By Linda Quinlan

During a recent late winter afternoon, Linda Quinlan, the current North Carolina American Legion Auxiliary Historian, visited Elizabeth (“Lib”) Stewart, American Legion Auxiliary Past National President 1999-2000. Linda knew that Lib would soon commemorate the 25th anniversary of her August 1999 election as National President and thought it seemed like an opportune time for a visit since Linda lives in Shelby – just ten miles away from Lib’s hometown of Kings Mountain.
Upon arriving at Lib’s country home, Linda and her husband, Jim, were warmly welcomed. They enjoyed a long visit reminiscing about Lib's many warm memories from her year as President.
Curious about the happenings Lib experienced during her tenure and how things may have changed during the past 25 years, Linda peppered her with many questions. An energetic woman in her 60s when she was elected National President, Lib’s mind, is still sharp as a tack 25 years later. She has attended every National Convention since 1975 but has missed the last four due to health issues.
First joining the American Legion Auxiliary in 1969 through the eligibility of two brothers in the Navy and USAF, she immediately became involved and was elected North Carolina Department President in 1976. Lib recalled, “I attended my first Department Convention in 1969 and the first National Convention in 1975”. Mary Sue Jarrett, a good friend who lived a mere 13 miles away, was elected National President in 1974 and encouraged Lib to pursue a path toward the presidency herself. Lib enthusiastically continued her service to the organization and filled many roles in the National Auxiliary from 1980 onwards. She held National appointments in the Southern Division and later as chairperson of the National Community Service, Public Relations, Poppy, and VA&R committees, to name a few. She was elected National Historian in 1993 and National Vice President 1998-1999.
National President Stewart said during her tenure that “… it was a time to celebrate America; to celebrate the new millennium.”  After being elected, the National Auxiliary Headquarters provided her with a cell phone and a laptop, which she took with her everywhere. They also provided her with an apartment in Indianapolis to stay in while in town for meetings and in between trips. Back then, there was no such thing as virtual meetings and Zoom, so she was on the road or in the air quite a bit.
During her term as National American Legion Auxiliary President, Ms. Stewart stressed unit revitalization. Her membership theme was “TNT” – The New Threshold, and at the turn of the century, Lib recalled that the ALA had nearly 1,000,000 members. She also used her office to spread awareness of breast cancer. A 35-year survivor of the disease, she was passionate about informing audiences far and wide about the disease. She encouraged women and men to take advantage of early detection and screening procedures. Lib mentioned a humorous incident during the 19th Annual Awareness Assembly in March 2000.
“There were several American Legion Past National Commanders and NECmen at a large reception, and they provided a unique fashion show to raise money for breast cancer awareness,”  Lib said. She was surprised and initially somewhat embarrassed but then continued her story. “…These normally reserved and distinguished Legionnaires pranced around the banquet room modeling their fashions and raised nearly $13,000 for breast cancer research and the Susan G. Komen Foundation!”
 An extensive traveler during her year in office, Lib visited nearly every state and several foreign countries, including France, Taiwan, the Philippines, Mexico, and Germany. She traveled to South Korea in June 2000, during the 50th anniversary, observing the start of the Korean Conflict.
But it was while in France Lib experienced some of her most memorable events during her tenure. During a special ceremony at a French National Cemetery, where Lib placed flags and a wreath, she was asked by the French General in charge of the event to review the troops. This was a complete surprise – not on the itinerary – and fortunately, she quickly recalled some French from her high school days.  She said, “… I passed the line of handsome young soldiers standing at attention, smiled, shook their hands, and thanked them (in French) for their service. It ended up going very well, and I still have wonderful memories of that visit.” While in Paris, she had the unique opportunity to flip the switch to light up the Arc de Triomphe for an evening event. She then took a train trip to visit Flanders Field in Belgium. She paid her respects to the many service members buried there and marveled at the fields of red poppies.
At Hickam AFB, Hawaii, she participated in a solemn December 1999 repatriation ceremony, the remains believed to be those of US Marines killed in action on Butaritari Island during World War II. It represented the largest and most significant recovery of remains of that time. National Commander Al Lance and National President Stewart went on this trip and were very impressed with the ceremony and Operation Homecoming.
   Working with the National American Legion Commander and National Sons of the Legion Commander, Lib raised money to help fund the planned World War II Memorial in Washington, DC. A photo in the ALA National News May-June 2000 magazine shows Lib presenting a large replica check to Senator Bob Dole for $2,750,000 on behalf of the Legion Family. So many programs were near and dear to her heart. Among them were Veterans Rehabilitation & Affairs, and Children and Youth Programs. She also led the Auxiliary fundraising efforts for the Children’s Miracle Network.
    A unique item gifted to her during her presidency was a small “button chair” made in her home state. Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation of North Carolina created the original Button Chair in 1998 as a tribute to all women—as well as their families, friends, and support networks—who have battled breast cancer in North Carolina. Every button represented a unique story of courage and strength, each belonging to a breast cancer survivor or someone who had lost their battle with the disease.
   Many times, during Lib’s speeches, she spoke of breast cancer awareness. She was gifted with a small, hand-crafted wooden replica chair made in North Carolina. The symbolic button idea quickly caught on, and the chair traveled throughout the state during conferences and appearances at various functions. Auxiliary members and the general public soon adorned the little chair with hundreds of brightly colored buttons representing themselves or loved ones diagnosed with breast cancer. Lib still has and cherishes the little chair today as one of her favorite memories.
   She has enjoyed a long career as a journalist and received many writing awards throughout her life. While she received a year off during her presidency, the fall of 2000 saw her return to 50-hour work weeks at the newspaper office. And still today, she spends several hours each week on her home computer writing for the Kings Mountain Herald.
   Now nearing 90 years of age, Past National President Stewart reflected that “… I enjoyed excellent health throughout my year as National President and never once called in sick.” She is very grateful for the support of the North Carolina American Legion Auxiliary and will forever cherish the memories, friendships made, unforgettable opportunities, and world travel experiences. She is a small-town girl treated like royalty whose American Legion Auxiliary dreams came true. She is blessed, indeed!