Americanism: Spreading Patriotism this Spring and Summer

There are many ways to get our communities involved with spreading patriotism throughout our great nation this spring and summer. Ideas include marching in parades and getting involved in special ceremonies for our patriotic holidays. Youth can pass out small Flags and “Flag Education for Kids” to fellow youth. Adult attendees can receive and “Flag Etiquette at Parades.”  Both informational sheets can be downloaded and printed from the Program & Publicity Resources page of the website under “Americanism.”

Your Auxiliary is encouraged to participate in, or host a special event for the following patriotic holidays:

• Armed Forces Day – Third Saturday in May (falls on May 19, 2018)
  Armed Forces Day is a day to pay tribute to those who defend America’s freedoms every day. Led by the effort of President Harry S. Truman to establish a single day for Americans to thank the nation’s military members for their service to our country, Armed Forces Day was created on August 31, 1949, following the unification of the armed forces under the U.S. Department of Defense. First observed on May 20, 1950, the day was designed to replace separate Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard Days, but the separate days are still observed, particularly within their respective services.
• Memorial Day – May 30 (Traditional) Observed Last Monday in May
  Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States for remembering the people who died while serving in the country’s armed forces. The holiday, which is observed every year on the last Monday of May, originated as Decoration Day after the Civil War. While this holiday commonly marks the unofficial beginning of summer, it is also a time for a more serious and respectful occasion. Many people visit cemeteries and memorials, particularly to honor those who have died in military service. Many volunteers place an American flag on each grave in national cemeteries.
• Flag Day – June 14
  Flag Day celebrates the adoption of the flag the official symbol for the United States: our Stars and Stripes. This day was first recognized by Congress on June 14, 1777, which became known as Flag Day. Congress first stated that there should be a star and stripe for every state. Our first flag had 13 stars, and 7 red and 6 white stripes. In 1794, two new states were added and we had a flag with 15 stars and 15 stripes. By 1818 there were 20 states, but our county was still using the flag with 15 stars and 15 stripes. Congress thought about having 20 stripes and agreed that it might become a problem because of its size so they passed a law that said there would be 13 stripes for the original 13 states, and they would add a star for each new state that joined the union. The U.S. flag has 13 stripes: seven red and six white. A blue field with 50 stars is located next to the staff in the upper left corner of the flag. The stars do not represent any given state. The colors used in the flag give special meaning to the flag: Red for valor and zeal; white for hope and cleanliness of life; and blue — the color of heaven — for reverence and loyalty.
• Independence Day – July 4
  American Independence Day is celebrated on the Fourth of July every year. It is commonly known as the Fourth of July or July Fourth, commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence from Great Britain. On July 4, 1776, the signers of the Declaration of Independence asserted that all are “created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” With these words, our forefathers formed a new nation and put forth a vision of liberty and democracy that would forever alter history. Every Fourth of July, Americans celebrate this pivotal moment in our history, which set into motion the development of a land of freedom and opportunity unequalled in the world.

I want to say thank you for spreading patriotism throughout this great nation all year long. Thank you for allowing me to assist you as you brought Americanism to the forefront of this great nation. I hope all of you enjoy the upcoming spring and summer months and remember to keep Patriotism alive in the hearts of the American people.

Thank you for all you do for our veterans!