Americanism

Promoting pride in country, respect for the flag and appreciation of our freedoms are the primary purposes of Exchange's Americanism programs. Some of the Americanism projects include:

• Freedom Shrine
• Project GiveAKidAFlagToWave
• The Healing Field Foundation
• One Nation Under God
• Proudly We Hail
• Get out the Vote

The Freedom Shrine

The Freedom Shrine is an impressive, permanently mounted collection of 30 of the most important and historic American documents, including the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States and the Gettysburg Address. They show our nation's youth the strength and courage of their forefathers by allowing them to read, with their own eyes, the immortal words of inspired Americans who so decisively changed the course of history.

The objective of Exchange is to install a Freedom Shrine in every junior and senior high school in the nation. However, Freedom Shrines have also found places of honor in universities, libraries, state capitols, airports, city halls and other public places where they can be studied and admired. For more information on the Freedom Shrine, visit the Virtual Freedom Shrine website.

Project GiveAKidAFlagToWave

Just as its tongue-twisting title suggests, this popular projects involves the distribution of small American flags to youngsters at parades, fairs, picnics, school events or other community happenings that generate large crowds. The flags are absolutely free to the children and can make a great souvenir of the occasion.

The Healing Field Foundation

The work and mission of the Healing Field Foundation spontaneously emerged from a patriotic desire of citizens in Sandy, Utah to honor the memory of the victims of the September 11th tragedy with a symbolic field of U.S. Flags. Response to this first Healing Field flag display from around the nation was so overwhelming that The Healing Field Foundation was formed. A Healing Field is an impressive number of full-sized American flags displayed in a large open outdoor space. The flags can represent veterans, children who have died at the hands of an abuser or other noteworthy causes. To read more visit: www.healingfield.org or call 866-375-FLAG (3524).

One Nation Under God

This powerful program not only aims to increase appreciation of our rich religious heritage, but also seeks to remind Americans that we must always trust in a higher power for guidance, protection and strength. The famous words of the program's title are, of course, taken from the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. One Nation Under God Month is observed annually during November.

Proudly We Hail

No symbol better signifies our nation's greatness than our American flag?the Stars and Stripes. The Proudly We Hail program encourages regular display of the flag by individuals, commercial establishments and industries. To honor them a specially designed plaque is presented at a club meeting. Every club member can participate in the program because it is the individual member who watches for and nominates potential recipients. This outstanding program promotes Americanism as well as community recognition by the sponsoring Exchange Club.

Get Out the Vote!

The National Exchange Club has developed this project to encourage Americans to "Get Out the Vote!" Americans are given the freedom of choice?to choose which candidate to elect or whether to vote at all. An alarming number of citizens are choosing the second option, leaving only a handful of people to decide who will run our country. Through this exciting program, clubs will educate and encourage people not only to register, but also to cast their vote on election day.