CONTACT: wrchristy@me.com Cell: 863-398-6767
THE HAYESVILLE YELLOW JACKETS AIR RIFLE TEAM IS HARD AT WORK THIS YEAR. THEY PRACTICE EVERY TUESDAY AND THURSDAY FROM 3:15 pm UNTIL 5:15 pm AT THE RANGE. LOCATED AT THE COMMUNITY SERVICES BUILDING, 25 RIVERSIDE DRIVE, HAYESVILLE, NC
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About the Oratorical Contest
“A constitutional speech contest”
The American Legion Oratorical Contest exists to develop deeper knowledge and appreciation for the U.S. Constitution among high school students. Since 1938, the program has presented participants with an academic speaking challenge that teaches important leadership qualities, the history of our nation’s laws, the ability to think and speak clearly, and an understanding of the duties, responsibilities, rights and privileges of American citizenship. The program has featured numerous politicians and prominent contestants over the years, including former presidential candidate Alan Keyes, national television commentator and talk radio host Lou Dobbs, and former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence.
Young orators earn some of the most generous college scholarships available to high school students. Over $203,500 in scholarships can be awarded each year. The overall national contest winner gets a $25,000 scholarship. Second place takes home $22,500, and third gets $20,000. Each department (state) winner who is certified into and participates in the national contest’s first round receives a $2,000 scholarship. Those who advance past the first round receive an additional $2,000 scholarship. The American Legion’s National Organization awards the scholarships, which can be used at any college or university in the United States.
High school students under age 20 are eligible. Competition begins at the post level and advances to a state competition. Legion department representatives certify one winner per state to the national contest, where department winners compete against each other in two speaking rounds. The contest caps off with a final round that decides the three top finishers.
Speaking subjects must be on some aspect of the U.S. Constitution, with some emphasis on the duties and obligations of citizens to our government. Speeches are eight to 10 minutes long; three- to five-minute speeches on an assigned topic also are part of the contest.
For more information:
americanism@legion.org
Tri-State Mission Corps
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Your support and contributions will enable us to meet our goals and improve conditions. Your generous donation will help veterans in time of need. 100% of donations go to the veteran or family.
HONOR GUARD
When we pay tribute to our veterans, we want to make sure that it is done in a proper military manner. I mean: let us give our veterans not only a tribute but individual recognition for his or her service to their country, and for some it may have been the ultimate sacrifice. Let us honor them the way they honored their country, and to never forget those who did not come home. For some American Legion members, the Honor Guard could be the gray area that is not quite clear. The Honor Guard of American Legion Post 532 here in Hayesville, NC., was formed 10 years ago by a small group of dedicated Legionnaires who saw the need for providing military honors for their fellow veterans. It is doubtful that those visionaries could have imagined how the Honor Guard they created would one day evolve into the proficient and highly skilled organization that it is today. Our reputation for providing dignified services for our fellow veterans has become widely recognized throughout our community and beyond. They do what we all should be doing - honoring our veterans for their service, as well as those who are still serving this great country we live in. For without their service, where would we be? Let me just say that the Honor Guard of American Legion Post 532, and the Honor Guards all over the United States, will not forget. The Honor Guard has a wonderful history of those who served long ago, and of those who are serving now. The honor they bring to the veterans who have been called to other duties can never be surpassed. The thankful look on the families' faces, those who are both young and old, and those who are the loved one's immediate family. They come from all walks of life, and are of different nationalities, races and creeds, but the one fact they all share is that their loved one was a veteran. I think that the feeling is always there to answer the call when needed; and we are dedicated to serve those who have served before us and to be there for their families, even on a very short notice. It is an honored tradition, and only those who feel a special calling choose to serve in this capacity. It seems that sometimes we overlook some small part of the ceremony, but only we know what it may be. I guess it comes from wanting the family to be completely satisfied and that we did everything we could to honor their loved one. The smiles, the tears, a final hug and the final words of many thanks are enough for us to continue without the least hesitation. The service to honor the veteran includes a personal reading for all veterans, a prayer suitable for all denominations, the rifle squad firing a three-round volley with their weapons, and finally Taps by our bugler. At this conclusion, the Veterans Burial Flag is folded in the proper military manner, and then presented to the next of kin or designated recipient. It is now we know that we have finished honoring the veteran, and the day is done. In addition to being an Honor Guard member, you may also serve on the Color Guard, and in doing so you will be asked to post the national colors along with the Legion's colors to all who may require this honorable tradition. In my personal opinion, I think our national colors are the most beautiful in the entire world, and when I see our flag flying in the breeze I truly feel proud to an American. For God and Country