The national president of the American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) toured Alpharetta's Walk of Memories on Oct. 19, visiting the only memorial of its kind in Georgia.
Dr. Coral May Grout visited American Legion Post 201 on Wills Road, where she walked through the memorial garden honoring Georgia veterans killed in military conflicts, Appen Media first reported. She also served as guest of honor at a dinner attended by Legion and Auxiliary leadership from across the state.
Grout, a member of Eugene M. Connor Unit 193 in Winchendon, Mass., told attendees she plans to focus on establishing scholarships for military spouses. Frequent moves by military families, coupled with the difficulty of transferring college credits between institutions, make earning degrees especially hard for spouses, she said.
The ALA's 2026-2027 administrative year emphasizes education, including expanding its Spirit of Youth scholarships to two military spouses. Specific award amounts, eligibility criteria and application details have not been announced.
Grout was elected national president at the ALA's 105th National Convention in Louisville, Ky. She addressed delegates from the convention stage.
"As we take these department and national offices, we accept not only a title, but a trust … in support of our veterans, military, children, and our communities," she said.
Before her election, Grout held leadership roles at every level of the organization, serving as national secretary, national historian and national vice president, among other positions. She spent more than 50 years in education, working as an English teacher and later as a superintendent.
The Walk of Memories holds nearly 8,000 inscribed bricks bearing the names of Georgians who served in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard. The memorial spans conflicts from the Indian War through Afghanistan and honors 17 Medal of Honor recipients. Military equipment on display includes an M60 tank, a UH-1 Huey helicopter flown during the 1968 Tet Offensive and a Navy gun removed from the USS Polk County.
Post 201, founded in 1947, occupies 13 acres at 201 Wills Road. Residents who want to honor a veteran can purchase an inscribed brick for a $50 donation by emailing [email protected]. A full calendar of upcoming events is available at legion201.org.
