american legion flag essay contest

Children and Youth

Children and Youth is one of the Four Pillars the American Legion was founded upon.  It is more observable than the others, and Marion is Proud of what we do.

More about the National goals can be found here

https://www.legion.org/pillars/211657/pillar-4-children-and-youth

Scholarships     

Scholarship/Merit Award applications are here - more will be added as they become available

ALL of the scholarship application deadlines have passed.

5th Grade Flag Essay Contest

General Information

The purpose of The American Legion of Iowa Essay contest is to develop deeper knowledge and appreciation for the United States Flag on the part of elementary level students. Other objectives of the contest include the ability to gain knowledge of flag etiquette and respect for the flag.

Eligibility

Participants shall be citizens of or lawful permanent residents of the United States. All contestants must be students enrolled in the fifth grade in a public, parochial, military, private or state accredited home-school.

The format for the essay is limited to the following:

A one (1) page document

Contains 300 words or less

Double-spaced

12-point font

The student’s own words and effort

The essay is to reflect the student’s perspective of what the United States Flag represents to them using facts from the United States Flag Code.

Department Guidelines are here. https://www.ialegion.org/flag-essay/  

High School Constitutional Speech Contest

The purpose of The American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship Program is to develop a deeper knowledge and appreciation of the Constitution of the United States among high school students. Other objectives of the contest include the development of leadership qualities, the ability to think and speak clearly and intelligently, and the preparation for acceptance of the duties and responsibilities, rights, and privileges of American citizenship. 

The contests are held at Post, County, District, Area, Department and National level.

The Post level contest is normally in November.  First place at Nationals is an $18,000 scholarship.

Detailed information can be found here.  https://www.ialegion.org/oratorical/

American Legion Boys State

The American Legion of Iowa Boys State is a week-long, hands-on experience in the operation of the democratic form of government, the organization of political parties, and the relationship of one to the other in shaping Iowa government. Through the Boys State objective of learning by doing, young men will learn about city, county and state government more in one week than they would in an entire semester of high school.

Boys State is an exercise in leading as well as following others. Elections are an opportunity to show the ability to perform under pressure and to show character in the face of victories and/or defeats. Boys State will test skill in solving problems and working effectively within a team.

Boys State is an opportunity to gain pride and respect for our form of government and the price paid by people to preserve democracy. The week contains ceremonies and assemblies as well as marching and pageantry. Guest speakers, such as Past National Commander of The American Legion David Rehbein, and former Director of the Iowa High School Athletic Association Bernie Saggau, along with Iowa Government Leaders attend each year to offer their vision and advice.

Boys State is a chance to meet new people. Boys State offers an opportunity to meet people who represent Iowa’s diversity in heritage and culture. One of the finest objectives afforded to young men by Boys State is the friendships they will form with other Boys State citizens, many of whom will become lifelong friends.

Detailed guidance along with some informative slide shows and movies can be found here.  https://www.ialegion.org/boysstate/

Look under Resources on that page to find these tools.  

Legion baseball

Since 1925, American Legion Baseball has contributed to the development of good sportsmanship and good citizenship while providing wholesome recreation for the nation’s youth.

The history of American Legion Baseball has proved that American youths receive on the baseball diamond a thorough understanding of sportsmanship, teamwork, and good citizenship – valued traits for America’s future leaders.

Department of Iowa

American Legion Baseball in the Department of Iowa is divided into two categories, Senior and Junior.

Post 298 has supported Legion Baseball most recent years and supported multiple teams some years.  

Results of the American Legion Baseball teams for 2022 and 2023

Legion Baseball  2023

The 27 Mar game was played 29th - L 10-2 30 Mar Game L 6-3 1 Apr game Canceled 2 Apr game L 8-5 7 Apr game Won 6-4 8 Apr game L 10-3 Had a previously unscheduled game on 10 Apr against Linn Mar 10th grade team, Won 16-14 14 Apr game L 13-7 16 April game was cancelled 20 April game was cancelled 22 April game was cancelled 23 April game was cancelled 24 April game was played on 27 Apr  W 3-0

Two games were played in the tournament

Loss to Dubuque County 11-0 Loss to Moville 11-2

Season is over.

 Another cold and wet season of Spring Baseball in Iowa

Department guidance can be found here.  https://www.ialegion.org/baseball/    

Look under Resources and Forms to find these tools.

Junior Shooting Sports

Post 298 does not have a junior shooting sports program currently active.  There are other posts in the area that do have programs and welcome our youth to participate.  For more information email the post at [email protected] and we will get contact information for you.

Based on the principle of duty to God and country, the Scouting program is for all youth, ages 6 through 21, regardless of ethnic background, creed, or physical or mental ability. In cooperation with organizations like The American Legion, Scouting offers a way for dedicated volunteers of the community to bring fun, adventure, and leadership skills to young people. Scouting provides effective character building, citizenship training, and personal fitness opportunities for youth.

Working together, the Boy Scouts of America and The American Legion have created a strong foundation of leadership, service, and community for America’s youth.

Post 298 has always been a strong supporter of Scouting, and that support continues today.  Marion Post 298 has been the sponsor of Cub Scout Pack 58 for over 70 years.

5th Grade Flag Essay

Mary Clapp with several 5th Grade Flag Essay winners

A Cub Scout at a Legion meeting

Oratorical Contest

Post 298 held it’s Constitutional Oratorical Contest on 19 November, 2022.    Kellie Jorgenson was our Chairperson, and had 3 contestants lined up.   All 3 were from Washington High School.   1st place was Andrea Farnum with her topic concerning the Second Amendment.  Second place was Izabella MacCormick  who spoke about the First Amendment.  Third place was Leslie Strottman who gave a quite original presentation on Jury Duty.  

Thanks to Kellie for a great job and congratulations to all three young ladies for the quality of their presentations.

Pack 58 in Oak Shade Cemetery, helping put flags on veterans graves for Memorial Day

American Legion Baseball

Scholarship winners Memorial Day 6/27/18

left to right -  Emily Cunningham, Xavier High School

Luke Golla, Marion High School

Kolton Keller, Center Point Urbana High School

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Americanism

This year our motto will be “Let Teaching Patriotism be Our Superpower.” In order to be an effective teacher, you must first know and un understand the material. Immerse yourself in every facet of the Americanism program. You can start with your junior members whether they are organized or just a member’s daughter or granddaughter and have them lead the Pledge during a meeting, advance the flag and Auxiliary banner, or help in a flag disposal ceremony. All these activities will help them receive their Junior Americanism Patches.

Let’s teach patriotism to the children in our communities by distributing the Americanism essay contest rules when they are available in the fall. The essay title is, “Why am I proud to be an American?” Teachers have told me that they are more likely to assign the essay if it fits into their teaching plan so I always try to get them before veterans day. Please be sure to follow the rules carefully so no essay must be disqualified. Contact other youth groups in your community like Scouts 4H FFA and hand out the essay contest rules to their leaders or directly to the students. Encourage students to participate in the oratorical contest. The subject matter is always about the constitution and the finals are held the first weekend in March. Work with schools and members to use wreaths across America patriotic curriculum. Go to www.WreathsAcrossAmerica.org and scroll down to educate and click on curriculum and lesson plans for kindergarten through 12th grade are available, all with lesson plans and some power points.

For example, first grade:

• Flag Day Lesson plan
• Memorial Day lesson plan
• What is Memorial Day power point (grades K-3)
• The Missing Man Table (Grades K-3)
• Women’s History Month Lesson Plan
• Black History Month Lesson Plan
• Buffalo Soldiers PowerPoint (Grades K-3)
• Four Chaplains Lesson Plan
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Lesson Plan
• Remember – Honor – Teach Lesson Plan
• Informative Writing and “Finding a way to Serve”
• Veterans Day PowerPoint (K-3)
• Veterans Day Lesson Plan
• American Indian Heritage Month
• April, Month of the Military Child (Grades 1-3)
• Independence Day (Grades K-8)
• Back To School
• Patriot Day Lesson Plan
• Voting in Elections (Grades K-3)

I have with me the complete curriculum for anyone interested in seeing it but again you can download it. This would be something great to share with our junior members and interesting to share with our senior members.

Promote Star Spangled Kids.

The Sergeant-at-arms and assistants are passing out a simple “How to sheet”. Star Spangled Kids teaches about patriotism, Americanism and the U.S. Constitution. Do you know that September 17th is set aside each year to commemorate the signing of the Constitution?

Let us educate our members and communities about flag etiquette including the proper way it should be flown. Consider giving citations and recognition to citizens and businesses in your community if they are properly displaying a flag. Offer to replace torn or worn flags when possible. Off of the National website you can get “Let ‘s be Right Flag Etiquette “and make them available in your Post home. Put something in your newsletters or on your Facebook page about display of the flag or little-known facts about the flag, Constitution and Bill of Rights. Join the National Facebook group at American Legion Auxiliary Americanism Program. This is a place to get ideas and share ideas. On the National Webpage thereis also a link to Action Programs of Americanism Brochure on the American Legion website that can be downloaded or printed for free but is 16 pages long. This brochure is a comprehensive look at The American Legion Americanism Programs. They include Legion Baseball, shooting sports, scouting and many more. Look through the brochure and find ways to help with these programs in your area. Work concession stands, be a timekeeper, keep statistics, offer transportation, you get the idea and have many of your own, I’m sure.

Let us educate our political leaders on the importance of respecting our flag. On the National Website in the Americanism committee page, you can find information on the Citizens Flag Alliance and The Flag Advocacy. Email your congressmen and senators about not being able to desecrate the flag, explain the blood shed for them to keep all the freedoms they enjoy and the importance of the flag to our men and women defending those rights. Sign up for the action alerts so you can be informed of any bills involving the flag that need action.

Let teaching patriotism be our superpower!

Patti Williamson  |  [email protected]   | 217-377-370

Department Award: to the Best Department Americanism Program in the Central Division.

Unit Award: Most outstanding Unit Americanism Program in the Central Division.

Department:

• RICKY’S COUNTRY GIRLS PLAQUE: to the Unit submitting the most outstanding participation on promoting the Americanism Program to the schools.
• THE DORIS SCHULTZ “GOD BLESS AMERICA” PLAQUE: TOoThe Unit for the best overall participation in the Americanism program.
• SERVE AND PROTECT CADET OF THE YEAR PLAQUE: to the outstanding cadet at American Legion Police School/ The plaque and a picture of the cadet will be presented at the Youth Police School and reported during the Americanism report at Department Convention.

Personal Awards:

• $10.00 to Runner up to the Ricky’s Country Girls Plaque.
• $10.00 to Runner up to the Doris Schultz “God Bless America” Plaque
• $10.00 to Most Americanism essays turned into a unit as reported to me.
• $10.00 to the Best Star Spangled Kids promotion.

Certificates to any Unit promoting the Star Spangled Kids.

All of the Department and personal awards must be on an awards sheet or have an awards sheet accompany a narrative and received by the deadline.

Resources from National

• Log into the National Website to Access these Items: Click Here

Helpful Weblinks

• Flag Education DVD
• Let’s Be Right on Flag Etiquette
• Pocket Flag Project
• The American Legion Flag Advocacy
• The Citizen’s Flag Alliance
• American Legion Auxiliary Americanism Program Facebook Group

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The American Legion Department of Virginia

2023-2024 middle school essay contest information, share this:.

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• ← 2023 SAL Detachment Membership Report – August 31, 2023
• 2024 Department Membership Report – September 1, 2023 →

Americanism Essay Winners

2021-2022 Winners

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Stream KCHI Live 24/7!

2024 american legion auxiliary essay contest.

• By Tom Tingerthal
• May 15, 2024

Local winners of the 2024 American Legion Auxiliary Americanism Essay Contest attended an awards night dinner at the Livingston County Veteran’s Building.  This year’s essay theme was “What Does Freedom Mean to Me?”

Winners include:

Class I – Nella Beetsma First Place, Harlow Rardon Second Place, and Hadley Rardon Third Place.

Class II – Decker Rardon First Place, Carder Kreatz Second Place, and Paisley Gilliland Third Place.

Class III – Katelyn Warren First Place.

Class IV – Ellie Acree First Place.

Copyright © 2024 KCHI. All rights reserved.

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Rochester eighth grader wins local, district and state VFW Patriot's Pen essay contest

May 17—Each year, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) holds essay contests for middle and high school students. The contests offer cash prizes and scholarship opportunities, with different essay themes each year.

Rochester Middle School eighth grader Emily Hammack entered the 2023-2024 Patriot's Pen essay competitions for middle schoolers and won the local Centralia VFW Post 2200's contest, which qualified her for the district level.

Hammack won that, too, and then took first place in the Washington state VFW's contest. As the state level winner, she went on to compete nationally representing Washington, where she wound up placing sixth overall.

Her essay was one of more than 73,000 essays submitted nationally for the 2023-2024 Patriot's Pen contest, according to the VFW's website.

On Tuesday, May 14, Hammack and her family were in downtown Centralia's American Legion Grant Hodge Post 17, where she was honored and congratulated by local and state-level VFW members.

She was also given her final prize check from Washington state VFW Commander Craig Dougherty, state VFW Vice Commander Perry Taylor, state VFW Judge Advocate Frank Persa and VFW Post 2200 Commander Roger Towers.

"Sixth place winner Emily Hammack of Rochester represented the VFW Department of Washington, and was awarded the $2,000 Clyde A. Lewis Department of New York and Auxiliary Award," Dougherty said.

Along with the check, Hammack received an award certificate paired with a portrait of the National VFW Commander-in-Chief Duane Sarmiento and VFW Auxiliary National President Carla Martinez.

"I am here on their behalf to congratulate you and thank you very much for entering," Dougherty said.

The theme for the 2023-2024 Patriot's Pen essay contest asked students "how are you inspired by America?"

"Democracy and the different features are what inspired me, like its rich history," Hammack told The Chronicle. "History is definitely one of the things that inspired me about it."

The essay Hammack wrote and submitted for the Patriot's Pen contest is as follows:

"America inspires me in countless ways. Its rich history, diverse culture, and the values it upholds ignite a fire within me to pursue my dreams and make a difference in the world. The American dream, the belief that anyone can achieve success through hard work, resonates deeply with me. It serves as a constant reminder that no matter where we come from or what our circumstances may be, we have the power to shape our own destinies.

"One of the aspects of American democracy that inspires me the most is the freedom of speech. This fundamental right allows individuals to express their thoughts, opinions, and ideas without fear of persecution. It is through the freedom of speech that progress is made, as it encourages open dialog, the exchange of diverse perspectives, and the challenges of established norms. "This freedom empowers individuals to stand up for what they believe, to advocate for change, and contribute to the betterment of society.

"Another attribute of American democracy that inspires me is the pursuit of equal justice. The United States has a history of fighting for civil rights and striving towards equality for citizens. The principles of fairness, equality, and justice are deeply ingrained in the American ethos. This commitment to equal justice inspires me to be an advocate for those who are marginalized or oppressed, fight against discrimination, and work towards creating a more equal and inclusive society.

"Freedom of speech and individual rights are closely intertwined but not the same. While freedom of speech is one aspect of individual rights, it encompasses much more. Individual rights include a range of freedoms and protections, such as the right to privacy, the right to due process, and the right to equal treatment under law. These rights are essential in upholding the principles of democracy and ensuring that every individual is treated with dignity and respect.

"In conclusion, America's history, culture, and commitment to freedom and justice inspires me to be a better person, and to strive for a better world. The American dream reminds me that anything is possible with hard work. The freedom of speech empowers me to express my thoughts and make my voice heard. The pursuit of equal justice motivates me to fight for equality and stand up against injustice. America's inspiration fuels my passion to make a positive impact and contribute to a society that upholds the values of freedom, equality, and justice for all."

On top of the $2,000 check she received Tuesday, Hammack had already won an additional $750 in cash prizes for winning the local, district and state level VFW Patriot's Pen essay contests leading up to her competing nationally.

While getting ready to start high school after this summer, Hammack is planning on saving the prize money for college.

Though Hammack is no longer eligible to compete in the Patriot's Pen contest, she will be able to compete in the VFW's Voice of Democracy audio essay contest for high school students.

There, she can compete for a share of more than $1 million in scholarship opportunities, including a $35,000 scholarship for the contest winner.

To learn more about both the VFW's Patriot's Pen and Voice of Democracy contests, including how to enter and submission deadlines, visit https://www.vfw.org/community/youth-and-education/youth-scholarships .

The VFW is a national nonprofit organization that aims to foster fellowship among U.S. veterans of overseas conflicts along with advocating for veterans resources and programs at the federal level. For more information, visit https://www.vfw.org/ .

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