"How do we keep Lincoln's promise to our veterans and their families?"

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1 American Legion Auxiliary Plan of Action Americanism Program Department of Virginia Old Glory Tour Proudly Promoting Patriotism PROMOTING PATRIOTISM AND RESPONSIBLE CITIZENSHIP help us fulfill our brand promise (Centennial Goal 5) by giving U.S. citizens a chance to participate in our mission by feeling patriotic and demonstrating their support in an active, visible way. What is this program, and why do we have it? The purpose of the Americanism Program is to inspire, recognize, and perpetuate responsible citizenship through education and acts of patriotism, in order to raise awareness and increase appreciation of the price paid for our fundamental freedoms. The annual Americanism Essay Contest encourages participants to learn about the fundamental rights and freedoms we enjoy today. Each year's contest has a different theme. This year s theme is: "How do we keep Lincoln's promise to our veterans and their families?" In Abraham Lincoln s second inaugural address, he promised, To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan, by serving and honoring the men and women who are America s veterans. Additional information and the essay coversheet are included in this plan. 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 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 learn more, visit Where can you request more information? Department Chairman: Staci King; 1526 Hiddenbrook Drive, Herndon, VA Phone: (571) americanism@vaauxiliary.org Vice Chairman: Ginger Marlowe; 1078 Rivermont Drive, Front Royal, VA Phone: (540) kipnaddy@gmail.com Advisor: Pearl Klingebiel; Cypress Ridge Terrace #418, Leesburg, VA Phone: (703) derrygirl2012@yahoo.com Department Website: National Website:

2 How do you showcase your achievements? Mid-Year reports shall be submitted to the Department Chairman, Staci King postmarked or ed by December 1, 2015 for inclusion in her mid-year report to the National level. Please showcase any and all of your great work in the first half of the year this can be a few sentences and a photo or two! Year-End reports and all award applications shall be submitted as a combined packet to the Department Secretary/Treasurer postmarked by April 15, Additional details for reports and awards are included in the pages that follow. What can you do this year? 1. Be knowledgeable on flag history, etiquette and proper disposal methods; and promote the observation of patriotic holidays so your community will look to the ALA for information. Below are a few examples. Conduct a flag disposal ceremony. Host flag awareness events and communicate information in schools, post home, public events. Participate in local patriotic holiday events. Organize a patriotic holiday event. Encourage local businesses to fly a flag, especially on patriotic holidays. Encourage members to fly a flag. Order pocket flag kits and distribute to members for assembly. Identify and distribute assembled pocket flags to active-duty military overseas. 2. Encourage members to vote and to support the amendment to protect the United States flag from desecration. The amendment currently reads, The Congress shall have power to prohibit the physical desecration of the flag of the United States. Encourage members to contact state and federal representatives, asking them to support the flag amendment. Encourage members to participate in Get Out the Vote and Kids Voting USA campaigns. o Guidelines: and Encourage member participation at the annual ALA Washington DC Conference. 3. Increase participation in the Americanism Essay Contest. In Abraham Lincoln s second inaugural address, he promised, To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan, by serving and honoring the men and women who are America s veterans. This year s theme is "How do we keep Lincoln's promise to our veterans and their families?" Contact schools and other organizations such as the Young Marines, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts about the essay contest. Offer incentives for essay winners. Encourage Junior members to participate in the essay contest. Create information packets explaining contest rules, deadline dates, theme and award opportunities. Contact the essay winner s parents and ask if they would bring their child to your next Auxiliary meeting to read his/her winning essay. Provide refreshments. Work with school administration to identify guidance counselors, history teachers, etc., whose

3 students would be interested in participating. o Arrange for a day with the schools (preferably during a student assembly) to present the essay winners with their prizes. Provide a cash award and/or savings bond. Be sure to include this information on your unit report to your district, department and national chairman. 4. Promote pride in belonging to the world s largest women s patriotic organization, the American Legion Auxiliary. Encourage members to wear and display their name, unit and/or department identification badge. Encourage members to wear Auxiliary apparel and/or jewelry to functions and when volunteering. Encourage members to wear and display the Honoring Their Service button depicting the veteran who made them eligible for Auxiliary membership. Encourage members to carry membership applications for the Legion Family. Plan an annual program to recognize and honor your unit s Junior members who will become eligible for senior membership. Make it a special occasion, and honor the contributions they have made to your unit as Junior members. 5. Participate in the promotion of American Legion Americanism programs. Work with the post and/or district Americanism chairman. Support American Legion Baseball. Sponsor a team; help with statistics; woman the concession booth; hold a fundraiser; or drive the team to games. Support the Oratorical Contest either at your post level or district level. o Offer to provide volunteers as timekeepers or judges. o Offer to host a contest. o Help recruit candidates at local schools and other organizations. Support Junior Shooting Sports, which promote gun safety and marksmanship training for youth. o Offer to provide refreshments on event day. o Arrange transportation and/or supervision on event day. o Host an event at your post home, if you have the space. Americanism Program Reporting Mid-Year Reports Each Unit Americanism chairman is requested to submit a narrative report by December 15, 2015, to Staci King, Department Americanism Chairman at 1526 Hiddenbrook Drive, Herndon, VA 20170, or Americanism@vaauxiliary.org. Year-End Reports Each Unit Americanism chairman is requested to submit a narrative report by April 15, 2016, to Department Secretary/Treasurer at 1708 Commonwealth Avenue, Richmond, VA Please include word count. As part of your narrative reports, please consider the following questions: How many Americanism essays did you receive? How many children did you sponsor in the Oratorical Contest? How many flag programs did you provide, including flag disposal ceremonies? How did you promote patriotic holidays? How did you encourage support of the flag amendment?

4 How many units promoted Junior Shooting Sports? How? Did you support American Legion Baseball? How? How did you promote the American Legion Auxiliary in your community? How many pocket flags were folded for active-duty military serving overseas? Americanism Awards Department Award: Most Outstanding Overall Program. A plaque will be presented to the Unit Chairman at Department Convention reporting the Most Outstanding Overall Program. Entries must be double-spaced in narrative form and not exceed 1000 words. The cover page should have the Unit Name and Number, District Number, and the name and addresses of both the Unit Chairman and Unit President and word count. A copy of the Unit s Department Report Form must accompany the narrative. Entries must be submitted to Department Secretary/Treasurer and postmarked by April 15, Department Award: Convention Award. A special item will be presented at the Department Convention to the Unit having the Most Original and Creative Community Service Program. Entry requirements are the same as the Most Outstanding Overall Program Award. See above details. National Awards Please be sure each National award entry includes a coversheet and make arrangements for the return of materials in advance, if desired. All applications must be submitted to Department Secretary/Treasurer postmarked by April 15, All awards, with the exception of the Unit Award, will be announced at national convention during the Community Service pre-convention meetings. The winners of the Unit Award will be announced on the convention floor. Unit Award: Dorothy Pearl Most Outstanding Americanism Award Type of Award: Citation presented to one Unit Americanism chairman in each division (5 awards), announced at national convention Materials and Guidelines: For the most outstanding overall Unit Americanism program targeted to children and youth during the administrative year. Include pictures and newspaper articles to support the narrative. Unit Award: Most Outstanding Junior Americanism Program Committee Member Type of Award: Citation plaque presented to one Unit Americanism chairman, announced at national convention Materials and Guidelines: Entry must be typewritten in narrative format, not to exceed 1,000 words with a maximum of five photos and news articles attached. Unit Award: Million Members Award Type of Award: Citation Plaque presented to one unit chairman in each division (5 overall awards) Materials and Guidelines: For the best demonstration on how working the mission of the Americanism Committee engaged, retained and attracted members to grow membership in the unit. Include pictures and newspapers articles.

5 Americanism Essay Contest This year s theme is "How do we keep Lincoln's promise to our veterans and their families?" Student Award: Americanism Essay Contest Type of award: Citation, $50 prize and additional $50 honorarium added to the Children of Warriors National Presidents Scholarship Fund. Presented to: Thirty (30) students total, six (6) from each division, one (1) student for every age group (class) in each division Materials and Guidelines: The contest shall include six (6) classes. Class Grade Level Word Requirement I 3 and II 5 and III 7 and IV 9 and V 11 and VI Students w/ special needs Word count should correspond with student s grade level. Students with special needs are defined as: o Those in special education classes o A student recommended for special education classes, but who has not been admitted due to a waiting list or various other factors o A child identified as having a disability, but not in a special education class due to lack of facilities; identification contingent upon discretion of school officials All entries must include the Americanism Essay Contest coversheet. Unit winners are due to the Department Americanism chairman by March 15, National winners will be informed of their award via communication from National Headquarters directly following National Convention o At this time, a copy of the letter sent to the student along with a citation will be sent to the department to forward on to the unit. The department and unit should arrange a public recognition of the student s achievement. Additional Resources You Can Use 1. Emblem Sales: - flag education DVD: explains the history, significance, meaning, proper display and treatment of the U.S. flag. Let s Be Right on Flag Etiquette - a question and answer booklet on proper flag etiquette. 2. The American Legion Flag Advocacy: 3. The American Legion s Action Program of Americanism brochure: 4. Capitol Building flags: To order flags flown over the Capitol, contact your congressional representative or senator or visit his/her website. Flags are available for a nominal fee; four to six weeks should be allowed for delivery. 5. Your national committee members 6. Promote the Pocket Flag Project. At time of publication of the Plan of Action the pocket flags are $85.00 per 300 flags.

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7 American Legion Auxiliary National Award Cover Sheet This cover sheet should be attached to each narrative submitted for a national award. Please fill out the information as completely and accurately as possible. Award certificates will be completed using the information given on this sheet, so please write carefully. All awards will be mailed to the department office after national convention. Department presidents may wish to recognize award recipients by presenting them at a department function. National committee sponsoring award: Type of Award: Department Unit Member Name of the award you are applying for: Complete the following if you are applying for a department award: Name of department: Name of department chairman: Chairman s phone number: ( ) ALA member ID#: Chairman s address: Please complete the following if you are applying for a unit award. Be sure to give the complete name of your unit. The award certificate will be prepared using the information you include below. Unit #: Full official unit name: Unit president/chairman (circle one) name: _ Phone number: (_ ) ALA member ID#: address: Please complete the following if you are applying for a member award. Be sure to give the complete name of the member. The award certificate will be prepared using the information you include below. Unit #: Full official unit name: Member Name: ALA member ID#: Nominating Member (if different from above): Nominator s Phone number: ( ) Nominator s address:

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