The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-10-19
Mrs. Vandevoort ! l alks of Legion
 Auxiliary

One of the energetic and active work CTS among the women of Birmingham Is Mrs. Horace VandeVoort of Wood ward, the president of the Alabama American Legion auxiliary. Mrs. VandeVoort is native Alabamian, hay ing been born in Wilcox county at the beautiful old southern plantation home of her grandparents, Col. Josiah Rob- fms and Sarah Strother Grebb Robins, and is steeped in sentiment and patriot ism. Most enthusiastic is she over her work with the legion auxiliary and hopes that during the coming member slip drive every woman interested will join the auxiliary.
 In speaking of her work, Mrs. Var IeVoort says:
 Raised in this historic olda home stead of my grandparents, whU served the south so valiantly during, the Civil var and brought up among these sur it was in Dixie" learned a deep re- serence for our southern traditions along with love, loyalty and respect for our national government as I think one can learn only from those that have suffered deeply for a cause. My father was educated at West Point and as q little girl, nothing gave me more pleas ure than to parade in his beautiful gray Cadet coat. Thus, I have Known notli- ing elseA but love for this wonderful America of ours. And a feeling of pride knowing the part my ancestors played in it's upbuilding..
 ''Thus in 1917, when the call came from across the water that our boys al- aeady lover there" needed doctors, I was ready and willing to do my small part at home that my husband might go.
 Major VandeVoort served as senior surgeon on staff 305th Infantry, 77th division. He was severely injured dur in; the Battle of the Argonne Forest. He was cited for bravery in action after an attack of his organization at the Veisle river. [ '"The like of wonderful stories he has told me of courage and heroism as dis played by our soldiers on the front has never been written. We read ali kinds of stories of our World war heroes, but l believe no man knows them as do the doctors who served in front line.
 "No anguish on earth can equal that
  With only the comfort of three babies ] struggled alone Ito keep the home fires turning" Yet, I would not exchange ynose two years of my life with their lessons of courage, sacrifice, patient waiting. longing, faith and self reliance, with any living soul. They have made rot only a better wife and mother but i better citizen.
 'When an auxiliary to the American Legion was organized, the women whose men served their country during that time of terrible national stress were soon made that they were very neces sary branch of the legion. AlabaIna was late organizing, our department is only two years old, being organized ir l.ite fall of 1922. I attended the first call meeting of Gen. R. b. Steiner, who was at that time state commander and who has done much for the legion and auxiliary in Alabama. Acting as it's first treasurer and later, on resignation, Vf Miss Coleman of Anniston, secre sury, 1 was appointed acting secretary. GM course these positions gave me an opportunity to actually learn the work, national and state. Our first state con vention was held in Mobile in August, 1924 Mostly for purpose of complet- ing our organization. At this conVen- tion I was presiding officer.
 '"Ehese first two years in Alabama have meant hard work for the faitbful few, but at no time have we been dis couraged. Ever before us are great aims and purposes of this wonderful or ganization which Nbids fair to be the greatest womans patriotic organization in the world. Meeting, as it does, all sections of our country, non-secretarion