2. OUR PURPOSE Inspire Patriotism Responsible Citizenship Pride and Respect for our country American values

3. 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.

4. FLAG HISTORY June 14, 1777 – FLAG DAY August 3, 1777 13 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

5. 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

6. Flag Education Tools Let’s Be Right on Flag Etiquette DVD Flag Code History of the Flag Yourself Flag Disposal Ceremonies Pocket Flags

7. 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?”

8. GET OUT TO VOTE Civic duty Support the Flag Amendment Contact State and Federal Representatives Encourage others to do this Participate in: Get out the Vote www.legion.org/vote Kids Voting USA campaign www.kidsvotingusa.org

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

10. American Legion Americanism Programs Support – Volunteer - Sponsor Legion Baseball Junior Shooting Sports Oratorical Contest

11. Promote PRIDE in our Organization Wear name badge - Name, Unit #, Department Wear your Auxiliary jewelry to functions Prepare a short speech to explain the Auxiliary and its programs to potential members Carry membership applications for Legion family Department Commanders theme “Legion Pride”

12. PATRIOTIC MUSIC You’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 Land Woody Guthrie Star Spangled Banner Francis Scott Key

13. DEPARTMENT AWARDS DORIS E. HAHN TROPHY Best All Around Award for Americanism Activities DEPARTMENT CHAIRMAN AWARD Honoring the Red-White & Blue

14. NATIONAL AWARDS Dorothy Pearl Most Outstanding Americanism Program Most outstanding program targeted to children & youth Most Outstanding Junior Americanism Program Million Member Award Demonstrating how working the mission of Americanism engaged, retained and attracted members to grow membership in the Unit

15. REPORTS MID-YEAR UNIT - November 1, 2015 to District DISTRICT - November 15, 2015 to Department YEAR END UNIT – April 15, 2016 to District DISTRICT – May 1, 2016 to Department Please note in the Plan of Action the “Reporting Focus Items” listed to assist you in reporting

16. THANK YOU