AMERICANISM

OUR PURPOSE

Inspire PatriotismResponsible Citizenship Pride and Respect for our

countryAmerican values

Educate: Let’s Start Here

I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, Indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all.

FLAG HISTORYJune 14, 1777 – FLAG DAY

August 3, 177713 stripes & 13 stars one for each original colony

Colors –RED -WHITE – BLUE –

Next was 15 stripes & 15 stars –

1818 Congress enacted law - 13 horizontal,

alternating red & white stripes representing 13 original colonies in the Union and that a 5 pointed star be added for each state

FLAG HISTORY Mary Pickersgill

1812 hired to sew the “Star Spangled Banner”

Delivered to Fly over Fort McHenry August 19, 1813

Francis Scott Key in September, 1814

Smithsonian’s National Museum of America History

Betsy Ross

Flag Education ToolsLet’s Be Right on Flag Etiquette DVD

Flag CodeHistory of the Flag

YourselfFlag Disposal Ceremonies

Pocket Flags

American Essay Contest

In Abraham Lincoln’s 2nd Inaugural address the promise, “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?”

GET OUT TO VOTECivic dutySupport the Flag Amendment

Contact State and Federal Representatives

Encourage others to do thisParticipate in:

Get out the Vote www.legion.org/vote

Kids Voting USA campaign www.kidsvotingusa.org

Patriotic RemembrancesPatriot Day-September 11 Constitution day – September 17Pow/Mia recognition day – September 18 Veterans Day – November 11Pearl Harbor Day – December 7Memorial Day – May 30Flag Day – June 14Independence Day – July 4

American Legion Americanism Programs Support – Volunteer - Sponsor

Legion Baseball

Junior Shooting Sports

Oratorical Contest

Promote PRIDE in our OrganizationWear name badge - Name, Unit #,

DepartmentWear your Auxiliary jewelry to functionsPrepare a short speech to explain the

Auxiliary and its programs to potential members

Carry membership applications for Legion family

Department Commanders theme “Legion Pride”

PATRIOTIC MUSICYou’re a Grand Old

Flag George M. Cohan

America Samuel Francis Smith

America the Beautiful Katharine Lee Bates

God Bless America Irving Berlin

This Land is Your LandWoody Guthrie

Star Spangled BannerFrancis Scott Key

DEPARTMENT AWARDS

DORIS E. HAHN TROPHYBest All Around Award for

Americanism Activities

DEPARTMENT CHAIRMAN AWARD

Honoring the Red-White & Blue

NATIONAL AWARDSDorothy Pearl Most Outstanding Americanism

ProgramMost outstanding program targeted to

children & youth

Most Outstanding Junior Americanism Program

Million Member AwardDemonstrating how working the mission of

Americanism engaged, retained and attracted members to grow membership in the Unit

REPORTSMID-YEAR

UNIT - November 1, 2015 to DistrictDISTRICT - November 15, 2015 to Department

YEAR ENDUNIT – April 15, 2016 to DistrictDISTRICT – May 1, 2016 to Department

Please note in the Plan of Action the “Reporting Focus Items” listed to assist you in reporting

THANK YOU