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In recent years, many teachers have contacted Vfw Post 101 seeking veterans to come into the classroom and share their military experiences. VFW members may also choose to contact local youth groups and schools and express their willingness to share their experiences. VFW National Headquarters has materials available to support this activity. Many veterans have found this to be enjoyable and therapeutic.  These programs annually produce individuals with an appreciation of patriotism, civic responsibility and the likelihood of future military service.

Arrangement

The initial contact you make with your local school(s) is very important. Explain that you are interested in assisting the teacher by providing a “living history” presentation about your military service during World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Persian Gulf, Somalia, Afghanistan, Iraq or any other campaign period. Select a date and time for your presentation. The teacher may wish to audiotape or videotape your presentation. Decide on which format makes you feel most comfortable.

Here are some suggested school activities to help you get started.

Grades K-2: Young American Award (Supply item #4389). Teach the students the Pledge of Allegiance and present them an “I Learned the Pledge of Allegiance” certificate.

Grades 3-5: Reading of Ten Short Flag Stories and Flag Education Program. The “Fun Flag Facts” can be copied and distributed to students.

Grades 6 and higher: Living History Presentation. A presentation about your military service and your experiences in war. Also consider flag education programs for these age groups. Remember, the week of Veterans Day is “National Veterans Awareness” week in the schools.

If your classroom/school is interested in the Veterans in the Classroom Program, please contact the VFW Post 101 Commander by email marionlwillis101@gmail.com

Public Law 106-380, enacted Oct. 27, 2000, calls upon the American Folk life Center at the Library of Congress to develop a program that collects and preserves audio and videotaped oral histories of war vets. Veteran’s organizations such as the VFW

are among those invited to participate. Coordinators would like to see Posts select veterans from all eras to participate. The emphasis is quality, not quantity.

Once they have decided to get involved, Post members can participate in a variety of ways:

A field kit can be obtained at loc.gov/vets/kit.html to assist anyone interested in participating, which includes the guidelines, a checklist, an audio and video recording log, a photograph log and several forms for the interviewer and

veteran to complete. All of these materials must be completed and sent to the Library of Congress for an entry to be included. Contributors may also send in memorabilia related to the veteran’s experiences, such as photographs or maps.

Our partners, Veteran Sheepdogs of America (veteransheepdogsofamerica.org) has all the required paperwork, a studio and interviewers to assist in capturing your story.

The American flag has a long history, and the members of our organization have spent nearly as long defending and honoring our nation's most iconic symbol of freedom. 

The U.S. Flag Code says, “The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.” When an American flag is worn beyond repair, it should be retired in a respectful manner.

A second way to dispose of an American flag is to drop it off at Post 101 or in our Flag Retirement Box outside the Post.  We will collect and properly retire the flags in an appropriate ceremony. Flag Day (June 14) is one of the most common days to hold flag disposal ceremonies.

The Stars for our Troops program also accepts worn-out American flags. A volunteer for the program will cut out and send the flag’s embroidered stars to an American soldier.

A final option for disposing of a flag is to recycle it. Some flag companies will accept old flags and use the material to make new ones.