Florida Squadron 189 member Peter Puzzo brings flag education into local schools.
Peter Puzzo has reached his goal of teaching Americanism to 250 students and adults as part of his participation in The American Legion’s USA 250 Challenge. Since the challenge kicked off last July to celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday on July 4, 2026, Puzzo and others from Post 189 in Sebastian, Fla., have visited five local schools to provide flag education.
Participating in the USA 250 Challenge “was an opportunity for me to do something for the Legion,” said Puzzo, Americanism chairman and member of Squadron 189.
The post and squadron members have been going into Indian River County Schools for several years with its Americanism 101 program, which consists of videos, presentations and hands-on experience. The program teaches students in elementary through middle school the history of the Pledge of Allegiance, shares a Red Skelton video about the meaning of each word in the Pledge of Allegiance, discusses the origin of the Star-Spangled Banner, and educates about the history of the U.S. flag by showing the “I am the Flag” video starring Jimmy Weldon, a World War II veteran.
When the program is taught to elementary students, Puzzo hands out copies of the Legion’s “I Pledge Allegiance” activity comic book that educates on why we recite the Pledge of Allegiance, what each word means, and why our flag is important.
The students also learn about flag etiquette and how to properly fold the flag. “The children always volunteer to do this part,” Puzzo said. “And when the student is done with the triangle, they hold it up and the class applauds them.”
Puzzo, who is in the post honor guard, conducts a mock flag presentation ceremony for a veteran’s funeral for the students to understand the repsect rendered. “The kids get a sense of what this is really all about,” he said. If the Americanism program is being taught close to Memorial Day, Puzzo will hand students a flyer inviting them to put flags on veteran gravesites with the Post 189 Legion Family.
“I love kids and I love thinking that I am helping them formulate pride in their country,” he said.
- USA250 Challenge