Linda Roloff 2023-2024 National Americanism Ambassador

Headshot of Linda Roloff

Shoutout to ALL of the Americanism Chairpersons across this great land! It has been an honor and such a great surprise to see how all of you are embracing the Patriotic/Americanism initiatives for this year! There are sooo many magnificent Prisoner of War and Missing in Action observances that are happening around the country because y’all just “get it.”

November (in addition to containing Veterans Day and Thanksgiving) is National Veteran and Military Families Month. The sentiment communicated by Sierra Elkins, Americanism Chairperson from the beautiful state of Arkansas, sums up this month and what it should mean, perfectly:

This month, our nation honors the strength and sacrifices of the families, caregivers and survivors of our veterans and our current service members. They may not wear uniforms, but their service is essential to our national security and the character of our nation. We owe them a debt of gratitude that we can never fully repay.” – President Joe Biden. This month, and throughout the year, families are going through the struggles of deployment through everyday life, holidays, family celebrations and everything in between. They also struggle with the transitions that come with moving from active duty to retired and all it entails to become reacclimated to civilian life. During this month like any other, we recognize those families, like ourselves as members, for the courage and strength to endure and push forward. Reach out to the families that you know who have someone deployed or are reacclimating and offer support in any way you know how. ~Sierra Elkins, AR. (From her November 2023 Communication)

 

Patriotic Instructor(s):
You have been asked to “up your game” this year…how’s that coming along? Have you been:

  • Noticing when your members use #MoreThanLetters to describe our Prisoners of War and Missing in Action?
  • Teaching and practicing our VFW Auxiliary rituals and traditions?
  • Displaying brother/sisterhood in all interactions with other members?
  • Introducing your Auxiliary to local/regional former Prisoners of War?
  • Reminding them (using some specifics) of those STILL Missing in Action from your area?
  • Fostering the growth of our #AuxTRIBE not only in spirit, but in numbers?


Veterans Day (is every day…but November is the BIG ONE)

On the 11th day of the 11th month at 11 minutes past the 11th hour, World War I the great “War to end all wars” ended.  The following are 11 fantastic ways to observe Veterans Day:

 

  1. Ring Bells 11 times at 11:11am on November 11.
  2. Visit a veterans hospital
  3. Teach children about Veterans Day (what it means and how it started)
  4. Encourage a teacher to create a lesson plan for and have a ceremony centered around Veterans Day
  5. Invite a veteran to speak at your Post or a local convalescent home
  6. Wear a “Buddy”® Poppy (When wearing a “Buddy”® Poppy on Veterans Day, it should be placed at 11 o’clock. Meaning, if someone is facing you and your face is noon and your bellybutton is 6 o’clock, the poppy should be on your lapel on YOUR right-hand side approximately over the collarbone) 11 o’clock symbolizing the end of the war.
  7. Take time out of the day to recognize veterans in your place of employment
  8. Observe the day with an act of/whole day of service in your community
  9. Support a veteran-owned business
  10. Express THANKS to service personnel wearing our nation’s uniform, and veterans wearing military identifying clothing/hats
  11. Attend a Veterans Day parade or civic event

 

Important days ‘til the end of the year:

 

  • November 2 – All Souls Day
  • November 7 – Election Day
  • November 10 – United States Marine Corps Birthday
  • November 11 – Veterans Day
  • November 13 – World Kindness Day
  • November 23 – Thanksgiving
  • November 25 – Small Business Day
  • December 3 – Advent begins
  • December 7 – Pearl Harbor Day
  • December 7 – Hanukkah begins
  • December 15 – Bill of Rights Day
  • December 21 – Winter Solstice ( First day of Winter)
  • December 22 – Forefathers Day
  • December 24 – Christmas Eve (Also Chocolate Day and Eggnog Day)
  • December 25 – Christmas
  • December 26 – Kwanza begins
  • December 31 – New Year’s Eve
  • January 1, 2024 – New Year’s Day

 

*Note: This Blog has been updated to show correct information.