Americanism
Americanism: What it means to us
The ambition and goal of Americanism is to quicken the spirit of American patriotism and to stimulate an awareness - a genuine feeling of pride and respect toward patriotism - so that we as Members of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks will become constant reminders to the people of our Nation that America truly means freedom and that Elks Care Elks Share.
Flag Day Ceremonies
Each year on Flag Day (June), officers and members from the local lodges celebrate the freedom our flag represents. Often, there are local Flag Day ceremonies held in the community in which Elks members sponsor and/or participate. Contact your local lodge for dates, times and events.
Pledge of Allegiance
The Elks hold sacred the Pledge of Allegiance and conduct it at the beginning of each and every meeting. We have developed a cartoon video to help educate kids on the Pledge of Allegiance. You can either link to a copy of it on You Tube or download a copy that you can then burn to a CD. Below are links to both options.
Click here to view it on You Tube. Note: The video is not searchable from within You Tube. You must know/have the link to access it. Right Click and Save As...here to download a copy.
The late comedian Red Skelton shares his views of the American pledge of allegiance to the flag, recorded back in 1969, on his CBS television series "The Red Skelton Show". Here's a link to the video on YouTube.
Americanism Essay Contest
Each year the Elks sponsor an essay contest on topics relating to Americanism. The topic for 2018-2019 is "What Makes You Proud of America?" We've included the winning essays from last year's contest below. If you and/or your school wish to get more information on our contest please contact your local lodge and they can assist you. For local lodges looking for contest information please visit our State Committees section under Member Resources from the top navigation.
The ambition and goal of Americanism is to quicken the spirit of American patriotism and to stimulate an awareness - a genuine feeling of pride and respect toward patriotism - so that we as Members of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks will become constant reminders to the people of our Nation that America truly means freedom and that Elks Care Elks Share.
Flag Day Ceremonies
Each year on Flag Day (June), officers and members from the local lodges celebrate the freedom our flag represents. Often, there are local Flag Day ceremonies held in the community in which Elks members sponsor and/or participate. Contact your local lodge for dates, times and events.
Pledge of Allegiance
The Elks hold sacred the Pledge of Allegiance and conduct it at the beginning of each and every meeting. We have developed a cartoon video to help educate kids on the Pledge of Allegiance. You can either link to a copy of it on You Tube or download a copy that you can then burn to a CD. Below are links to both options.
Click here to view it on You Tube. Note: The video is not searchable from within You Tube. You must know/have the link to access it. Right Click and Save As...here to download a copy.
The late comedian Red Skelton shares his views of the American pledge of allegiance to the flag, recorded back in 1969, on his CBS television series "The Red Skelton Show". Here's a link to the video on YouTube.
Americanism Essay Contest
Each year the Elks sponsor an essay contest on topics relating to Americanism. The topic for 2018-2019 is "What Makes You Proud of America?" We've included the winning essays from last year's contest below. If you and/or your school wish to get more information on our contest please contact your local lodge and they can assist you. For local lodges looking for contest information please visit our State Committees section under Member Resources from the top navigation.
2018-2019 Winning Essays - What Makes You Proud of America?
This year's winning essay from Division I (5th/6th graders) is from Lauren N. Owatonna Lodge #1395.
What makes me proud of America? The list is endless. We could go and on about all of our freedoms and rights and decisions, but the thing that I am most proud of is that from the day you are born, you have the power to be anything in the world.
The first thing that comes to mind is that I am so grateful for all the people who have sacrificed so much to serve the U.S.A. and fight for all the rights that our citizens have today. They have knowingly sacrificed their lives, their families and their safety just for us, even me, so we can make decisions for ourselves and live in a safe country.
It is so cool how anyone born here can be President of the United States of America. It doesn't matter if you're rich or poor, male or female, or what your race is. Anybody can be anything! It doesn't matter where you are from, what your family is, or where you live. There is absolutely no one who can tell you what you have to do, or what you have to be. That fact is amazing.
To be anything, it starts with education. The United States of America has also given us the right for every child to have an education. My school has great educators and challenges us beyond the abilities we didn't think we had. They teach us life skills to be the best person we can be and so much more. America gives us opportunities that support our future.
I am proud of the United States of America because of opportunities, education and decisions. Great things happen in our country every date because of our veterans, our military services and citizens who walk upon our land.
This year's winning essay from Division II (7th/8th graders) is from Hannah M. Brainerd Lodge #615.
America is a country of progress. We have overcome prejudice, surpassed standards in battle, and even put a man on the moon. I am proud to live in America because of the determination it took to build this country and the bravery it takes today to maintain it. Citizens are strong, hardworking and sophisticated people. Mostly, though, I am proud to be an American because we are not afraid of change. We embrace difference with open arms and welcome diversity everywhere.
I am proud to be an American because everyone has freedom. If someone has a different gender identity, race, or religion than another, it isn't held against them. Another reason is that everybody who resides in American, regardless of citizenship is part of America. Soldiers, industrial workers, and pilots are a few examples of people doing their part to help the nation.
All in all, I am proud to live in America because of the true determination and grip Americans have shown in the almost two hundred and fifty years since we broke free of England's iron fist of tyranny. Soldiers looked death in the face and still found the courage to overcome it I honor the principles of America that everybody holds the day they pledge their allegiance to the flag. I love the fact that everybody can express an opinion on a matter. I am most proud of the fact that we are a country that believes in changes for the better and it is for that reason that I delight in calling myself an American citizen.
This year's winning essay from Division I (5th/6th graders) is from Lauren N. Owatonna Lodge #1395.
What makes me proud of America? The list is endless. We could go and on about all of our freedoms and rights and decisions, but the thing that I am most proud of is that from the day you are born, you have the power to be anything in the world.
The first thing that comes to mind is that I am so grateful for all the people who have sacrificed so much to serve the U.S.A. and fight for all the rights that our citizens have today. They have knowingly sacrificed their lives, their families and their safety just for us, even me, so we can make decisions for ourselves and live in a safe country.
It is so cool how anyone born here can be President of the United States of America. It doesn't matter if you're rich or poor, male or female, or what your race is. Anybody can be anything! It doesn't matter where you are from, what your family is, or where you live. There is absolutely no one who can tell you what you have to do, or what you have to be. That fact is amazing.
To be anything, it starts with education. The United States of America has also given us the right for every child to have an education. My school has great educators and challenges us beyond the abilities we didn't think we had. They teach us life skills to be the best person we can be and so much more. America gives us opportunities that support our future.
I am proud of the United States of America because of opportunities, education and decisions. Great things happen in our country every date because of our veterans, our military services and citizens who walk upon our land.
This year's winning essay from Division II (7th/8th graders) is from Hannah M. Brainerd Lodge #615.
America is a country of progress. We have overcome prejudice, surpassed standards in battle, and even put a man on the moon. I am proud to live in America because of the determination it took to build this country and the bravery it takes today to maintain it. Citizens are strong, hardworking and sophisticated people. Mostly, though, I am proud to be an American because we are not afraid of change. We embrace difference with open arms and welcome diversity everywhere.
I am proud to be an American because everyone has freedom. If someone has a different gender identity, race, or religion than another, it isn't held against them. Another reason is that everybody who resides in American, regardless of citizenship is part of America. Soldiers, industrial workers, and pilots are a few examples of people doing their part to help the nation.
All in all, I am proud to live in America because of the true determination and grip Americans have shown in the almost two hundred and fifty years since we broke free of England's iron fist of tyranny. Soldiers looked death in the face and still found the courage to overcome it I honor the principles of America that everybody holds the day they pledge their allegiance to the flag. I love the fact that everybody can express an opinion on a matter. I am most proud of the fact that we are a country that believes in changes for the better and it is for that reason that I delight in calling myself an American citizen.