American Legion Auxiliary

The Cavalcade of Memories captures the milestones, moments, and lifetime of our organization from trophies, plaques, and pictures to restored artifacts and priceless keepsakes. These treasures from our history have come to us from all over the world. Each item adds more detail to our Auxiliary history books and another chance to relive our most cherished memories.

The national American Legion Auxiliary Cavalcade of Memories was established by a national convention resolution in 1972 that allocated funds to create a museum at National Headquarters. The purpose of the Cavalcade of Memories is to display, share, and perpetuate our history, traditions, and milestones.

In addition to the Cavalcade of Memories at National Headquarters in Indianapolis, many departments have a Cavalcade, each with its own unique items.

The Department of Missouri has an impressive Cavalcade of Memories at its headquarters in Jefferson City. “It was a ranch-style house that has been converted to our headquarters,” said Missouri’s Arline Sasser. “When you enter, you see a room with large photos of our two Past National Auxiliary Presidents, June Stolte and JoAnn Cronin, along with their flags. To the right are two attractive glass cabinets with our Past Department President mementos in them. We also have all PDP photos on the wall in a back room along with some cabinets containing all of our membership pins dating back to 1965.”

The Department of Wisconsin’s Cavalcade of Memories is designed to honor each Past Department President. “At the end of her term, the presiding president presents the department a memento of her year as state president,” said Rose Wenger, Department of Wisconsin Past Presidents Parley chairman. “It can represent a special project, something relating to her theme, or some special Christmas decoration she cherished. Each president’s photo and pin are on display along with a special Christmas tree ornament she chooses to have on our Christmas tree.”

 

Cavalcade of Memories Virtual Tour

Click here to see a preview of our virtual tour of the Cavalcade of Memories.

This exciting virtual tour directly connects you to your organization's rich history and is the next phase in digitizing images or our artifacts and bringing the Cavalcade to life.

National Cavalcade of Memories Donation Guidelines

(Revised July 8, 2008 by National Chairman Sherry McLaughlin)

1. Only items of historical significance to the national organization will be accepted. These are defined currently as items related directly to programs or activities specifically related to a past national president’s term of office or items related to a past national secretary or past national treasurer’s term. Items submitted that do not meet this criteria will be evaluated for suitability prior to acceptance.
2. Nothing should be sent to the National Headquarters until permission is received from National to do so.
3. Owners who donate items to National Headquarters give up all rights to ownership of the items, including the right to make decisions regarding the use, maintenance, and disposition of accepted items.
4. Please follow these guidelines when seeking permission to make donations to the National Cavalcade of Memories:
    a. Units or individual members should first notify their department office of items they might wish to donate to the National Cavalcade of Memories. It is best to notify the department in writing.
    b. Departments should then contact the National Headquarters either in writing at 8945 N. Meridian Street, Indianapolis, IN 46260; or by fax at 317-569-4502; or by email at natlsecy@ALAforVeterans.org. Be sure your correspondence gives a full description of the items and their relationship to those individuals noted in No. 1 above.
    c. Do not send anything to the National Headquarters until you have written confirmation that the national organization is able to accept it.
 

Cavalcade of Memories National Chairman
Kenya Ostermeier
Department of Indiana
cavalcade@ALAforVeterans.org