Auxiliary to the United Spanish War Veterans

[KevinBeyer]

"THE LADIES' AUXILIARY OF THE United Spanish War Veterans was organized before the Spanish War Veterans. A group of patriotic women in Cleveland organized at the time of the Spanish War to aid the boys in camp and meet the trains and minister to the sick on the return home

The organization was chartered by the National Organization in 1904 and held its first National Encampment in St. Louis.

The first President General was Mother Isabelle Alexander of Cleveland, Ohio, and it is through her efforts that the organization was chartered by the Spanish War Veterans.

The organization is on the same lines as the United Spanish War Veterans, having National and Department and Local Auxiliaries. Those eligible are Mothers, Wives, Daughters and Sisters of Spanish War Veterans, and Nurses and Women who actually did patriotic service during the Spanish War.

They are a great help to Camps; Camps having Auxiliaries are the most active in the order. In legislative work they have become a power since women have the vote, and the Comrades can thank the Auxiliary for bringing across recent legislation.

Their function is to care for the sick and distressed families of the Spanish War Veterans, assist in Patriotic services, see that respect to the flag and uniform is taught in the schools and assist Camps in social.

affairs."

[KevinBeyer]

This is a collection of the A.U.S.W.V. officer badges that I used to own. They all belonged to John F. Critchlow Camp No. 3, Salt Lake City, Utah.

 

 

The badges with this collection were

 

GUARD

CHAPLAIN

SECRETARY

CONDUCTOR

ASSISTANT GUARD

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT

JUNIOR VICE PRESIDENT

HISTORIAN

TREASURER

PRESIDENT

ASSISTANT CONDUCTOR

COLOR BEARER

 

Kevin

 

 

 

 

 

 

[JMcCulloch]

Pretty cool. I have seen a lot of badges like these above, only with the Red/yellow Spanish colours as the ribbon. Were there state ribbon variations?

[KevinBeyer]

From the Constitution Rules and Regulations National Auxiliary United Spanish War Veterans 1928

 

Part Seven

EQUIPMENT

 

Article I

INSIGNIA AND EMBLEMS

 

Section 323. Insignia and Emblems. The Insignia and emblems indicating membership in the National Auxiliary, United Spanish War Veterans shall be kept on sale at the National Headquarters, and must be purchased through proper channels.

 

Section 324. Membership Badges. The regulation membership badge of the National Auxiliary, United Spanish War Veterans shall be a bronze badge backed by a length of the membership ribbon. The dimensions and design of the metal parts shall be as prescribed by the authority of the National Convention. This badge shall be presented to the members at the time of their initiation and shall be worn on the left breast of all members during meetings and public gatherings unless replaced by the official badge of president or past office.

 

Section 325. Ribbon. The regulation membership ribbon of the Auxiliary United Spanish War Veterans shall be of gros-grain silk, three inches in length, suspended from the pin bar of the Membership Badge, the color of which shall be red, white and yellow for Auxiliary Members; red for Auxiliary Officers, red and yellow for Department Officers and yellow for National Officers.

 

Section 326. Officers' Badges. The official badge, to be worn by active Officers when on duty, shall be the official membership badge with an additional bar at the top containing the title of the office of the wearer, superimposed on the ribbon of the color or colors, which will indicate whether the wearer is an Officer in a local Auxiliary, Department or the National Auxiliary. Badges of all Auxiliary, Department and National Officers, both elective and appointive, belong and revert with the office.

 

Section 327. Past Officers' Jewels. Past Auxiliary Presidents, Past Department Presidents and Past National Presidents may wear in lieu of the regulation bronze past Officer's badge, special gold badges or jewels indicative of their past rank, the form and design shall be as prescribed by authority of the National Convention. Other retiring Officers of the Local, Department or National Auxiliary, desiring past rank badges, must procure same from National Headquarters, through the proper channels.

 

Section 328. Ownership of Badges. All badges, jewels and other insignia of membership shall be procured by members from the Department or National Auxiliary by purchase or gift, and the general title to the same shall remain in the Organization. All sales and gifts of emblems shall be upon the following express conditions, and the acceptance thereof shall be deemed a ratification of such conditions by the member receiving same, viz: that the member purchasing or otherwise procuring emblems acquires a special property interest therein, limited to the right to hold and use the same only while an active member in good standing in the Organization. The heirs and legatees of a deceased member may retain her badges or emblems upon the express conditions that the same shall not be used or worn except in accordance with the Rules and Regulations.

 

Section 329. Memorial Badges. The memorial badge shall consist of the membership badge covered with a length of purple gros-grain ribbon.

[JMcCulloch]

Ah ha! many thanks.