Sheila Spaulding
2021-2022 Youth Activities Ambassador
Youth Activities Wrap Up
As we move into May, June and July, we have great opportunities to continue working with our young people. It seems that in each blog I am reminding you of the upcoming important observances and this blog is no different. Below is a short list of those dates:
- May 1 – Loyalty Day – Affirmation of loyalty to the United States
- May 8 – Mother’s Day
- May 30 – Memorial Day – Remembering U.S. military personnel who have died while serving in the U.S. armed forces
- June 14 – Flag Day – Commemorating the adoption of the Flag of the United States
- June 19 – Father’s Day
- June 20 – American Eagle Day – Honoring our National Symbol
- July 4 – Independence Day – The day in 1776 when the Declaration of Independence was adopted
There is so much history in these coming months and I can see how some of our other Programs such as Americanism and Buddy Poppy & VFW National Home can combine with Youth Activities.
- Veterans to honor
- Parades to march in
- Flags to distribute
- Birdwatching
- Fireworks to watch
- Mothers and fathers to celebrate
Our young people can be included and involved in all these activities while always remembering our veterans, active-duty service members and their families.
Don’t forget to recognize these young people with a Patriotic Youth Award or groups with the Youth Groups Supporting Our Veterans Citation. Both are fillable and can be downloaded from the Youth Activities Resource page. Here’s a tip: attach “Buddy”® Poppies to the awards that you pass out.
Illustrating America art contest and Get Excited for the Red, White and Blue! national anthem singing contest are wrapping up. I can’t wait to see and hear the winners at our National Convention in Kansas City in July.
The Youth Activities Program has certainly achieved its goal of Soaring Above and Beyond this year. Thank you to all members that made this possible. Your ideas, activities, photos and reporting were great.