Americanism
Emma Peoples, Chairman

Girls Scout Achievement Award        Americanism Essay Instruction Sheet        Americanism Youth Conference Brochure      American Youth Conference Application       

Americanism Report Form 09/10

There are various ways each Unit can participate in the Americanism Program.  They range from youth programs such as Americanism Essay contest, American Youth Conference, Girl Scout Achievement and the Junior Americanism program, Operation Military Kids; from community patriotism and citizenship ideas such as Fly Our Flag, Get Out the Vote, Kids Vote and Patriotic Holidays observations; to collaborative programs and activities such as Healing Fields, Month of the Military Child, Pocket Flag Project, Citizens Flag Alliance and Supporting our Military Families. 

Americanism Essay Contest

This Essay contest is a great way to mentor children in local schools while promoting and recognizing outstanding achievement in patriotism and citizenship. Title of the essays is: “What is my Patriotic Role as a U.S. Citizen?”.  The word count criteria for the entries includes          
                                                                                                               Grade 3-4….150-250 word count
                                                                                                               Grade 5-6….250-300 word count
                                                                                                               Grade 7-8….350-400 word count
                                                                                                               Grade 9-10..450-500 word count and
                                                                                                               Grade 11-12..450-500 word count

The Western Division winner will receive a $100 Savings Bond plus a citation.  The National winner will receive a $500 Savings Bond plus citation plaque. 

Contact public schools early in the year asking for support of the essay contest.  Consider private schools, home schooled children and Junior members.  Work with classroom teachers.

American Youth Conference

The American Youth Conference is hosted by the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.  This year it will be held March 5-8, 2009.  Students must be in grades 10-12 and must submit a 500 word essay entitled “Standing on the shoulders of giants-how Americas veterans have shaped the world”. 

This conference centers on topics such as freedom, civil rights and responsibilities, citizenship and American history.  The program allows students to explore within themselves interpersonal skills and leadership potential.

The National Spirit of Youth fund covers the cost of registration and a transportation stipend for one representative from our state.  A limited number of others may qualify to attend at their own expense.  Brochures are available from Department headquarters for Units to request and distribute to schools, Girl and Boy Staters, and Juniors among others.  Units should contact counselors, history teachers, debate coaches and PTA to help encourage students.

Girl Scout Achievement Award

The Girl Scout Achievement award honors a Girl Scout who has earned the Girl Scout “Gold Award” for her outstanding involvement in her school, church and community.  Units should reach out to local Girl Scout troops and councils for distribution of information.  Brochures are available and may be obtained from Department Headquarters. 

Share the importance of this award with your members.   Honor your selection for this award in your local community.  The application for this award can be accessed on this site.  The Girl Scout must submit a 500 word essay and letter of recommendation.  One $1,000 scholarship will be awarded. 

ALA Junior programs

Units should work in conjunction with their Junior Chairman or the Department Junior Chairman to provide mentoring for Junior members about citizenship, flag etiquette and patriotism.  Encourage Junior members to serve as mentors in their schools by modeling patriotism during sporting events as they demonstrate proper flag etiquette.  There is a Junior Americanism Award available for any Junior member wishing to participate in this program. 

Unit Award

Dorothy Pear Plaque, is an American Legion Auxiliary nationally recognition award for the best program targeted at children and youth.  The Unit is required to type a story telling what they did in less than 1,000 words.  The Unit may include 5 or less pictures or news articles. 

Fly Our Flag

Encourage businesses, organizations and citizens within your community to display flags.  Educate citizens on proper flag etiquette.  Provide flags to schools and churches.  Most importantly recognize local businesses flying the flag. 

Units may wish to obtain and distribute to local schools “For Which it Stands,” “America’s Veterans” and/or “George Learns the Pledge”.  These may be ordered from National Emblem Sales by calling 888-453-4466.

Units could hold a flag education class at a school assembly or in the classroom.  An idea to recognize students who participate might be to prepare completion certificates for teachers to distribute to the children as they learn the pledge.

Get Out the Vote

Elections don’t just take place every four years.  Voting is an important part of our rights as citizens.  Encourage local citizens to vote.  A good Unit project might be to sponsor a “Meet the Candidates” night. 

Kids Vote

What fun you can have with this Americanism project.  Involve students K-12 in the voting process through the Kids Vote program.  Present your plans to your school administration and encourage your local schools to participate.  Make sure you coordinate with teachers.  Members might hold a mock election on the week prior to the national election or a local election for students in grades 4-6.  For more information refer to www.kidsvotingusa.org .

Patriotic Holidays

Remind your community that “Every Day is Veterans Day” by holding American Legion Auxiliary activities around patriotic holidays.  Involve schools and local businesses, most importantly your local paper.

New initiatives this year include…

Operation Military Kids

OMK promotes a variety of opportunities for the children of locally deployed military personnel by providing information on American Legion Auxiliary Americanism programs.  Assemble American Legion Auxiliary information packets to distribute to National Guard and reserve sites.  Then stay in touch to help the children with any questions concerning American Legion Auxiliary programs.

AYC Facebook

Networking is such an important part of a successful future.  This electronic communication is a great avenue for students who have attended the American Youth Conference to stay in touch throughout their lives. 

Programs in which the Auxiliary can help American Legion include…

Constitutional Speech Contest

Help your American Legion Post contact the high school, home schooled teenagers, and private schools in your area and promote participation.  The debate coach, English or history teachers may find this a valuable tool for helping their students. The student presents a prepared speech and is prepared to speak on any article of the Constitution.  This contest is open to grades 9-12 and is a great way for students to learn about the US Constitution.   The youth have an opportunity to earn scholarship money every year they compete.  The competition begins in the local post then moves to district and department levels.  For the student representing the Department of Washington, they have to opportunity to travel to the National competition and, if successful at winning the National competition, they again will be awarded significant scholarship money. 

Blue Star Banner

The blue star banner was an important part of patriotism for our forefathers.  For local families with family members who are members of the Armed Forces stress and loneliness can be a part of their lives, especially if their family member is overseas.  Units can have a meaningful impact in their communities if they choose to present these local families with Blue Star Banners.   Remember the number of stars indicate the number of active duty members the family has.  Units may wish to host an evening honoring these families.  What a great way to make them feel a part of the community. 

Blue star banners may be purchased from National Emblem Sales in fabric or paper packs.  To order call 888-453-4466. 

American Legion Baseball

What a fun way to spend the baseball season.  Volunteer to assist the local post with man hour and fundraising for the local teams. 

Junior Shooting Sports

This a competition sport for the American Legion.  Units could encourage young women to compete.  Help Posts by contacting the Girl Scouts, 4-H, Jr ROTC etc with information.  Assist the Post in raising funds for purchase of air rifles for the youth.  And help is always needed solicit sponsors.

Collaborative Programs and Activities include…

Healing Fields

Healing Fields is a national movement to sponsor awareness or memorial issues within your community.  For information contact: Phone 866-375-3524 or www. healingfield.org

Month of the Military Child

Honor military children in your community with activities for them or an event honoring them anytime in April.

Pocket Flag Project

The Pocket Flag Project honors those serving in war.  It involves purchasing small flag fabric, folding each flag properly and placing each flag in a small plastic bag with a card which states, “A flag for your pocket so you can always carry a little piece of home.  We are praying for your and we are proud of you.”  For more information contact:  www.pocketflagproject.com.

Citizens Flag Alliance

The Citizens Flag Alliance is a project to protect the American Flag.  Work with your post to help legislate passage of the Flag Amendment.  Write letters to your congressmen and senators to encourage passage.  Contact others in your community and encourage them to contact their elected representative as well.