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AMERICANISM eBulletin
[email protected] January 2019
World War One Centennial Commission
National Education Plan and Resources
Resolution No. 11 approved by the National Executive Committee of The American
Legion in May 2016 titled World War I Centennial Commission Education Plan (a resolu-
tion brought forth by the Committee on Youth Education and the Americanism Commis-
sion) commends the World War One Centennial Commission for its tactical, vital and crea-
tive national education plan. The plan reflects visionary and collaborative approaches to
educating young students, teachers and adults across the nation about World War I.
The World War One Centennial Commission seeks to broaden teacher and student
experiences, enhance learning about all things World War I, and help veterans connect
with young students by urging local posts to reach out to teachers so as to seek opportuni-
ty for discussing their military experiences, post histories, and Americanism. Whether one
wishes to teach young students about World War I or simply want to learn more for other
academic, professional or personal purposes, the World War One Centennial Commission
invites teachers, students, veterans and Americans all across the nation to explore and
use their educational tools and resources.
The Americanism Commission hopes you will take time to read, use and share the
information and resources provided by the World War One Centennial Commission on the
following page, and seek opportunity to help educate young students and other Americans
about the importance of what is becoming one of the most forgotten pieces of American
history - World War I.
Over 100 years ago, the United States mobilized 4.7 million doughboys, marines, sailors, and for the first time, women in
uniform, to help “make the world safe for democracy.” The U.S. World War I Centennial Commission was created by an
Act of Congress in 2013 to commemorate the Centennial of World War I (WWI). The WWI Centennial Commission has
set up up a special landing page for veterans and military service organizations and their communities at www.ww1cc.org/
veterans. You may also learn about progress on America’s National World War One Memorial at www.ww1cc.org/
memorial.
Education Initiatives.
All history has a starting point. Within the core mission of the WWI Centennial Commission lies the responsibility to edu-
cate Americans about the generation who endured the Great War. With that goal in mind the Education Team at the
WWI Centennial Commission has undertaken the process of educating both young students and adults on the importance
of one the most forgotten pieces of American history. By the time the WWI Centennial Commission sunsets in July 2019
they will have reached 20 million students across the country, and millions more American adults through their various
programs. Specific programs links and more information may be found below:
Who They Were: https://www.nhd.org/who-they-were
This program helps students, as well as everyday Americans, find out more about their local servicemen and women from the First World War. It is conducted through the WWI Centennial Commission’s partner, National History Day.
Teacher Trainings from the Gilder Lehrman Institute: https://www.gilderlehrman.org/teacher-seminars
In partnership with the Gilder Lehrman Institute, the WWI Centennial Commission will support thorough and substantive teacher trainings across the country through 2019.
Education Newsletter: https://www.theworldwar.org/education/archive
In partnership with the National World War One Museum and Memorial the WWI Centennial Commission cre-ates bi-monthly resource newsletters on various topics related to the First World War.
World War One Commission Education Resources Page: https://www.worldwar1centennial.org/educate-home.html
The WWrite Blog. Literature/poetry from and about the era as well as present day contributions: https://
www.worldwar1centennial.org/index.php/articles-posts.html
Community Veteran and Military Service Outreach. A veteran coming home today from Afghanistan or the Middle East
would find they have much in common with the doughboys, sailors, marines, and women of 100 years ago. Technologies
and comforts may change over time, but the veteran experience remains the same. The WWI Centennial Commission
seeks to broaden teacher and student experiences, enhance learning about all things World War One, and connect current
veterans with students by urging local posts to reach out to teachers to discuss veteran experiences, post histories, and
Americanism. Your efforts in contributing to understanding the veteran’s experience and helping students appreciate
history can help create better citizens
For more information about these education initiatives of the WWI Centennial Commission, you may contact David W.
Hamon at (540) 379-8584 or [email protected].
NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF
THE AMERICAN LEGION INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA
MAY 4 - 5, 2016 Resolution No. 11: World War I Centennial Commission Education Plan Origin: Committee on Youth Education Submitted By: Americanism Commission
WHEREAS, The Preamble of The American Legion in its constitution states as a foundational purpose: “To preserve the memories and incidents of our associations in the Great Wars”; and
WHEREAS, The United States World War I Centennial Commission was founded by an Act of Congress in 2013, and its membership includes members of The American Legion; and
WHEREAS, The commission is responsible for serving as lead organizer for the nation’s World War I commemorative events; and
WHEREAS, A major goal of the commission is to “develop educational programs targeted at a variety of audiences and delivered through a variety of broadcast, print and digital media, with the goal of teaching Americans about the country’s most forgotten war”; and
WHEREAS, The commission made public its “National Education Plan” in July 2015; and WHEREAS, The commission’s education plan, as reviewed by the Americanism
Commission’s Committee on Youth Education, reflects a visionary and collaborative approach to reaching every student and teacher in grades 5-12 across the nation by 2019 with fully-inclusive curricula, and the plan also coincides with The American Legion’s 21st Century Policy on Education; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, By The National Executive Committee of The American Legion in regular meeting assembled in Indianapolis, Indiana, on May 4-5, 2016, That The American Legion proudly commends The United States World War I Centennial Commission for its tactical, vital and creative National Education Plan; and, be it finally
RESOLVED, That this commendation is done at no cost to The American Legion which withholds all grants of authority to use The American Legion’s name and/or trademark without specific authority, except in fair-use reporting of this resolution.
AMERICANISM eBulletin
[email protected] February 2019
AMERICANISM PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES
“BY THE NUMBERS” FOR 2018
It is a privilege to share the following impact numbers that represent all of our hard work
and dedication to foster youth and citizenship development, and to support veterans and
their families throughout the nation. These 2018 “By The Numbers” represent what we did
throughout last year – it includes numbers on program participation, grant fulfillment, con-
tributions, and more. “By The Numbers” represents our collective efforts to uphold two of
the Four Pillars of The American Legion for which we are so passionate – those of Ameri-
canism and Youth. These numbers also represent “100% Americanism” at its very finest.
I urge you to share these numbers with leaders within your respective departments and
communities, and also with the public, to bring awareness to the impact that The American
Legion has upon today’s youth and our nation’s future leaders.
Richard Anderson, Chairman Americanism Commission
AMERICANISM PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES “BY THE NUMBERS” FOR 2018 American Legion Baseball (ALB) 54,788 youth came together to form 3,486 teams playing American Legion Baseball throughout the nation
(2,228 senior teams and 1,258 junior teams). 1,152 players participated at the eight national regional tournaments of which 144 went on to play in the
American Legion World Series. A total of 610,000 viewers watched the American Legion World Series on ESPNU, an increase of 5,000
from 2017. There were over 3.9 million visits to Legion Baseball websites over June, July and August, which broke a
record for that time period. American Legion Baseball social media accounts received over 1.35 million impressions in July and Au-
gust, which was an increase from the previous record, set in 2017 The biggest traction American Legion Baseball received was due to two stellar plays during the champion-
ship game, both of which went viral on social media and were ranked first and third on ESPN’s SportsCenter. The plays combined to reach over seven million people on social media and countless mil-lions more on television world-wide
64,389 subscribers to the American Legion Baseball e-newsletter “The Dugout”; an increase of 19,389 sub-scribers from the previous year.
There are 79 American Legion Baseball program alumni who are enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
Junior Shooting Sports 1,352 individual athletes entered the postal round competition. 204 four-person teams entered the postal round competition, this is an increase of 30 teams from the previ-
ous year. Boys State 18,241 participants in 50 Boys State programs. The Department of Washington D.C. officially reinstituted
a Boys State program this year. Scouting and The American Legion 4,439 youth were recognized by The American Legion with a certificate issued at the national level for their
achievement in the Boy Scouts of America. A total of 2,346 Scouting units were chartered by Legion Family across the nation; American Legion posts
chartered 2,300 and Sons of The American Legion squadrons chartered 32 and American Legion Auxiliary units chartered 14, involving 61,541 young people and 23,212 adult leaders.
22 Legion Family members recognized with a Scouting Square Knot Award of The American Legion for their active involvement in The American Legion’s Scouting programs.
Youth Cadet Law Enforcement 21 American Legion departments have an established Youth Cadet Law Enforcement program involving
1,254 youth. Oratorical The 2018 Consolidated Post Report indicates there were 1,125 oratorical contests conducted across the na-
tion involving 10,505 youth competitors. National Youth 2,865 youth were involved in national-level Legion youth program events, tournaments, contests and activi-
ties. A variety of program information was exhibited at national professional conferences to a combined total of
12,230 students, school educators and administrators, baseball and oratorical coaches, Boy Scouts and Scout leaders, and junior shooting coaches and competitors from throughout the nation.
Youth Education $1,300,804 in fundraising was amassed during National Commander Denise Rohan’s Legacy Run year span-
ning Oct 1, 2017 – Sept 30, 2018; an increase of $29,974 from the previous year. 245 students were awarded $1,200,936 in academic scholarships at the national level. The 2018 Consolidated Post Report states that 24,470 students from throughout the nation were presented an
American Legion School Award Medal; an increase of 2,299 from last year. Flag
The 2018 Consolidated Post Report indicates there were 4,319 Flag Day activities and 23,235 flag presenta-tions conducted across the nation.
50,378 subscribers to the Flag Half-Staff Notification Alert email; an increase of 3,236 from last year. Get Out The Vote The 2018 Consolidated Post Report reflects there were 1,500 Get Out The Vote activities conducted in com-
munities throughout the country. Legion Conferences 435 Legion family members attended the annual national Children & Youth Conference and Combined
Americanism Conferences in Indianapolis. Four Chaplains Sunday The 2018 Consolidated Post Report reflects that 1,417 activities were conducted in observance of Four
Chaplains Sunday. Temporary Financial Assistance (TFA) 376 minor children of 179 veterans throughout 35 states received $228,975 in non-repayable cash grant as-
sistance at the national level. American Legion Child Welfare Foundation (CWF) Over $562,053 was received in CWF donations; $327,594 was contributed by the Sons of The American Le-
gion. In October 2018 the CWF Board of Directors awarded $766,761 in grants to 24 non-profit organizations that
contribute to the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual needs of children and youth. American Legion Endowment Fund Over $433,125 were received in donations to the American Legion Endowment Fund. $136,200 was transferred to The American Legion from the Endowment Fund for operating Temporary Fi-
nancial Assistance.
