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I. Patriotism and Citizenship
Program Mission: Educate all citizens about the rights and responsibilities
of being an American citizen and encourage participation in activities that
promote American ideals.
A. Flag Etiquette and Awareness
Goal: To promote respect and love for the American Flag and educate citizens about proper flag etiquette.
1. Distribute materials on flag etiquette to local communities.
2. Units may distribute the video For Which It Stands to schools and youth organizations.
B. Show Your Colors America
Goal: To increase the physical display of the American Flag on public and private properties.
1. Provide flags to schools, churches and organizations
in your community
2. Present certificates to individuals and organizations
that display the flag.
C. Observance of Patriotic Holidays
Goal: To increase community observances of patriotic holidays
1. Plan activities around patriotic holidays and encourage school and community participation.
D. Get Out the Vote
Goal: To increase the awareness of each citizen’s obligation to register to vote.
` 1.Organize voter registration drives in your community.
2. Sponsor a “Meet the Candidates: night at local Posts.
E. Pocket Flag Project
Goal: To get as many pocket flags as we can into the pockets of our
military personnel on the front lines to let them know we care and that we
keep them in our hearts and our prayers.
Units can include their name and
address with each pocket flag. For more information: http://www.pcoketflagproject.com or Pocket Flag Project, P.O. Box 740847, Arvada, Co. 80006
II Youth Programs
Program Mission: Promote and recognize outstanding achievement in patriotism and citizenship
A. Americanism Essay Contest:
The theme for all class will be "Home of the Brave, Land That I Love"
Class Grades Word requirements
I 3 and 4
150-250
II 5 and 6
250-300
III 7 and 8
350-400
IV 9 and 10 450-500
V 11 and 12 450-500
This chairman must receive all entrees no later than April 1, 2007. The student,
with teacher verification, name of school and grade level, must sign each
essay. The Sponsoring Unit Name and President & phone number, address
and Department must be shown on a cover sheet before they can be considered.
Unit Presidents will furnish a cover sheet upon request.
B. Spirit of Youth Conference
Conference will be held at Freedom’s Foundation in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania March 13-16 2008 and is open to students in
grades 10, 11 and 12. The Essay topic is “America-Land of the Free Because of the Brave”. ALA National will sponsor 52 students covering
their $420 registration fee and offering a transportation stipend of $200. Application will be available on National’s website
C. Girl’s Scout Achievement Award:
Applications are available on the National web site and I will send you the application upon request. This 500-word essay
must describe her Gold Star project. The deadline for this application is to Unit Presidents is February 1, 2008 and forwarded to me by March 30, 2008.
D. ALA Junior Programs
Goal: To promote a mentoring atmosphere that teaches about citizenship
and the Flag that encourages Junior involvement and prepares them to be active
Senior members.
1. Encourage participation in the Pocket Flag program
2. Help explore potential funding sources to assist Junior efforts
A citation to be awarded to a Junior group that participates in the Pocket
Flag Project and orders, folds, packages, and distributes a minimum of 300
pocket flags to military personnel. Essay explaining project must be
received by March 1, 2008 in order to be forwarded to National for consideration.
III Supporting American Legion Programs
Program Mission: Support the aims and purposes of the American Legion
Goal: To actively work with the American Legion at the Department and
Post level to increase awareness of and participation in the Oratorical Contest,
legion Baseball, Junior Shooting Program and Blue Star Banner Program.
1. Actively solicit participants in the youth programs through distribution of the program materials at community schools.
2. Work with the Legion to increase the number of Blue Star Banners presented
to families.
IV Awards
A. Clara B Smith Plaque: A plaque awarded to the Department that reports the
most outstanding three-point Americanism program encompassing youth, adult and community. Entry must be typewritten in narrative form not to exceed 1,000 words.
Entry may include pictures (no more than 5) and news articles. Deadline to Department Chairman is April 30, 2008.
B. Awarded to the Unit with the best overall Americanism Program targeted to children and youth. Entries must be in typewritten in narrative
form typewritten not to exceed 1000 words. Entries may include pictures (no more than 5) and news articles. Deadline to Department chairman is April 30, 2008.
Additional information and any forms may be requested by contacting the Americanism
Committee. Please watch the Deadlines, as they are very important in
order to receive the recognition that you deserve.
June Morris
Americanism Chairman
Thkcompanies@sbcglobal.net
Division 1 Pat Seyfert pat1003@charter.net
Division 3 Elaine Bruns elaine_bruns1@sbcglobal.net
Division 4 Mary Gunn MaryEandJoe@aolcom
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