First male spouse joins Auxiliary unit in St. Louis

First male spouse joins Auxiliary unit in St. Louis

American Legion Auxiliary President Nicole Clapp shared with members of The American Legion National Executive Committee last month during Fall Meetings in Indianapolis that as of Oct. 16, 157 male spouses of veterans have joined the Auxiliary. During The American Legion’s 101st National Convention, delegates approved changes to the Constitution and Bylaws to replace the word “wife” with “spouse,” related to the membership criteria for the American Legion Auxiliary.

One of those new members is AJ Detzler-Cox, who joined Auxiliary Unit 404 in St. Louis on Sept. 21. AJ is the husband of U.S. Army veteran Shanna Detzler-Cox, a dual member of St. Louis Service Women’s Post and Auxiliary Unit 404.

“The American Legion is a place to take care of family, and the Auxiliary helps take care of the military,” AJ said. “Shanna was already doing Legion things, and I was helping out. I saw (joining the Auxiliary) as an opportunity to officially help. I want to support the military any way I can.”