Americanism
The Auxiliary's Americanism program promotes patriotism and
responsible citizenship and strives to uphold and promote American ideals and
the principles of democracy.
The goal of the Auxiliary's Americanism program is to educate every citizen on
the fundamentals of American government, the Bill of Rights and the value of
active, informed involvement in the home, in the Auxiliary organization and in
the community. Most successful Americanism programs are cooperative efforts
between an Auxiliary Unit and its community. Contributions donated to the
Spirit of Youth Foundation by individuals, organizations and members' estates,
benefit young people through such programs as the Americanism Youth Conference
at Freedom's Foundation and the National President's Scholarship program.
The Citizens Flag Alliance is an apolitical, non-partisan confederation of
organizations and individuals who wish to protect the United States flag from
acts of physical desecration. The Citizens Flag Alliance's goal is to pass a
Constitutional amendment prohibiting flag desecration. The American Legion
Auxiliary joined this effort in 1994 due to its belief that the flag is unique,
deserving proper respect, care and protection.
Purpose
The Americanism work of the Auxiliary includes all activities
tending to perpetuate American ideals and to uphold the principles of American
democracy. The security of America lies in a citizenry in whose minds and
hearts is ingrained a true understanding of and love for those ideals and principles
upon which the nation was founded; a citizenry awake to the duties of
citizenship and willing to perform these duties even at the cost of great
personal sacrifice. Americanism work is largely educational in character and is
usually divided into three phases: work with youth, work with adults, and work
in the community. All matters pertaining to the flag or patriotic education are
rightly classified as Americanism activities.
Patriotic Education
Every citizen should have a thorough knowledge and understanding
of the Constitution of the United States. Therefore, the Auxiliary has a very
definite objective in emphasizing through its Americanism program the teachings
of good citizenship.
Auxiliary education programs focus on active Americanism in the home;
active Americanism in the Unit; active Americanism in youth groups; active
Americanism in adult groups; and active Americanism in our community.
At home, we strive to revitalize our personal patriotism because everyone
should be able to answer the question "What kind of an American am
I?" We also encourage everyone to take an interest in our country's
affairs; express our belief in our love for America in our words and deeds; inspire
children and young people in our homes and schools to develop fine characters,
high ideals and a sincere appreciation of our heritage; be tolerant in thought
and deeds towards others; and to vote intelligently after careful study of
candidates and issues.
Each Auxiliary Unit has an active Americanism chairman. Unit
members sponsor study classes for the Constitution, Declaration of
Independence, flag etiquette, and great American characters; plan periodic patriotic
conferences; observe patriotic holidays; display the flag, keep it clean, and
fold it properly; and distribute flag etiquette brochures.
Auxiliary Units present Americanism awards in schools; sponsor
debate and essay contests; present flags to schools; encourage the formation of
student councils in elementary schools; present records and/or tapes of the
Star-Spangled to Banner to schools and sponsor Boy and Girl Scout Units.
Auxiliary units sponsor adult citizenship classes and present flag
codes, American Creed, and small American flags to new citizens; hold
Americanism meetings and community forums; and place flag study courses in
night schools for the foreign-born.
In the community, Auxiliary units plan town meetings and other
study groups, presenting both sides of a question; help with community
observance of patriotic holidays; present fags where needed; use both printed
and electronic media when presenting Americanism programs; watch for subversive
group activities and report to proper authorities; visit local government
groups in action and show interest in school boards, City Councils, County
Boards, and Town Meetings; and plant trees as memorials and study conservation
programs.
Cooperative Effort
The Americanism program of The American Legion embraces a
multiplicity of activities. It necessitates real, honest, unselfish effort on
the part of all members of The American Legion family including Auxiliary Units.
The members of the Auxiliary can effectively make patriotism a personal matter
and they can select and successfully carry out projects adaptable to the needs
of their communities.
Spirit of Youth Fund
This fund was established
by the American Legion Auxiliary to support programs for young people. Tax
deductible contributions from individuals, organizations and estates are the
basis of this permanent endowment fund for youth. The funds are expended for programs
that benefit the youth of our nation and to enrich those programs which already
exist. Two such programs are the Americanism Youth Conference conducted each
spring for the Auxiliary by Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania
and the four year "Spirit of Youth Scholarship" for Junior Members.