Auburn Heights MOMS of America War Memorial

MOMS of America (Mothers of Men in Service) was first organized in Dearborn, MIchigan, on November 13, 1941. Dearborn became Unit #1 of the organization that would spread across Michigan and later, the entire U.S. Pontiac, Michigan, organized Unit #2, and in the former Pontiac Township (known today as the City of Auburn Hills), Unit #19 was organized in 1942 in Auburn Heights and Unit #21 was organized in the Galloway Lake area. By 1946, Michigan had about 50 MOMS units in communities across the state.

The first national convention of MOMS units was held in Washington, D.C. in 1944. Two years later, Michigan hosted the national MOMS convention in Detroit. Alice Polasek of Auburn Heights served as national recording secretary of MOMS in1951, and Alta Scantland of Auburn Heights held the position of national president in 1957.

MOMS raised funds by hosting dinners, and provided servicemen in hospitals with wheelchairs, television sets, beds, and other items. The monument on Auburn Road, erected by MOMS Unit #19 and dedicated on September 29, 1946, pays honor to the residents of the Auburn Heights/Pontiac Township area who served in the armed forces during World War II.

Randall, Natalie Kilmer. Pontiac Township, 1827-1983: The End of an Era. [Pontiac Township, MI? : The Author], 1983, pp.77, 78, 93.

“MOMS Continues to Work for Veterans,” Oxford Leader, May 6, 1976, p.B9.

"MOMS Name State Women," Detroit Free Press, May 20, 1951, p.6A.

"MOMS to Sponsor Park Suppers," Rochester Era, June 24, 1949, p.8.

"Dedication Rite Attracts 1,500," Pontiac Daily Press, September 30, 1946.