We owe a debt of gratitude to the first leaders in Florida. Ruth (Burke)(King) Nickerson, the
founder and first President of the first auxiliary in the Nation, the 2nd President in the Dept. of
Florida, and the 9th National President, and as late as 1978, the founder of Auxiliary #50 in North
Fort Myers. Her motto was “You only get out of AMVETS and AMVETS Auxiliary what you put in
it.” Marguerite Blanton, the Dept. President, Pro-Tem, when the Dept. was only a blueprint in the
hearts of the local auxiliaries, one of the National Founders. Elizabeth Roose, 1st State President,
1st National Sr. Vice President, listed among the National Founders. These leaders were pioneers
in the auxiliary and demonstrated their dedication, commitment, and faith in the ideals of AMVETS
Auxiliary.
Florida continued to organize new auxiliaries. Membership has had its “ups and down”, but the
faithful members were supportive of the big four service programs – Hospital, Child Welfare,
Community Service, and Americanism. Auxiliary members conducted parties in the hospitals,
prepared layettes for new babies, supported community endeavors, and marched in patriotic
parades. Local auxiliaries met on a regular basis; the department conventions were held around
the state in small hotel rooms and schools; and AMVETS Auxiliary was alive and well.
In the 1980’s, as new programs were introduced by National and adopted by Florida – Paws With
A Cause, John Tracy Clinic, Freedoms Foundation, Scholarships – and as Florida’s population
grew, the membership in AMVETS Auxiliary expanded.
In 2008-2009 Past Department President Charlene D. Kee was elected the first Black American
AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary National President, in her hometown Orlando FL.
In 2016-2017 Past Department President Evelyn McElvin was elected as National President in
Reno, NV.
In 2019-2020 Past Department President Dolores “Dee” Baggett was elected as National
President in Louisville, KY. Due to COVID-19 Dolores “Dee” Baggett was asked to remain the
National President for the 2020-2021 year, and she did. Dee was the first ever to serve as the
National President for two terms.
Past National President Patty Piening transferred from Ohio to Auxiliary 8 in St. Petersburg,
Florida. She then became a Department of Florida officer and went up the chairs. She was
elected the Department President for the year 2023-2024.
As in the beginning and even today, Florida AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary is a very energetic and
engaged Department.
Today, there are 59 Auxiliaries; membership is over the 6,000 mark; the future looks bright. The
present leaders have the commitment as the early founders to “serve” and to “help” the members
are dedicated to “work” and to “give.” Yes, the ideas and accomplishments of our predecessors
have prepared us well for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.