Houlton hosts American Legion juniors

HOULTON, Maine — Sunday marked the first time, Maine’s Junior Auxiliary Units of the American Legion held their annual convention in Houlton. Some 70 top-level State of Maine Auxiliary Officers and Sons of American Legion officers along with 20 Junior Auxiliary members convened in the banquet hall at Ivey’s Motor Lodge festively decorated with the patriotic and traditional red, white and blue to elect officers, present awards and complete a special project.
“Every year we do a project with the girls. This year we are folding pocket flags to fit in 3X3 bags which we will send to troops in Afghanistan and Iraq so the military can have a piece of home in their pocket at all times,” said Brenda Roberts, Department of Maine American Legion Junior Activities chairman. Roberts said Houlton’s junior unit had been so active and had done so much that the decision of where to hold the convention was in their favor.
Houlton resident Tammy Acott is president of Ladies Auxiliary Unit No. 47 and leader of the Junior Auxiliary. “The turnout is incredible. I’m overwhelmed. The girls worked really hard doing the planning and decorating.” The convention drew from as far away as Gray, Greenville, Brownville Junction and Stockholm.
She said she was grateful to the local businessmen and residents who supported the event with donations and discounts. Acott said backing from American Legion Post #47 also helped make the convention festive and successful.
Local Houlton residents installed as officers in the State of Maine Junior Auxiliary are: Danica Welton, president; Danielle Welton, first vice president; and, Taylor Hoskins, second vice president.
Donald Simoneau, Department of Maine past president, hand crafted several wooden gavels. One was presented on his behalf to Danica Welton and another was presented to Tammy Acott. Poppy pins and certificates were awarded to twin sisters Danica and Danielle Welton, Taylor Hoskins and Acott for raising $1,200 for the Poppy Fund.
Acott and Roberts agreed that the Junior Auxiliary members in Maine are very active in the community and with veterans. While working on the pocket flag project, Danica Welton said “it’s a good experience to do something for the veterans.”