(E) Committees & Programs
Americanism Committee
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, Scouts, Oratorical Contest, School Award Medals, baseball, flag etiquette, and other similar community services, as well as provide a listing of available scholarships.
Programs & Activities
1. High Oratorical Scholarship Contest
· Conducted the 3rd Saturday of January, the post competition has competitors from the 3 High Schools in Belgium & Holland and the 3 international schools in Belgium. The winner advances to the Department of France`s contest in February.
2. Boys State / Girls State
· Application Deadline is 31 March. The committee members will select 1 young man and 1 young lady to participate in the program in Maryland during the 3rd week in June.
3. AFJROTC Junior Shooting Program
· The American Legion Shooting Sports Program is a gun safety education and marksmanship program that encompasses the basic elements of safety, education, enjoyment and competition.
4. Venture Crew 511
· Venturing is a youth development program of the Boy Scouts of America for young men and women who are 13 and have completed the eighth grade, or age 14 through 20 years of age.
· Venturing's purpose is to provide positive experiences to help young people mature and to prepare them to become responsible and caring adults.
· Venturing is based on a unique and dynamic relationship between youth, adult leaders, and organizations in their communities. Local community organizations establish a Venturing crew by matching their people and program resources to the interests of young people in the community. The result is a program of exciting and meaningful activities that helps youth pursue their special interests, grow, develop leadership skills, and become good citizens
5. JROTC recognition awards: SHAPE HS and AFNORTH HS
· The American Legion is a strong supporter of Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) and Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) programs across the country. Legion posts are urged to present medals available through American Legion Emblem Sales to the top JROTC and ROTC students in their area
6. Get Out The Vote
· The Legion's "Get Out the Vote" program encourages all Americans to register and vote in all elections. In addition, Legionnaires, posts, districts and departments are encouraged to fully involve themselves in the electoral process by serving as poll volunteers, poll workers and by encouraging and assisting others to register and vote
Children and Youth Committee
Purpose: To insure that any child of a veteran in need of care and protection shall receive proper and timely service and aid; to strengthen the family unit; extend support to sound organizations and facilities that provide services for children and youth; and to maintain a well-rounded program that meets the needs of the young people in their respective community.
Programs & Activities
1. Trunk or Treat: 31 October
2. Eggtravagance - Chiévres Airbase: 04 April
3. Belgian Orphanage Christmas Event – Chiévres Airbase: December
Membership and Post Activities Committee
Purpose: To obtain, retain and increase the membership of the post with specific responsibilities for renewals, enrollment of new members, transfers and reinstatements.
Programs & Activities
1. Membership Drives
2. American Legion Night - USAG Brussels
3. American Legion Night - SHAPE
4. Information Fair – USAG Brussels: September
5. Retirement Appreciation Day - SHAPE & USAG Schinnen: October
6. Christmas Party
Veterans Affairs, Rehabilitation and Service Committee
Purpose: To assist veterans in obtaining needed hospitalization, in the pursuit of claims and in obtaining other veteran’s rights and benefits; to visit comrades who are sick or disabled; to visit and comfort members of their families when sick or bereaved. To give comfort and assistance to members and their families when sick or bereaved, and to visit hospitalized veterans. To assist active duty military in transition to civilian life and National Guard and Reservists in the community in similar ways. 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 chair; 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.
Programs & Activities
1. VA disability claims
2. DTAP Briefings: Monthly
3. Hospital Visitation
Ways and Means Committee
The purpose of the Ways and Means Committee is to oversee the Post fund-raising activities and National Emblem Sales.
Programs & Activities
1. 4th of July Celebration: SHAPE / USAG Brussels / USAG Schinnen
2. SHAPE Fest: September
3. Turkey Shoot: 01 November
Graves Registration, Memorials and Ceremonies Committee
The purpose of the Graves Registration, Memorial and Ceremonies Committee is to record, mark, and decorate graves of deceased veterans; to render service and comfort to bereaved families: to provide American Legion funeral services when requeste; to coordinate for cemomonies. to organize, train, promote and supervise a uniformed group, such as a burial detail, color guard, chorus, firing squad, etc.
Programs & Activities
1. Adopt-a-Grave Program
· Adopter Appreciation Day: 22 August
2. Parades and Ceremonies
3. Funeral Detail
4. 4-Chaplian Remembrance Day – February
5. Flag Day – 14 June
6. 9/11 Remembrance Day – September
7. POW Remembrance Day – September
8. December 7 Remembrance Day – December