Introducing The Laswell Award
Past State President Ed Boyle and State Americanism Chairman Lance Gustin are pleased to announce the formation of a new State Americanism Award that will be presented each year at the spring convention. This award is inspired from the Red Skelton Hour, January 14, 1969. He tells the story of a teacher he had who was also the principal of Harrison school, in Vincennes, Indiana, Mr. Laswell.
Mr. Laswell spoke about how Monotonous the kids had become in reciting the Pledge of
Allegiance all semester. He then recited it and explained the meaning of each word.
I– me, an individual, a committee of one. Pledge– dedicate all of my worldly goods to give without self-pity. Allegiance – my love and my devotion. To the Flag [of the] our standard, Old Glory, a symbol of freedom. Wherever she waves, there’s respect because your loyalty has given her a dignity that shouts freedom is everybody’s job. United – that means that we have all come together. States– [of America] individual communities that have united into 48 great states. 48 individual communities with pride and dignity and purpose, all divided with imaginary boundaries, yet united to a common purpose, and that’s love for country.
And to the Republic For Which It Stands. Republic– a state in which sovereign power is invested in representatives chosen by the people to govern. And government is the people and it’s from the people to the leaders, not from the leaders to the people. One Nation One Nation- meaning, so blessed by God. Indivisible– incapable of being divided.
With Liberty– which is freedom, the right of power to live ones own life, without threats, fear, or some sort of retaliation. And Justice-the principle or qualities of dealing fairly with others.
For All– For all … which means, boys and girls, it’s as much your country as it is mine.
And now boys and girls let me hear you recite, the Pledge of Allegiance?” “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
Since I was a small boy, two states have been added to our country, and two words have been added to the Pledge of Allegiance – “under God.” Wouldn’t it be a pity if someone said, “That is a prayer,” and that would be eliminated from schools, too?”
-Red Skelton
This award will be presented to an educator or school administrator who teaches their students love of country through the Pledge of Allegiance to our flag. Imparting the values that our Country holds dear to our hearts and those taught by Hoosier educators such as Red Skelton’s, Mr. Laswell.
The nominees should embody the spirit of Mr. Laswell’s love of Country, and what the pledge stands for. The winner will be selected by a panel of three (3) Indiana Elks who will review the nominations and select the appropriate winner.
The Educator will receive a plaque and check for $100.00. The winner will be announced at our Spring Convention following the Flag Day Ceremony.
Laswell Award Application
Download application for a nomination and consideration for the Indiana Elks Association State Americanism Laswell Award. Please include the application and a brief paragraph describing what the teacher or administrator does to embody the spirit of Mr. Laswell.
Flag Day is June 14th.
Americanism Essay Contest
“What Does Patriotism Mean To Me?”
The features introduced to the contest 2 years ago continue:
1) Four separate divisions for 5th, 6th, 7th & 8th grade students.
2) Awards for Each Grade Level — $1,000 for 1st; $500 for 2nd; $250 for 3rd.
I am pleased to announce that the Grand Lodge Fraternal Committee has selected the theme, “What Does Patriotism Mean To Me?” for the 2024-2025 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 Kansas City, Missouri in July 2025. This contest gives students in four separate grade levels, grades 5-8, the opportunity to thoughtfully, evaluate and express their views on the selected annual theme.
Nationally, first-place, second-place and third-place authors in each division will receive monetary awards of $1,000, $500, and $250 respectfully. Many Lodges, Districts and State Associations also provide various forms of recognition to their respective winners, and the Fraternal Committee appreciates and encourages their extraordinary efforts in support of the contest.
Contest materials including the “annual contest theme” are published online on May 1. Lodges are encouraged to communicate with school officials in a timely fashion to facilitate annual curriculum planning. Contest materials and a fillable Certificate of Participation for Lodge completion are located at: https://www.elks.org/grandlodge/fraternal/downloads.cfm.
This contest is vitally important to Elks as it promotes Americanism in our local communities. It encourages 10-13 year old students to thoughtfully consider American values and appreciate the blessings and responsibilities of citizenship.
The Grand Lodge Fraternal Committee is committed to assisting you in promoting Americanism. Please let us know what we can do to be more helpful!
Mark E. Eaton, Administrator
Americanism Essay Contest
Grand Lodge Fraternal Committee
How to fly the United States flag by Ronald A. Brooks
Our flag is the emblem of our identity as a sovereign nation, which the United States of America has been for nearly 250 years.
In 1942, Congress passed a joint resolution that encompassed what became the U.S. Flag Code, which involves how citizens should behave around the flag of the United States, and ways in which the flag should be shown proper respect.
The United States Flag Code—Chapter 5 of Title 4 of the United States Code (4 U.S.C. § 5 et seq)—states:
- No disrespect should be shown to the flag of the United States of America. The flag should not be dipped to any person or thing. Regimental colors, state flags, and organization or institutional flags are to be dipped as a mark of honor.
- The flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of distress or instances of extreme danger to life or property.
- The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, the floor, water, or merchandise.
- The flag should never be carried flat or horizontally, but always aloft and free.
- The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery. It should never be festooned, drawn back, nor up, in folds, but allowed to fall free. Bunting of blue, white, and red should always be arranged with the blue above, white in the middle, and the red below.
When to display the American Flag
The flag may be displayed on any day of the year, but there are guidelines to follow.
It is customary to display the flag only from sunrise to sunset on flagpoles in the open. It is also acceptable to display the flag at night if it is illuminated. The flag should not be displayed on days with inclement weather.
The flag should be flown on the major federal and cultural holidays, and days that honor our country, our military, and our veterans, such as Armed Forces Day (third Saturday in May), Constitution Day (September 17), and Navy Day (October 27).
The flag should be displayed at every public institution, near every polling place on election days, and at schools during school days.