ALA Department of Texas member Catherine Boyce joined the Auxiliary to honor her late father. Clement Ray Mondy Jr. served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. 
 
Following his military service, he joined American Legion Post 201 in Shiner, Texas, so his sister could join the Auxiliary. 
 
“Over the years, he was busy running a business and raising a family in Houston, so he never moved his membership from his home post,” said Boyce. “He enjoyed the monthly magazine, renewed his yearly membership, and sent donations to the post to support their projects.”
 
On his 85th birthday on July 10, 2013, Mondy suggested that Boyce and her mom, Peggy Mondy, should join the American Legion Auxiliary. 

“He pulled out his yellowed, onion-skin DD214 and had me make a copy,” Boyce recalled. “I flew home but was too busy helping my husband run our sawmill business to actually look up a local unit and join. Sounds a bit like ‘chip off the old block.’” 
 
Boyce’s father passed away on Christmas Day in 2013. 
 
“His obituary was published in both the Houston Chronicle and the Shiner Gazette,” she said. “A short time later, we read online the article where Dad’s membership was moved to post everlasting. It touched our hearts.”
 
Mondy’s military marker was placed in July 2014. 
 
“Before going out to the cemetery to see it, my mom and I decided to honor Dad first by driving over to our neighborhood American Legion Post 560 in Houston with a copy of his DD214. We completed the ALA application and soon became members,” said Boyce. “A short time later, Post Commander Richard Voorhies heard my mother talking about her service in the Marine Corps. He brought her an application to become a dual member.”
 
Boyce lives in New Jersey but remains a Texas ALA member. 
 
“I fly home to Houston quarterly to be with Mom. Together, we enjoy working on projects to serve our veterans,” said Boyce. “My mom celebrated her 93rd birthday on April 30. She is so supportive of veterans, children’s projects, and sharing her patriotism with everyone she meets. Joining the Legion and ALA was a natural fit for her and me.” 
 
Boyce said she thinks her father would be proud to know they took his suggestion and finally joined. 
“He would also be proud of our service in the American Legion Auxiliary,” she added. “The program has been an excellent venue to use our individual and collective talents to support our veterans, active-duty military, and community. Mom and I enjoy this incredible outlet to use our love of country, veterans, and children to support programs that can make a difference for others in a meaningful and creative way.”