general public information to further the streamlining of child care concepts. The Foundation is supported primarily through the generous contributions of individuals, posts, units, departments, and the national organization of the American Legion Auxiliary. Currently memorial contributions for departed comrades made by individuals, posts, and units provide a part of its income.

But even more important than its income are. the grants which the Foundation has made and the results which have been achieved. The Foundation is authorized to use such funds as are put at its disposal for the benefit of children and youth, with emphasis on research, special projects, and demonstrations. It has already made grants in the fields of juvenile delinquency, retarded children, mental health, institutional care, education, physical medicine, and specific areas of need, such as the study of alarmingly increased rates of venereal disease among teenagers, and increased emphasis on understanding and training children who are partially sighted.

The Foundation, though still small, has had tremendous national impact and the results of its work are already beginning to be felt. The Foundation is actually private enterprise in philanthropy, and just as our private enterprise system has proved so highly productive in the field of business and industry so also is private enterprise becoming equally fruitful in the broad field.

IV. Americanism

FROM

ROM ITS VERY beginning The American Legion was not content to confine its interest and support to easing the plight of the deceased and disabled veterans and their dependents. It also took as one of its major projects the preservation and furtherance of basic American concepts and principles. The St. Louis caucus in May 1919, considered as "its major concern-relief work, employment, and Americanism." At the charter convention that same year in Minneapolis, the National Americanism Commission was established. Its first assigned responsibilities included the combating of anti-Americanism tendencies, the education of citizens old and new in the ideals of true Americanism, the distribution of information about "the real nature and principles of American government," and the fostering of the teaching of Americanism in all schools.

It is the objective of the National Americanism Commission to translate Americanism precepts, principles, and ideals in an understandable manner to posts and to other groups and individuals.

This mission has led the National Americanism Commission over a sometimes difficult route. Early in the 1920's, unemployment and a period of general national unrest coincided with an upsurge of communism and other subversive theories. The Americanism Commission has met these challenges through the years with education and action.

24

HISTORY AND ORGANIZATION

Much of the Commission's work was concerned with the problems of unemployment until that particular phase was assigned as a responsibility of the National Economic Commission.

In order "to foster and perpetuate a 100 percent Americanism," a large segment of the Americanism Commission's total effort is channeled into education programs and citizenship activities for our youth-the leaders of tomorrow. Millions of America's youth have gained a better understanding of the Constitution of the United States through The American Legion's National High School Oratorical Contest, in which several thousand students participate annually.

The annual session of American Legion Boys Nation draws the two most outstanding young men from each of the department-sponsored Boys States to Washington, D.C., for a first-band look at the workings of the federal government.

For more than a quarter century, American Legion Boys States have given an inside look at the demands of good citizenship and civic responsibilities to about 30,000 of tomorrow's citizens attending these annual summer workshops in governmental operations. Boys Nation, which has functioned annually since 1946 in Washington, D. C., brings the most outstanding of these young American leaders to the nation's capital for even greater insight into the workings of the federal government.

Each year hundreds of thousands of American boys improve their physical fitness and develop a keener sense of good sportsmanship, good citizenship,

and fair play through American Legion Baseball, which has been in existence since 1926. This program, which enjoys financial support and valuable assistance from organized baseball, has also proved to be a fruitful proving ground for some of the finest talent in the history of this great American game.

As a part of its Americanism program, The American Legion encourages the recognition of students who display the highest qualities of citizenship. American Legion School Medal Awards are presented annually to about 27,000 boys and girls in elementary, junior, or senior high schools who are outstanding in honor, courage, scholarship, leadership, and service.

In support of the outstanding citizenship training, character building, and physical development programs set forth by the Boy Scouts of America, American Legion Posts throughout the Nation sponsor about 2,700 Scout units Cub Packs, Scout Troops, and Explorer Units.

American Education Week was founded in 1921 by The American Legion. From the beginning, the aim of this promotion has been the improvement of citizenship. The Legion has since been joined by the National Education Association, the United States Office of Education, and the National Congress of Parents and Teachers in sponsorship of this program.

By action of the National Executive Committee at its May 1961 meeting the education and scholarship program which had been under the supervision of the National Child Welfare Commission was transferred to the National Americanism Commission. In 1951 this program published a career and scholarship handbook, "Need A Lift?", which has been revised and expanded annually to become recognized today as one of the most complete sources of this information available in the United States. This handbook is distributed each year to American Legion posts and units that they may offer its information as assistance to the interested students and their parents in the community.

Our present Flag Code is the result of a cooperative effort in which The American Legion played a leading role in encouraging proper respect for an etiquette in display of the national colors. Great quantities of literature are mailed from the National Americanism and Children and Youth Division each year to stimulate patriotism and recognition of patriotic holidays. The sole purpose of this material is to assist Americans to be good citizens and to instill in their youngsters an enduring enthusiasm toward the American way of life.

In the field of anti-subversive activities The American Legion has gained nationwide recognition as the outstanding opponent of communism and other anti-American dogma. To combat the dangers presented to the perpetuation of the American way of life by these doctrines, the countersubversive section of the Americanism Commission has gathered data which has been filed and catalogued in order that any Legionnaire through his

Allied leaders of World War I, as guests of The American Legion, meet again on the platform of the Third National Convention October 31-November 2, 1921, in Kansas City, Missouri. Left to right: Lieutenant General Jacques of Belgium, General Diaz of Italy, Marshal Foch of France, General of the Armies John J. Pershing, and Lord Beatty of Great Britain.

post and department may have at his command one of the best library and information services on subversives and subversive activities available anywhere. The dedicated efforts of this program are also implemented through the publication of a monthly news letter, "FIRING LINE," a timely summary of information on domestic subversive activities.

V. National Security

THE

HE DEEP-ROCTED interest of The American Legion in the security of the nation was born in the hearts and minds of its founders and those who piloted it through the treacherous waters of its early years. The bitter experiences of seeing comrades wounded and killed through lack of proper training crystallized the determination of these veterans to fight for an adequate defense establishment capable of protecting the sovereignty of the United States.

The tragic events of World War I, largely precipitated by unpreparedness, were still vivid in the minds of all combat veterans when the committee on military policy met at the 1919 National Convention in Minneapolis. The charter convention approved ten committee resolutions which embodied these important principles: Universal Military Training, retention of a small Regular establishment and creation of a citizens' army composed of an Organized Reserve and National Guard units.

In the intervening years, this original committee has grown to become the National Security Commission and Committees, which focus Legion attention to all segments of the nation's defense. In years since the birth of The American Legion, the United States has engaged in another World War and fought in Korea and Vietnam to oppose further aggression by the Communists. Perhaps these wars would not have occurred had our nation followed the pattern of American Legion recommendations on National Security matters.

During the 22 years separating the birth of The American Legion and the attack on Pearl Harbor, which brought the United States into World War II, The American Legion had been a consistent, though too often unheeded, voice advocating adequate military strength.

National Defense Act of 1920

The efforts of The American Legion, acting through its National Security Commission and Committees, resulted in the enactment of the National Defense Act of 1920, which gave the nation its first workable plan for a small Regular Army, augmented by a large National Guard and Organized Reserve. However, because appropriations for carrying out the provision of this act were repeatedly denied, the military establishmentwhich at the end of World War I had been as well prepared as that of any country in the world-was steadily reduced.

In the face of discouraging setbacks, The American Legion continued to propose recommendations which have had a profound effect on our nation's history. Twenty years prior to Pearl Harbor, The American Legion was calling for the equivalent of a two-ocean navy and firmly supported the development and utilization of a new weapon system, the airplane.

Throughout those 20 years prior to our entry in World War II, The American Legion remained unrelenting in its struggle for a strengthened national defense. In 1938 The American Legion demanded an air force of 8,000 planes and a production of 1,500 planes annually; a strengthening of our Pacific defenses, and the discontinuance of shipment of war supplies to Japan. Had it not been for The American Legion's efforts to alert America to the need for continuing preparedness, our nation at the time of Pearl Harbor would have been notably weaker than it was.

After the surrender of Germany and Japan in 1945, The American Legion again faced the unpleasant task of calling for a retention of adequate military strength in the face of an overwhelmingly popular demand for demobilization. Despite American Legion opposition, the American people permitted the greatest defense machinery in history to disintegrate and in so doing, encouraged communist aggression throughout the world.

Just as it had after World War I, The American Legion after World War II urged the Congress to enact Universal Military Training legislation,