AMERICANISM... Purpose: To inspire patriotism and good citizenship through patriotic observances; patriotic and civic instruction in schools; Americanization of aliens; information on anti-American propaganda; youth activities such as Boys State, Boy Scouts, Oratorical Contest, School Award Medals, baseball; flag etiquette; and other similar community services; as well as provide a listing of available scholarships through the "Need A Life?" booklet.

CHILDREN AND YOUTH... Purpose: To insure that any child of a veteran in need of care and protection will receive that service and aid; to organize the Legion's strength in each community in the interest of children in general; to assist the community to reduce juvenile delinquency.

VETERANS AFFAIRS AND REHABILITATION Purpose: To assist veterans in obtaining needed hospitalization, in the prosecution of claims, and in obtaining other veteran's rights and benefits; to visit comrades who are sick or disabled; to visit and comfort members or their families when sick or bereaved.

The head of the VA&R Committee may be the post service officer or the post VA&R Chairman. In addition, the post chaplain may serve as chairman of the Visiting Committee.

NATIONAL SECURITY... Purpose: To organize the post membership in support of national or vacillant defense projects in the community; to organize the post and to assist in organizing the community for readiness to meet any emergency.

MEMBERSHIP AND POST ACTIVITIES... Purpose: To obtain, retain and increase the membership of the post with specific responsibilities for renewals, enrollment of new members, transfers and reinstatements. (The first vice commander frequently serves as chairman of the Membership Committee)

PUBLIC RELATIONS... Purpose: To promote public support of the Legion's programs through publicity on post programs and activities in local newspapers or on radio, TV, etc,; by keeping the membership informed on American Legion programs.

LEGISLATIVE... Purpose: To promote public support of the Legion's programs through publicity objectives of The American Legion by a study of American Legion legislative proposals, information to the membership thereon, direct communication with members of the Congress or the state legislature as requested by the National Legislative Commission or proper department officials.   This committee will find the National Legislative News Bulletin and the Dispatch of great value.

FINANCE... Purpose: To supervise the receiving, disbursement and accounting of all post funds; to prepare annual budget recommendations for the post; to advise the post on all financial policies. (The post finance officer is normally the chairman of the Finance Committee.)

ECONOMIC... Purpose: To serve and assist veterans in meeting and overcoming economic problems such as employment, veterans' preference, housing, civil service appeals, employment of handicapped and older workers.

HOUSE... Purpose: To supervise the operation of physical facilities of a post such as a club room, American Legion center, meeting room, etc. Supervision includes administration, responsibility for equipment, hiring and direction of employees, as authorized by Post Executive Committee, and general rules applicable to the conduct of members while on the premises of the post.

SERVICE... The Service Committee is a key component of every successful post. Its duties and operations are especially important during the period immediately following the termination of hostilities. The Service Officer may be the chairman; however, the responsibilities of the committee go beyond the day-to-day functions of a good Service Officer in filing claims, securing hospitalization, etc. The Service Committee also is concerned with jobs, with veteran contact, with visits to ailing comrades, with on-the-job training, and with pensions. This committee should also be responsible for maintaining contact with any members of the armed forces from the community served by the post. With the nation's defenses depending upon all-volunteer armed services, it becomes absolutely essential that the man or woman in uniform be assured of the community's respect and support.

GRAVES REGISTRATION AND MEMORIAL COMMITTEE... Purpose: To record, mark and decorate graves of deceased veterans; to render service and comfort to bereaved families; to provide American Legion funeral services when requested.

SONS OF THE AMERICAN LEGION... Purpose: To act as a supervisory committee for the Sons of The American Legion Squadron in connection with its organization, activities, recreational and educational programs.

UNIFORMED GROUPS... Purpose: To organize, train, promote and supervise a uniform group, such as a drum and bugle corps, color guard, chorus, firing squad, etc.

VISITING OR VAVS... The purpose of the visiting committee is to give comfort and assistance to members and their families when sick or bereaved, and to visit hospitalized veterans. It is recommended that the Post Chaplain be chairman and that all post members share in this vital function by taking their turn as committee members.

THE AMERICAN LEGION CHILD WELFARE FOUNDATION... The Foundation was created to contribute to the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual welfare of children and youth through the dissemination of knowledge about new and innovative organizations or possessed by well-established organizations and/or their programs designed to benefit youth.

The primary source of revenue is individual members of the Legion, Auxiliary, Eight & Forty, and Sons of the American Legion. All contributions are tax deductible. All of every donation goes directly into the C.W.F. to help youngsters through grants. All overhead expenses are handled from separate funding.

TEMPORARY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE (TFA)... Temporary Financial Assistance is the landmark program of The American Legion's National Commission on Children & Youth.

Through TFA, a Post can call upon the National Organization to provide a grant of cash assistance to help meet the basic needs of veterans' children when no other resources are available. The veteran need not be a member of The American Legion to receive assistance.

Maintenance or Medical grants are available.

THE NATIONAL EMERGENCY FUND... The National Emergency Fund is available as a grant to be used to meet the needs of Posts or an individual member of the Legion family in areas stricken by National disasters.

The amount of the disbursement is decided on a case by case basis and monies available in the fund.

MEANING OF THE AMERICAN LEGION EMBLEM
          1. THE RAYS OF THE SUN form the background of our proud Emblem, and suggest that the Legion's principles will dispel the darkness of violence and evil.

          2. THE WREATH forms the center, in loving memory of those brave comrades who gave their lives in the service of the United States, that liberty might endure.

          3. THE STAR, victory symbol of WWI, signalizes as well honor, glory and constancy. The letters U.S. leave no doubt as to the brightest star in the Legion's star.

          4. TWO LARGE RINGS. The outer one stands for the rehabilitation of our sick and disabled buddies. The inner one denotes the welfare of America's children.

          5. TWO SMALL RINGS set upon the star. The outer pledges loyalty and Americanism. The inner is for service to our communities, our states and the Nation.

          6. The words AMERICAN LEGION tie the whole together for truth, remembrance, constancy, honor, service, veterans affiars and rehabilitation, children and youth, loyalty, and Americanism.

THE EMBLEM IS LAID UPON THE RAYS OF THE SUN, GIVER OF LIFE, WARMTH AND COURAGE; FOE OF THE COLD, OF THE DARKNESS, OF FEAR, OF APPREHENSION. EACH OF THE EMBLEM'S MANY PARTS SIGNIFIES A MEANING WHICH NO AMERICAN LEGIONNAIRE WHO WEARS THE EMBLEM SHOULD TAKE LIGHTLY, AND WHICH HE SHOULD KNOW FROM THE FIRST MOMENT THAT HE PUTS HIS EMBLEM ON. WHY DOES THE STAR SIGNIFY CONSTANCY OF PURPOSE? AS THE STARS IN THE SKY DO NOT WANDER, SO SHOULD THE AMERICAN LEGION NOT WANDER FROM ITS FIXED PURPOSES.


The Sutton Nebraska American Legion Post 61 and Auxiliary are non-profit organizations whose fund raising activities benefit:
Scholarship programs for both boys and girls from the Sutton Nebraska High School.
Boy's State.
Girl's State.
Junior Law Cadet Program.
American Legion Baseball program.
Donations to help support local 4th of July Fireworks.
Donations to help support many local and area civic fund raising activities.

Sutton Legion Post 61 also supplies Color Guard Detail for:
Sutton High School home football games
"Old Trusty Days" in Clay Center, NE
"Dug Out Days" parade in Sutton
Other parades and activites as requested

This site under construction and constant changes.
Stop back and visit often.

(Last update September 08, 2005)

For any questions, contact Jerold L. Wanek

A great big thank you to
Bev & Bobby Padgett
for help with this site!

Please Visit Our Sponsors

Please sign our Guestbook

Proud member of the American Legion Webring! Want to join the ring?   Get info  Visit other sites [ Next5 ][ Next ][List Sites][Club AL Yahoo]  [ChatRooms][[Vv ets at Yahoo]

We are honored to have received our first award on February 19, 2001, from the Wenatchee, WA Post 10. Please click on the award to visit their website.

And our second award on February 20, 2001, from Shadow's Place. Please click on the award to visit their website.

Thank You to Joan for this wonderful third award on September 22, 2005 in Tribute to our Armed Forces.
Please click on the award to visit Joan's
"THE MUSIC OF MY LIFE"

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