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 2020-2021 is "How Can Patriotism Be Demonstrated?" 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 2020-2021 is "How Can Patriotism Be Demonstrated?" 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.
2019-2020 Winning Essays - What Does Freedom Of Speech Mean To Me?
This year's winning essay from Division I (5th/6th graders) is from Reeanna D from Alexandria Lodge #1685.
Freedom of speech is a very important right we have. Freedom of speech gives us the right to voice our opinions without being punished. Freedom of speech supports our freedom and community opinion. The first reason why freedom of speech is important because it allows us to express our opinions good and bad. I support freedom of speech because my right to say something is protected within limits. You can suggest problems that need to be fixed. If you don't agree with the law you can voice your opinion without being punished. I can make changes with things I don't agree on. Freedom of speech enforces human rights. Expressing our opinion is the key to bring change in society. We are not forced to think the same as others. In conclusion, I support freedom of speech because I can voice my opinion without punishment. Without freedom of speech many laws we have would not be here, we could not better our society.
This year's winning essay from Division II (7th/8th graders) is from Brenna P from Brainerd Lodge #615.
Freedom of speech, every single person in the U.S.A. has the right to freedom of speech. "The right to express any opinions without censorship or restraint." is the definition of freedom of speech. We can have our own opinion and talk about whatever we please, while being wherever we please, and with whomever we please.
What freedom of speech means to me is being able to express yourself with your words, whether it's talking, writing, acting, being able to say your opinion on things you want to, or to give someone a few ideas to help them think of their own. I think freedom of speech is something that everyone should be grateful for because it gives us all an opportunity to express how we feel about our or someone else's ideas, certain topics and sometimes even a book or movie.
The freedom of speech is important in many ways, like it helps people to defend themselves or others, it can help people think of ideas that can help the world, and it could help with constructive criticism to make something better than it was before. The freedom of speech can also help us by having witnesses in court cases to help catch a criminal. It can be used to peacefully protest and it can be used to stand up for what we believe.
Freedom of speech means being able to express your opinion however you want, whether it's with a co-worker, a friend, or even a family member. Freedom of speech is such an amazing right to have in my opinion. We all get to express ourselves however we want, wherever we want and with whomever we want.
This year's winning essay from Division I (5th/6th graders) is from Reeanna D from Alexandria Lodge #1685.
Freedom of speech is a very important right we have. Freedom of speech gives us the right to voice our opinions without being punished. Freedom of speech supports our freedom and community opinion. The first reason why freedom of speech is important because it allows us to express our opinions good and bad. I support freedom of speech because my right to say something is protected within limits. You can suggest problems that need to be fixed. If you don't agree with the law you can voice your opinion without being punished. I can make changes with things I don't agree on. Freedom of speech enforces human rights. Expressing our opinion is the key to bring change in society. We are not forced to think the same as others. In conclusion, I support freedom of speech because I can voice my opinion without punishment. Without freedom of speech many laws we have would not be here, we could not better our society.
This year's winning essay from Division II (7th/8th graders) is from Brenna P from Brainerd Lodge #615.
Freedom of speech, every single person in the U.S.A. has the right to freedom of speech. "The right to express any opinions without censorship or restraint." is the definition of freedom of speech. We can have our own opinion and talk about whatever we please, while being wherever we please, and with whomever we please.
What freedom of speech means to me is being able to express yourself with your words, whether it's talking, writing, acting, being able to say your opinion on things you want to, or to give someone a few ideas to help them think of their own. I think freedom of speech is something that everyone should be grateful for because it gives us all an opportunity to express how we feel about our or someone else's ideas, certain topics and sometimes even a book or movie.
The freedom of speech is important in many ways, like it helps people to defend themselves or others, it can help people think of ideas that can help the world, and it could help with constructive criticism to make something better than it was before. The freedom of speech can also help us by having witnesses in court cases to help catch a criminal. It can be used to peacefully protest and it can be used to stand up for what we believe.
Freedom of speech means being able to express your opinion however you want, whether it's with a co-worker, a friend, or even a family member. Freedom of speech is such an amazing right to have in my opinion. We all get to express ourselves however we want, wherever we want and with whomever we want.