‘Legion, home-school community share values’

I had heard of The American Legion, but I knew very little of what it stood for. By getting involved with a terrific American Legion program (the Oratorical Contest) this year with my home-schooled daughter, it taught my family a lot about the organization.

First, The American Legion and the home-school community share some important values. The Legion believes in strong families, a vibrant patriotism, and our country’s special place in history. Many in the home schooling community share and appreciate these values, especially as values like these continue to be pushed aside by the dominant voices in our culture.

Second, The American Legion takes the notion of civic duty seriously. The organization is built on the concepts of service and civic duty. Legion members voluntarily work together for progress, and they care about the future of our country, our freedoms and our way of life. The men and women of The American Legion all served our country in uniform, and they continue to serve today.

Third, The American Legion offers many opportunities for youth to broaden their knowledge and skills. For example, the Legion’s high school Oratorical Contest gives students the opportunity to earn college scholarships while gaining a deeper understanding of the U.S. Constitution. Boys State and Girls State programs teach rising high school seniors about the rights, privileges and responsibilities of franchised citizens. And American Legion Baseball was founded on the principles of sportsmanship, good health and active citizenship. These are just a few youth programs offered by The American Legion that contribute to healthy families, patriotism and American culture.

In Idaho and across the country, The American Legion is seeing and appreciating the results of home education. Legion members are continually impressed by the character, the citizenship traits and academic excellence many home-schooled youth possess.

The American Legion is a great place to see what patriotism looks like. It is a great place to gain an understanding of what the Legion calls Americanism. And, it is a great place to meet veterans and hear their stories.

Ken and his wife Marylin live in Meridian, Idaho, and home-school their four children.