Scan of Lizzie Schafman’s passport, 1930.

Lizzie Schafman’s passport

Lizzie Schafman’s passport, 1930. Used with permission of the New Brighton Area Historical Society.

Black and white photograph of a Gold Star Mothers Club, 1935. Photograph by Benjamin C. Golling.

Gold Star Mothers Club

Gold Star Mothers Club, 1935. Photograph by Benjamin C. Golling.

Color image of a red and white felt service flag with one blue star, used by the family of Harvey Mears, who served in World War I and World War II, ca. 1915–1943.

Red and white felt service flag

Red and white felt service flag with one blue star, used by the family of Harvey Mears, who served in World War I and World War II, ca. 1915–1943.

Black and white photograph of Mrs. J. P. Mohan, Gold Star mother, with flag, St. Paul, 1918.

Mrs. J. P. Mohan, Gold Star mother

Mrs. J. P. Mohan, Gold Star mother, with flag, St. Paul, 1918.

Gold Star Mothers in Minnesota

During World War I, families began to hang flags in their windows that displayed a gold star for each relative killed in military service. The title “gold star mother” was used unofficially to describe a woman who had lost a child in service until the national organization American Gold Star Mothers, Inc., was established in 1929. Many Minnesota mothers claimed membership, and local Minnesota chapters followed.

Black and white photograph of an audience at the American Legion National Convention, Minneapolis, 1919.

American Legion National Convention, Minneapolis

American Legion National Convention, Minneapolis, 1919.

American Legion Poster, ca. 1919.

American Legion Poster

A poster featuring the image of three men in suits walking away from a pile of Navy and Army uniforms. Text reads "Let's stick / together / Back into "cits" and - / the AMERICAN LEGION". From the Harkin Store in New Ulm, Minnesota, and retailed during World War I, ca. 1918.

Color image of a First American Legion Convention Button, 1919.

First American Legion Convention Button

Small circular button that reads "FIRST AMERICAN LEGION CONVENTION MINNEAPOLIS". It has a pin backing and was made by Williamson Stamp Co., Minneapolis. It commemorates the first convention held by the American Legion in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in November, 1919.

Origins of the American Legion in Minnesota, 1919–1922

At the close of World War I, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) was the only centralized veterans’ organization prepared to help returning soldiers re-enter civilian life and to assist the families of the deceased. The American Legion formed soon after the war in order to serve veterans returning from Europe. Minnesota’s department of the Legion answered the call, creating programs that assisted veterans and led the way for the organization.

Oil-on-canvas study created by Douglas Volk for his painting Second Minnesota Regiment at Mission Ridge, c.1905.

Study for "Second Minnesota Regiment at Mission Ridge"

Oil-on-canvas study created by Douglas Volk for his painting Second Minnesota Regiment at Mission Ridge, c.1905.

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