Joyce Justice: A profile in service to veterans

Nov. 25--Joyce Justice has been busy of late leading the American Legion Post 138 Ladies Auxiliary in several community projects.

She is married to Harry Justice, the post commander.

Together, the two have raised four children.

Justice has been serving as president of the Ladies Auxiliary as well as District Nine.

She took over both offices last May and will serve a one-year term.

Her district includes the Legion's ladies auxiliaries in Carlisle, Mt. Sterling, Raceland, Ashland, Morehead, South Shore, Flatwoods and Willard.

She says the function of the Ladies Auxiliary "is to take care of veterans, children and community."

The group noticed the Historic Depot in Olive Hill lacked a flag during the 9/11 Memorial event at the Heritage Trail Ride in September.

As a result, a new American flag was erected recently, thanks to the Auxiliary.

Other projects include raising funds during Poppy Mountain to benefit both VA Hospitals in Lexington and Huntington, West Virginia, and sponsoring a dinner for all local veterans and community members.

Near the Christmas season, the Auxiliary buys candy for the Legion to pass out to children when a Legion member dresses up as Santa and visits local schools.

In 2012 when West Liberty was devastated by tornadoes, she joined other women from the Morehead Legion post to serve soup to those affected.

"It was very rewarding," Justice recalls.

She and her husband returned to Olive Hill from Ashland in 2007.

She says helping veterans and their families has been the most rewarding part of her membership in the Ladies Auxiliary.

"We're like a big family down there," she says.

In additional to her regular duties, she enjoys meeting new people at state conferences.

She says several members transferred their membership to Post 138 because of a better family bond.

She says that a wife, daughter, mother, sister or other woman can join the Ladies Auxiliary if they are related to someone who served in the armed forces honorably.

If you are interested in joining the American Legion itself, visit the Legion building from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays or between noon and 10 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday; or from noon to midnight on Friday and Saturday.

For those interested in joining the Ladies Auxiliary, call Joyce Justice at 286-1813 or the Post at 286-1380.

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