Americanism

United We Stand in "Service not Self"  

The rain gently sprayed from the clouds as I slowly walked between the headstones." This one," grandfather explained, indicating with his outstretched finger. I delicately squished the " pole" of the miniature flag into the moist ground. "Poppy, why do we do this?" I inquired. My grandfather proceeded to explain to me that day, that the flag we graced each Veterans' grave with, was a symbol of everything that those war heroes fought and died for.

What you just read was a small excerpt from an essay of a student on Americanism. This is exactly what we must teach our youth!

Americanism can be described as pride in our country and flag. Courage from our veterans and service men and women who served and still serve our country. Sacrifice from those who gave their life, or our service men and women who give up their families to give us peaceful days and nights. Honor and loyalty to serve a grateful nation. These powerful words are like snow flakes when added together make an avalanche of Patriotism.

Our Flag represents our nation's struggles for truth and freedom. Our Americanism programs should be to educate our young  for they are our hope of tomorrow; praise our veterans for they our our history and honor our service men and women for they are our peacekeepers. We all must stay active in our quest to keep Americanism alive. From the student above, to you our unit member ,we must work together.

Listed below there are many ways as Americans and members of the American Legion Family to teach and show respect to our Flag, strengthen our country, and salute our veterans and service personnel.

FLAG ETIQUETTE: One of our main goals is to educate our citizens in the proper respect of our Flag. Offer your knowledge to your local schools and community functions in the proper care,display and disposal of the American Flag. Obtain flags for distribution through your local politicians. Promote the Flag Education video through the American Legion and Emblem Sales.

AMERICANISM YOUTH CONFERENCE: This conference is conducted by Freedom Foundation at Valley Forge in Pennsylvania and is offered annually to high school students. It focuses on leadership, patriotism and the history and principles upon which America was founded. The American Legion Auxiliary sponsors this program through your contributions to the Spirit of Youth Fund. Future bulletins will be sent with details for distribution to your local schools.

GET THE VOTE: It is the responsibility and privilege of every American to Vote. Help with registration drives, work with your community organizations to assist the elderly and veterans to get to the polls. Every vote counts...remember the " POWER OF ONE".

BOY AND GIRL SCOUT TROOPS; Check your local community organization directory for the existing troops. Plan a visit or call and arrange a "Flag Etiquette" training session include the Brownies and Cub Scouts. Make it fun and remember it is our duty to offer the Auxiliary's resources. Promote the Girl Scout of the Year Award.

KEYS TO THE CONSTITUTION: This publication is distributed to every citizen at Empire Girl's State. It contains information about the Nation's constitution. Each unit is asked to donate $3.00 to ensure every Girl State citizen may receive a copy. Unit Treasurers are asked to send checks to the County Treasurer. County Treasurers are asked to make checks payable to Treasurer, American Legion Auxiliary, Dept. of New York ,112 State Street, Suite 1310 ,Albany, New York 12207.

COLLABORATIVE PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES: Get involved, learn about and support programs that include Healing Fields, Month of the Military Child, Pocket Flag project, and supporting military families. These programs bring together Veterans, communities and our youth all working with our members for the betterment of military personnel.

 DEPARTMENT AWARD

CHARLOTTE CRAVEN AWARD... Awarded to the UNIT with a membership of 10-99 submitting the most outstanding Americanism Program of the year.

REGINA DAVISON AWARD... Awarded to the UNIT with a membership of 100 or more submitting the most outstanding Americanism Program of the year.

RULES: Entries shall be submitted in narrative form not to exceed 100 words, typewritten on 8 1/2x 11" white paper. An attached flyleaf must include Unit Name, number and location as well as Name and Address of the Americanism chairman. Entries are to be submitted to the County Americanism chairman. who in turn will forward the winning Unit entry to the Department  Americanism chairman...No Later than  May 10, 2011.

NOTE: ONE of the two above DEPARTMENT AWARD WINNERS will be selected for the NATIONAL AMERICANISM AWARD.

MARY SMACK AWARD... Awarded to the Unit initiating and completing the most unique Americanism Program for the year.

HILDA DAVIS AWARD... Awarded to the Unit Member, a naturalized citizen, who by her service to her Unit and Community exemplifies Americanism .

ELEANOR PRIEST AWARD...Awarded to the Unit that submits the best report using music as part of a special program.

VIOLA BABIN AWARD... Awarded to the County submitting the best year round Americanism Program.

RULES...Entries shall be submitted in narrative form not to exceed 500 words, typewritten on "8½ x 11" white paper. An attached flyleaf must include the Unit Number, Location including County, as well as the name and address of the Unit / County Americanism Chairman. All Entries must be submitted  by May 10, 2011

 NATIONAL AWARDS

AMERICANISM ESSAY CONTEST... One award in each of the five classes will be presented in each DIVISION. Winners will receive $50 and a $50 honorarium  in the student's name to the National Presidents Scholarship.  Department Chairman is responsible for informing Units of the deadline date. All DEPARTMENT entries must be postmarked by May 1, 2011, and sent to the Americanism Program Division Chairman must submit her winners to the National Chairman BY JUNE 1, 2011. The essay coversheets are available at www.legion-aux.org. This year's theme will be " How Can I Encourage My Friends to Show Pride in Being an American?" An update bulletin will be shared at a later date.

DEPARTMENT AWARDS...A plaque will be presented to the Department Chairman in each DIVISION reporting the most outstanding overall Americanism Program. The entry must be typewritten in narrative form, not to exceed 1,000 words. Do Not include pictures, clippings, scrapbooks, folder, etc. All entries must be postmarked by June 1, 2011, and sent by the Department Chairman to the Division Chairman.

DOROTHY PEARL PLAQUE... A plaque will be presented to the Unit that reports the most outstanding Americanism Program. targeted to Children & Youth. The entry must be typewritten in narrative form, not to exceed 1,000 words. The entry may include no more then five pictures and news articles. All entries must be postmarked by June 1, 2011, and sent to Committee member Martha Lee Thatcher, 4975 Glennhurst S.W., Canton Ohio 44706-2273.

JUNIOR AMERICANISM AWARD...A plaque will be presented to a Junior group that reports the most outstanding Americanism Program.The entry must be typewritten in narrative form not to exceed 1,000 words. A maximum of five pictures and news articles may be included. All entries must be postmarked by June 1, 2011, and sent to Committee member Joan Reinoehl, 61 Gold Mine Rd., Tower City,PA. 17980

1. Americanism Youth Conference Facebook Page

2. Freedoms Foundation http://www.freedomsfoundation.org/  (800) 896-5488

3. Girl Scout of USA, www.girlscout.org

4. Operation Military Kids, www.operationmilitarykids.org

5. Capitol Building Flags: To order flags flown over the Capitol, contact your Congressional Representative or Senator or visit his/her web site. Flags are available for a nominal fee; 4-6 weeks should be allowed for delivery.

6. Unserviceable Flags, The Ceremony transcript can be found at www.legion.org click on Americanism

7. Kids Vote, www.kidsvotingusa.org

See program page on www.legion-aux.org for additional resources

Unit Chairmen:  Please send   Unit consolidated report form  to reach your County Chairman by November 1, 2010, March 1, 2011 and
May 1, 2011.

County Chairmen:  Please send  County consolidated report form  to reach the Dept. Chairman by November 10, 2010, March 10, 2011 and May 10, 2011.

Jan Mahoney
Department Americanism Chairman
E-Mail mcrazyacres@aol.com

For Chairman's physical address,  contact Chairman or  Department Office 

Note: Forms are in (PDF Format ) and can be filled out using your computer keyboard. However, you cannot save data typed into any  forms unless you have the Full Version of  Adobe Acrobat software! Please print at least 2 copies of your completed form, mail one to the chairman, and save one for your  records. If you try to e-mail it without the Full Version of  Adobe Acrobat software, the chairman will receive a BLANK PAGE...