GRAND LODGE 2322 Quail Hollow Lane FRATERNAL COMMITTEE SANDUSKY, OH 44870-7023 (419) 569-5866 Cell douglasschiefer@gmail.com Chairman DOUGLAS A. SCHIEFER July 2017 2017-2018 GRAND LODGE AMERICANISM ESSAY CONTEST Why Our Veterans Are America s Heroes I am pleased to announce that Members of the Grand Lodge Fraternal Committee have selected the theme, Why Our Veterans Are America s Heroes for the 2017-2018 Grand Lodge Americanism Essay Contest. The contest starts with the Local Lodges, progresses through District and State levels, and ends with the naming of our National Winners at the Grand Lodge Session in San Antonio, Texas in July 2018. This very important Patriotic Contest gives school children in grades 5-8 the opportunity to express views on their pride in America. Nationally, first-place winners in each division will receive a bronze plaque. Many Lodges, Districts and State Associations also may offer different types of awards to their winners. Now is the time for all Lodges to contact their local school districts and provide them with the new topic. Ask them to add the essay contest to their fall curriculum. The same material accompanying this letter may also be found by clicking on Downloads at http://www.elks.org/grandlodge/fraternal/. This contest is most important because it involves school children in your area, showing them Americanism at its best. The contest also demonstrates that Members of your Lodge are proud to be Americans, proud to be Elks and proud to participate in the Americanism programs of Grand Lodge. Your Grand Lodge Fraternal Committee is committed to serving and assisting you as we all show pride in America. May God continue to bless America. God bless the Elks and may God bless each of you. Douglas A. Schiefer, Chairman Grand Lodge Fraternal Committee Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Grand Lodge Care Share
2017-2018 Americanism Essay Contest Cover Sheet Section 1 to be filled out by student Division I: 5th or 6th Grade (Circle One) Division II: 7th or 8th Grade School Teacher s Name School Address City State Student s Name Male c Female c Age Grade Parent s Name Address City State ZIP Home Phone ( ) E-mail (used only to contact the winners) Send to Local Lodge no later than December 15, 2017. (MUST be attached to each Essay) Why Our Veterans Are America s Heroes Section 2 to be filled out by Lodge Chairman Chairman s Name Chairman s Home Phone Number ( ) Sponsoring Lodge Name & Number Address City State ZIP Select the top three essays from each division and send them to the District Americanism Chairman by January 31, 2018 or the date established by the State Chairman. (Top three only, do not separate as 1st, 2nd, or 3rd.) Section 3 to be filled out by District Chairman Chairman s Name District Address City State ZIP Chairman s Home Phone Number ( ) Select the top three essays from each division and send them to the State Americanism Chairman by February 28, 2018 or the date established by the State Chairman. (Top three only, do not separate as 1st, 2nd, or 3rd.) Section 4 to be filled out by State Chairman Chairman s Name State Address City State ZIP Chairman s Home Phone Number ( ) Select the 1st, 2nd & 3rd place winners for your State and send the 1st place winner from each division to the Contest Administrator, Dennis A. Ramsey, by March 31, 2018.
Why Our Veterans Are America s Heroes Essay Contest Sponsored by Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of The United States of America RULES: 1. Eligible participants must be Students enrolled in the 5th, 6th, 7th or 8th grade at the time of the contest. 2. Essay length is not to exceed 300 words. 3. Essay must be typed or legibly printed in ink. Also, Essay must be submitted as written (or typed) by the entrant. 4. Essay must be submitted for judging to the Elks Lodge nearest to the address of the entrant. 5. Participant must be identified by name, grade, school attending and sponsoring Elks Lodge on the Essay. AWARDS: Plaques will be awarded by the Grand Lodge for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place for national winning essays in Division I and Division II. Winners will be announced at the Grand Lodge Session in San Antonio, Texas, July 1-4, 2018. ENTRY DATE: Essay should be submitted to local Elks Lodge on/before December 15, 2017. The Essay Contest Cover Sheet must be completed for each level of competition and remain attached to the Essay. Sponsoring Elks Lodge: No. Address: Contact Person: Phone No.
2017-2018 Americanism Essay Contest Essay Theme: Why Our Veterans Are America s Heroes 1. Eligible participants must be a student enrolled in the fifth, sixth, seventh or eighth grade during the normal 2017-18 school year, preceding June 30, 2018. Deadline: Must be submitted to Local Lodge by December 15, 2017. 2. Essay length is not to exceed 300 words. 3. Essay must be typed or legibly printed in ink. Also, Essay must be submitted as written (or typed) by the entrant. 4. Essay must be submitted for judging to the Elks Lodge administering the contest at his or her school or, if unknown, to Lodge nearest to home address of entrant. 5. Entrant must be identified on essay by name, home address, grade, school attended and sponsoring Lodge. (Lodge may enter Lodge information on essay.) 6. Judging criteria: Originality: Avoid the use of trite or worn out words and phrases 30 points Development of theme: Stay focused on ideas and thoughts. Don t ramble 40 points Mechanics and neatness: Use proper spelling, grammar and punctuation 30 points There are two divisions for judging essays: Division 1 (combined fifth and sixth grades) Division 2 (combined seventh and eighth grades) PROCEDURES FOR LODGE AMERICANISM CHAIRMAN Select from submitted entries the top three essays from each division and send the six essays to the District Americanism Chairman by Jan. 31, 2018, or the date established by the State Association. PROCEDURES FOR DISTRICT AMERICANISM CHAIRMAN Select the top three essays in each division from entries submitted by Local Lodges and send the six essays to the State Americanism Chairman by Feb. 28, 2018, or the date established by the State Association. PROCEDURES FOR STATE AMERICANISM CHAIRMAN Select the first-, second- and third-place winners for the state from entries submitted by the District Chairman. In addition, State Chairman forwards the first-place winners from each division to the Grand Lodge Essay Contest Administrator. (Must be postmarked by March 31, 2018.) SEND TO: Essay Contest Administrator Dennis A. Ramsey, Grand Lodge Fraternal Committee, 12220 Ridgepoint Circle NW, Silverdale, WA 98383-9492. Plaques for first-, second-, and third-place winning essays in Divisions I and II will be presented to the home Lodge of the winners at the Grand Lodge Session in San Antonio, TX, July 1-4, 2018. Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Grand Lodge Care Share
Certificate of Participation GRAND LODGE FRATERNAL COMMITTEE In recognition of your continued support of the Grand Lodge Americanism Program 2017-2018 Essay Contest Why Our Veterans Are America s Heroes Presented to: Malcolm J. McPherson, Jr., Grand Exalted Ruler Date Douglas A. Schiefer, Grand Lodge Fraternal Committee
About Our Flag... Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, USA Grand Lodge Headquarters 2750 N. Lakeview Avenue, Chicago, IL 60614-1889 571200 Revision 2/03
Page 2 About Our Flag... A comprehensive guide of history and facts about our United States flag... Americanism Committee Grand Lodge Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks United States of America
Page 3 Table of Contents: 1 Introduction 2 About Our Flag 4 When To Display 6 How To Display 8 How To Pledge Allegiance 9 Flag Facts 10 History Of Our Flag 12-13 Flag Specifications Did You Know? Grand Exalted Ruler Henry A. Melvin, in his report to the Grand Lodge in 1907, recommended the observance of Flag Day by the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks was the first fraternal organization to observe Flag Day. The President of the United States is authorized and requested to issue annually a proclamation calling upon officials of the Government to display the flag of the United States on all Government buildings on such day, and urging the people to observe the day as the anniversary of the adoption on June 14, 1777, by the Continental Congress of the Stars and Stripes as the official flag of the United States of America. The importance of every single U.S. flag, and how it is displayed is keenly observed by the Elks. We celebrate over 94 years of the Grand Lodge s 1907 designation of June 14 as Flag Day, which was followed in 1911 with the Order s approval for mandatory observance by all Lodges. We hope that as you acknowledge the great love for your country by displaying our flag, you may reference the information in this guide, and maybe learn more about its history. red, white and blue... The Grand Lodge adopted his suggestion at this meeting and urged all local Lodges to take part in ceremonies honoring our flag and its history. 1
Page 5 About Our Flag: OUR FLAG... is a piece of cloth flown from a staff or halyard. OUR FLAG... represents the union of 50 states and millions of people joined into one great country. OUR FLAG... stands for our people...millions of Americans who have worked and fought to preserve our freedom and way of life. THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA OUR FLAG... is the symbol that stands for a nation s basic ideas and purposes. OUR FLAG... is our national emblem. Every country in the world has a flag. stars and stripes forever... 2 3
Page 7 When To Display Our Flag: HOLIDAYS... AND OTHER SPECIAL DAYS TO DISPLAY OUR FLAG: New Year s Day - January 1 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 3rd Monday in January Inauguration Day - January 20 President s Day - 3rd Monday in February Easter Sunday Mother s Day DURING THE DAY... From sunrise to sunset on buildings and stationary poles outside. Any day when the weather is good, unless an all-weather flag is used. Armed Forces Day Memorial Day (half staff until noon) Flag Day June 14 Independence Day - July 4 Labor Day AT NIGHT... The flag is usually lowered at night. If a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed 24 hours a day, only if properly illuminated during darkness. 4 Patriot Day - September 11 Constitution Day - September 17 Columbus Day Veterans Day Thanksgiving Day Christmas Day - December 25 State Holidays Admission Day of State Did You Know? What do the colors in the flag stand for? White: signifies purity and innocence. Red: signifies hardiness and valor. Blue: vigilance, perseverance and justice. 5
Page 9 CARE OF OUR FLAG... -- -- --- ---------- - --- -------- --- ---------- --- HowTo Display Our Flag: ------------ -- -- FOLDING Did You Know? Always RAISE the flag on staff briskly. Always LOWER the flag slowly and respectfully. RAISING OUR FLAG... MEMORIAL DAY: Fly flag at half-staff until noon; then raise to full-staff until sunset. AS A SIGN OF MOURNING:First raise flag to full-staff, then lower to half-staff. DISPOSAL To destroy an old flag the approved way, by burning the flag. This is the most dignified and preferred way. WEATHER Unless using an all weather flag, do not expose our flag to bad weather. LOWERING OUR FLAG... IN PROCESSION WITH OTHER FLAGS IN PROCESSION WITH OTHER FLAGS U.S. flag to marchers right (observer s left). Don t let the flag touch the ground. Fold as it comes down and before completely detaching it from halyard. U.S. flag at front and center of line. From half-staff, flag should be raised to the peak before lowering. CROSSED ON WALL U.S. flag outside, on observer s left. ON SPEAKERS PLATFORM Flag above and behind speaker or on STAFF to his right. 6 Fold flag in fourths lengthwise. Then make successive diagonal folds, ending with union outside. FLAT ON WALL Union always on top, to observer s left. ON SAME STAFF AS OTHER FLAGS U.S. flag at peak, above any other flags. IN CHURCH IN AUDIENCE When displayed from a staff in a church or auditorium, should be placed to right of clergyman or speaker as he faces the congregation. In front of audience and to speaker s right when facing audience. GROUPED GROUPED OVER A STREET U.S. flag goes to its own right, is hoisted first. Flags of different nations flown at same height. Flag vertical; union faces north on east-west streets, or east on north-south streets. MILITARY FUNERAL AS DECORATION For member of Armed Forces or of recognized military organizations. Flag draped lengthwise, union over deceased s left shoulder. Casket carried foot first. Don t lower flag into grave or let it touch ground. Use bunting, never the flag. (Blue on top, then white, then red.) U.S. flag in center, or at highest point. FUNERAL DISPLAY May cover a casket but not a statue. Bunting may be used for decoration. Flag must be removed before placing into grave. 7
Page 11 HowTo Pledge Allegiance To Our Flag: Did You Know? The pledge was first published in 1892. It was reworded in 1923, and 1954. We use the 1954 version today. PREPARATION......conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. Head Bare Women leave hats on. People in uniform leave hats on, give hand salute. Right Hand Over Heart Standing At Attention Flag Facts: 1905 Forbids the use of the flag in any registered trademark. 1942 1949 one Nation under God, indivisible, 8 NATIONAL FLAG DAY BILL Officially designated June 14th as Flag Day. This bill was signed by President Harry S. Truman, who was an Elk. to the Republic for which it stands, with liberty and justice for all. CODE OF FLAG DISPLAY AND USE Brought together existing rules and customs for flag use and display (amended in 1976) I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and TRADEMARK ACT 1953 UNTIED NATIONS ACT Permits the U.N. flag to be displayed above the U.S. and other national flags at U.N. headquarters. 9
Page 13 How Our Flag Was Born: PRE-REVOLUTION The colonies had many local flags, one of the most famous was the RATTLESNAKE FLAG, with the slogan Don t tread on me, as a warning to the British. 1775 The PINE TREE BANNER FLAG was used on America s first fleet of warships which engaged the British in battle Nov. - Dec. 1775. 1775-1776 The CONGRESS COLOR, or GRAND UNION FLAG, had 13 alternating red and white stripes which represented the 13 original colonies. The flag was used in early battles with the British. 1777 1777: 13 Stars Delaware Pennsylvania New Jersey Georgia Connecticut Massachusetts Maryland South Carolina New Hampshire Virginia New York North Carolina Rhode Island 1795: 15 Stars Vermont Kentucky 1818: 20 Stars Tennessee Ohio Louisiana Indiana Mississippi 1819: 21 Stars FIRST AUTHORIZED AMERICAN FLAG, established by Congressional Resolution on June 14; we celebrate FLAG DAY on that date. 1794 The SECOND CONGRESSIONAL FLAG Act added 2 stars and stripes to represent admission of Vermont and Kentucky to the Union. 1818 PRESENT FLAG established by Congress, from then on, stripes would stay at original 13, but a new star would be added for each state that joined the Union added on July 4 following admission. Note: only 20 stars in 1818. 10 STATE BY STATE... Illinois 1820: 23 Stars Alabama Maine 1848: 30 Stars Wisconsin 1851: 31 Stars California 1858: 32 Stars Minnesota 1859: 33 Stars Oregon 1861: 34 Stars Kansas 1863: 35 Stars West Virginia 1865: 36 Stars Nevada 1867: 37 Stars Nebraska 1877: 38 Stars Colorado 1890: 43 Stars North Dakota South Dakota Montana Washington Idaho 1822: 24 Stars 1891: 44 Stars 1836: 25 Stars 1896: 45 Stars 1837: 26 Stars 1908: 46 Stars 1845: 27 Stars 1912: 48 Stars Missouri Arkansas Michigan Florida 1846: 28 Stars Texas 1847: 29 Stars Iowa Wyoming Utah Oklahoma New Mexico Arizona 1959: 49 Stars Alaska 1960: 50 Stars Hawaii 11
Page 15 Official Specifications Of Our Flag: PER EXECUTIVE ORDER AUGUST 21, 1959 FLAG TERMS... PEAK STAFF UNION or CANTON HOIST = VERTICAL DIMENSION HEADING = EDGE OF FLAG NEAREST STAFF FLY = HORIZONTAL DIMENSION FLY OF UNION = 0.76 HALYARD HOIST OF UNION = 0.5385 HOIST OF FLAG = 1.0 DIAMETER OF EACH STAR =.0616 WIDTH OF EACH STRIPE =.0796 FLY OF FLAG = 1.9 12 13