Honoring our veterans is at the core of what we do. Many of our members join the Auxiliary to honor a veteran or veterans in their life. For T. Brieanne Berg Hall, being a member of the American Legion Auxiliary honors her father’s military service.
 
Berg Hall is eligible for ALA membership through her father, U.S. Army Maj. Clarence Victor Hall. She remembers taking her dad’s military background papers to the ALA unit in Kent, Wash., 13 years ago when she became a member. She has since transferred her membership to Wickenburg, Ariz., where she honors her father’s service by volunteering, helping with events, and holding positions in her unit.
 
Maj. Hall joined the Army in 1940, working primarily in the field artillery brigade, spending time overseas in Africa, France, and England. He retired as a major after 33 years of service to his country.
 
“His men loved him as a leader,” said Berg Hall. “As a child, I saw him in parades and later as a major at a podium where several groups marched in perfect unison facing him. What a wonderful tribute and display.”
 
In addition to Maj. Hall’s service, he graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in science and earned his Master of Business Administration from the University of Minnesota to become a microbiologist.  He worked for Boeing for a year and then spent 30 years at the Washington State Health Department. 
 
“His interests were many — photography, playing the organ, cars, reading, gardening, writing charming stories, and woodworking,” said Berg Hall. “He helped build his home in Bellevue, Washington, and his dad’s home on Lake Washington in Lake City, Washington.” He acquired his building skill in his early years in the military helping build living quarters for the military in Alaska.
 
Maj. Hall received several awards for his service.
 
“The most elegant military award was on rice paper, when he was in charge of the Fort Lewis Ammunition [now part of Joint Base Lewis-McChord],” said Berg Hall. “That one is worth framing.”