Veterans of Foriegn Wars
Martin D. Denison Post 6873
Ladies Auxiliary
Americanism Program
The goals of the Americanism program are to promote patriotism, teach students about our American heritage, demonstrate the proper care of the U.S. Flag, and ensure that the public will never forget the sacrifices made by America’s soldiers. Members are also passionate about helping bring attention to Prisoners of War and those Missing in Action by holding ceremonies to both educate their communities and honor these special veterans. The full accounting of those missing in action is a high priority of the VFW and Ladies Auxiliary VFW.
History
1931--The “Star Spangled Banner Bill” made it to the floor of Congress. Americanism became the third National continuing service program adopted by the Ladies Auxiliary VFW. Seventy-four years later the program continues stronger than ever.
The Ladies Auxiliary's Americanism program, like the VFW program of the same name, strives to foster love for the United States and loyalty to its institutions and ideals. In the program's infancy, it was closely associated with the VFW's Americanism program. Back then, Auxiliary members and VFW members often worked side by side toward common Americanism goals - for example, the adoption of the "Star-Spangled Banner" as America's official national anthem, and the passage of the "Cash Bonus" for World War I veterans.
As the Auxiliary's Americanism program matured, it began to take on patriotic projects of its own. Among its first was the sponsorship of a nationwide essay contest on the subject of "What the Statue of Liberty Means to Me." This contest, held at the request of the National Park Service, was part of the golden anniversary celebrations for the statue in 1936. The winner of the contest, Edna Falk of Pueblo, Colorado, was awarded the Auxiliary's gold medal and a trip to Paris provided by the Auxiliary, the Federation of French Veterans of the Great War, and a Paris newspaper. This essay contest was held yearly until 1964.
Through its Americanism program, the Ladies Auxiliary has also supported other patriotic organizations.
Of course, not all the Auxiliary's Americanism activities are on such a grand scale. Many programs are also carried out at the local level. Each year, for example, local units present thousands of American flags to government units, youth groups, schools, and churches. Units also teach proper care of the flag, distribute Americanism literature, sponsor citizenship classes, and otherwise help keep the flame of patriotism burning brightly.
