ALA, Dept of Washington

Respect is both earned and learned. The fundamental value of the American Legion Auxiliary is showing respect for our country and our nation’s flag. The Auxiliary creates opportunities for Americans to do both. We share practical things everyone can do to better live as grateful, patriotic citizens. The Auxiliary provides learning opportunities and instructional resources for important things every good citizen should know such as learning about the Constitution, flying the flag on patriotic holidays, folding pocket flags to send to our troops overseas, and presenting flags to local schools and businesses.

The Auxiliary is very serious about this part of our mission. Last year Americanism program participants donated 48,000 flags to schools across America and mailed 65,000 pocket flags to soldiers overseas. The Auxiliary is a member of the Citizens Flag Alliance and advocates for a constitutional amendment to protect the flag by supporting the federal legislation and encouraging other people to do so.

To help our country’s most promising young citizens learn firsthand the principles of our free republic guided by the principles of democracy, the Auxiliary promotes many patriotic youth programs, most notably American Legion Auxiliary Girls State and American Legion Auxiliary Girls Nation, held regionally and nationally, and the Americanism Essay Contest, which is conducted in local school systems.

We believe promoting a spirit of patriotism by teaching about it develops lifelong respect for what we hold dear, our country and her flag.