About Us

Mission Statement

The mission of the American Legion Post 14, Southlake is to honor and support Veterans, their families, and the community. We are dedicated to fostering a sense of camaraderie among our members, advocating for the needs of Veterans, and promoting patriotism and community service.

Preamble to the American Legion Constitution

FOR GOD AND COUNTRY WE ASSOCIATE OURSELVES TOGETHER FOR THE FOLLOWING PURPOSES:

  • To uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America;
  • To maintain law and order;
  • To foster and perpetuate a one hundred percent Americanism;
  • To preserve the memories and incidents of our associations in all wars;
  • To inculcate a sense of individual obligation to the community, state, and nation;
  • To combat the autocracy of both the classes and the masses;
  • To make right the master of might;
  • To promote peace and goodwill on earth;
  • To safeguard and transmit to posterity the principles of justice, freedom, and democracy;
  • To consecrate and sanctify our comradeship by our devotion to mutual helpfulness.

HISTORY OF PFC RUTH E. WARLICK AND POST 14

About Ruth E. Warlick

Ruth served as a Private First Class in the Women’s Army Corps (WAC), assigned to the 1202nd Army Air Force Base Unit during World War II. She was a passenger aboard C-47B #44-76406 of the U.S. Army Air Force when it vanished off the coast of Ghana on May 30, 1945. The flight, a routine trip from Accra, British West Africa, to Liberia, carried 18 WAC members. Ruth was later reported missing in action and officially declared dead.

She was among 159 WACs who arrived in Accra in November 1944 to serve with the Air Transport Command, which delivered troops, supplies, and aircraft around the world. The women of the 1202nd Unit were chosen for their maturity and professional experience, averaging 28 years old and representing diverse backgrounds. Their service reflected the strength and dedication of women who played vital roles in the war effort far from home.

About Betty Gribble

We honor our Post 14’s longest serving Legionnaire: PFC Betty Gribble. Betty enlisted underage in the US Army to serve as a clerk during WWII. She stayed on active duty for two years and returned to civilian life, only to be called up by her old commanding officer to become his secretary as a DOD employee.  Still spirited, sharp, and witty, Betty was our guest speaker at our Christmas party last year. Like our Post namesake, Ruth E. Warlick, Betty is a true pioneer and patriot.

AMERICAN LEGION POST 14, SOUTHLAKE, TX

Founded by passionate patriots, our organization is driven by a deep respect for the sacrifices made by our military community. We are a collective group of veterans from all branches who come together to support each other and our goals. Our personalities are as diverse as our skills, but we focus on our mission, just as we did during our military service. We welcome you to join us in completing our MISSION, the four pillars of the American Legion:

Our Leadership Team

Jack W Baxter
Commander

Rick Groesch
1St Vice Commander

William J. Deal (Bill)
Adjutant

Chris Hill
Chaplain

Tracy Sligar
Sgt At Arms

Benedict Britton (Brit)
2nd Vice Commander

Alec Knight
JAG

John Barker
Historian

Who We Are and What We DO

Founded in 1919

In 1919, The American Legion was founded on four pillars: Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation, National Security, Americanism, and Children & Youth. Each of these pillars encompasses a variety of programs that benefit our nation’s veterans, its service members, their families, the youth of America, and ordinary citizens. These programs make a difference in hundreds of thousands of lives each year.

Making A Difference on State, Local, & National Levels

The resolutions passed by American Legion National Convention delegates, committee, and commission members represent 2.6 million wartime veterans and their families, guiding our organization’s positions and programs. These programs and the men and women who perform them allow The American Legion to make a difference locally, on the state, and national levels. It’s who we are and what we do.