This week's top 5 

1. Count down to Flag Day with these social media graphics

In support of The American Legion’s Rally  Around the Flag campaign to instill pride and respect for the flag, a new set of social media graphics have been created. The Voices of Our Flag social media series include individual, downloadable graphics that can be shared on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The flag quotes featured on the graphics are from veterans, Legion leadership, presidents, Olympians and many others. Download the Voices of Our Flag social media graphics at legion.org/flag/resources.

There’s more: The Rally Around the Flag and Know Your Code series of social media graphics can still be downloaded and shared in the weeks heading into Flag Day. These graphics feature historical notes, fun facts and voices from history about Old Glory, and U.S. Flag Code facts. 

2. Listen to an engaging conversation on veteran suicide prevention 

The American Legion Training Tuesday session on April 25 welcomed U.S. Marine veteran Jason Murrey who discussed how to engage a veteran in a crisis, identify warning signs of suicide, provide assistance to a veteran in a crisis, and how to break down the stigma of talking about suicide and asking for help. Watch the presentation by Murrey, a prevention specialist for the Indiana Department of Education, on the Training Tuesday web page. 

Be the One: Murrey’s training is in support of The American Legion’s “Be the One” suicide prevention initiative to raise awareness and eliminate the stigma related to mental health treatment. There are “Be the One” suicide prevention resources available for posts and Legion Family members to use for events and promotional efforts. Download the resources here.   

3. American Legion names first youth program champion of 2023

Haley Bock of Indianapolis won The American Legion’s National High School Oratorical Contest on April 23. For her first-place finish, the homeschool senior won a $25,000 scholarship. Second-place finish and a $22,500 scholarship was awarded to Ian Chung of Vestal, N.Y., and third-place finish and a $20,000 scholarship was awarded to Emma Johnson of Powell, Wyo. Bock emerged in the National Oratorical Contest, held in Indianapolis, from a competitive field of 48 high school orators from across the country who spoke on an aspect of the U.S. Constitution. Throughout the weekend's competition over $203,000 was awarded in scholarships.

Go deeper: If you’re a high school youth and want to participate in the oratorical contest, learn more about the program and how to get involved here.  

4. Legionnaire documents the brotherhood between soldiers and interpreters

Four-time Emmy winner and American Legion member Robert Ham has a new documentary, “Interpreters Wanted,” which tells the story of Afghan men who chose to work with U.S. troops. He discusses making the film, working during his deployment and more on this week’s episode of The American Legion Tango Alpha Lima podcast. Ham did several documentaries during his Afghanistan deployment in 2009, including an attack on an outpost on July 4, which eventually led to “Interpreters Wanted.” You can watch the trailer and learn more here.

Go deeper. There are more than 170 Tango Alpha Lima podcasts available in both audio and video formats here.

5. A thank you in your inbox 

The American Legion kicked off “Thank You Thursday” yesterday. Members will receive exclusive offers, great deals and even free stuff as a way of expressing our gratitude for your service and commitment to The American Legion. If you were previously signed up for Member Discount Benefits you are already subscribed to Thank You Thursday. American Legion members who would like to sign up for the newsletter, can do so here.  

Don’t miss out: The American Legion has a variety of newsletters to sign up for. You can easily do so here.