American Legion Auxiliary Edward Schultz Unit 697, Lansing, IL

06/16/2026

Girls State is this month.

Unit 697 Girls State Committee Chair, Elizabeth Gonzalez, has done a fantastic job spreading the word about the American Legion Auxiliary Girls State program again this year.

Our unit has sponsored 4 girls from TF South High School and two other units jumped in to sponsor two more girls.

This Sunday, girls will be taking off for a week long program that focuses on government and citizenship. This program has been running for close to 90 years.

Girls State is a premier program sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary that focuses on developing leadership skills, citizenship knowledge, and patriotism among high school girls. Through this week-long, immersive experience, participants gain a deep understanding of the American government system by actively engaging in simulated local, county, and state governments. Since its inception in 1937, Girls State has helped shape future generations of public servants, civic leaders, and engaged citizens.

Thank you The Lansing Journal for covering this program.

Lansing's American Legion Auxiliary Unit 697 will send four delegates to this summer’s Illinois Girls State program.

06/07/2026

1st Division meeting today. We accomplished a lot. Americanism essay winners memorial service of Auxiliary members that passed this year, committee updates, and making bags for the Children & Youth committee.

06/06/2026

June 6, the anniversary of D-Day, is a time to reflect and remember the lives lost and thank those still with us. The Battle of Normandy, known as D-Day, took place over 80 years ago on June 6, 1944, when Allied forces launched a combined naval, air, and land strike against the German forces in World War II. History views it as a turning point of the war. Many lives were lost, but many were saved due to the service and sacrifices of our servicemembers.

06/05/2026

Membership Award!!

Congratulations to Unit 697! 🥳

Unit Membership Committee Chair, Carol McFarland, was presented with the unit membership pin Wednesday night at our unit meeting. Carol does an awesome job working with unit members updating where we are in the quest to hit our membership goal, sending out mailings and making connections with members who have not yet renewed and inspiring our members to ask others to join us. Thank you for your leadership and thank you 697 for working together!

Fun Fact: Carol has been a member for 50+ 🇺🇸

06/04/2026

The Lansing Journal reporter Carole Sharwarko, sat down with Auxiliary Unit 697 member Viola DeBok.
The article is filled with stories and memories of Viola’s family and her time in the Auxiliary.
Thank you Viola, for you commitment to service and thank you Carole for taking the time to sit with Viola and share her story.

https://thelansingjournal.org/2026/06/03/96-year-old-viola-de-bok-reflects-on-decades-of-community-service/

05/27/2026

Thank for remembering Dolton Library & reminding our communities of the sacrifices made and our promise to remember our fallen, and care for our veterans and active military 🇺🇸💕

05/27/2026

Thank you Lansing Public Library for the Poppy Day display. 🌺

Our poppy is a reminder of the sacrifices and our promise to remember our fallen and to care for our veterans and active military & their families.

05/27/2026

Reminder- our 1st Division Illinois American Legion Auxiliary meeting in June 6th.

ALA First Division Meeting Saturday June 6, 2026
Des Plaines Post 36