On a Citizenship Day observance, the Irish-American Historical Society awarded a medal to the late William M. Jeffers in recognition of the distinguished services that he had performed for his country as Rubber Administrator during our greatest national crisis. In accepting the medal Mr. Jeffers asked if it might be shared posthumously with his father. In speaking of his parents and other parents of our early days as a Nation, Mr. Jeffers said:

They built homes-not houses-homes, and these homes, the backbone of American stability, were their seriously accepted responsibility, and they carried that responsibility manfully through life. They built churches, and they revered religion-and they practiced it. They battled whole-heartedly on political questions but with an eye always on the good of America. They came here because they believed in America, and, once planted here, they kept the faith.

This story of William M. Jeffers and his father is illustrative of how America was built. The fathers and mothers built what they could, then inspired their children and others to add to the structure.

Increasingly, Citizenship Day has come to be regarded as the time when all citizens may come together for a common ideal, thereby adding to the unity from which this Nation draws much of its strength. In essence, they pay homage to the country "which they share in wondrous equality." This broader significance of the day has also been repeatedly emphasized in the annual Presidential Proclamations, and by the proclamations issued by the Governors of States, mayors of cities, and other officials.

In the final analysis, the motivations in honoring both major groups and selected individuals on Citizenship Day are the need to impress upon all members of the community the significance of citizenship, the desire to honor all citizens who have advanced the wellbeing of our country, and the opportunity to use the occasion as a time of rededication by each of us to the ideals and principles of the American way of life.

GENERAL THEME

Although the fundamental or basic idea centering around the significance of citizenship is always the same, a general or national theme, appropriate to current conditions, is suggested annually.

Around this theme communities usually plan their special programs for the observance of Citizenship Day.

For example, the theme for an early year of World War II was "Freedom shall not perish from this Earth." For a later year of the war it was, "A Good Neighbor Policy Towards the United Nations." Born out of the world crisis, this theme had a two-fold objective, one immediate and the other ultimate. The immediate purpose was the building of better relationships among the peoples of the United Nations in order to achieve greater unity for bringing the war to a successful conclusion. The ultimate purpose was the laying of the foundation for fashioning a better world and building a lasting peace.

As a logical outgrowth of the war's conclusion, “Building the Peace" was an appropriate theme. This was followed by the lofty slogan, "We Here Highly Resolve," taken from the immortal Gettysburg Address. These words of Lincoln proved to be a challenging slogan. With their sacred implications they called to remembrance all who had suffered and sacrificed in behalf of Freedom, especially those who had fought, many of them dying, in the late conflict.

The theme, whatever it may be, always has as its major purpose to keep alive the devotion to our heritage that has made this country strong, united, and free.

It is not obligatory, however, for communities to accept the general theme. A current local situation may make the selection of a different theme more appropriate.

The elements and methods used to achieve the theme will differ from place to place to meet the needs of the particular community and to fit into the local resources for program-making. Ceremonies include both large community-sponsored celebrations and programs given by smaller units, such as neighborhood centers, schools, churches, libraries, clubs, and organizations. A citizenship recognition program for the whole community, especially in a big city, requires a large hall, an open square or a park or stadium, and complicated planning; while a neighborhood program put on by a church or school requires a less pretentious setting and no involved planning. Whether the observance is held in the Capital of the Nation, in a great metropolis, or in some tiny village, the program should reflect

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basic ideas on citizenship. If the ceremony portrays and makes impressive such ideas, if all parts of the program—the parades, music, and song; the pageants, tableaux, pantomime, and dances; the addresses, essays, and reading; the prayers, pledges, oaths of allegiance, creeds, and codes; the recognitions and awards—are built around a central theme that emphasizes the worth and meaning of United States citizenship, the occasion will be a moving and memorable experience. If, however, the elements of the program are thrown together and haphazardly carried out, without regard to a unifying theme, then the ceremony can become ineffective and be without value for the citizens honored and for those honoring them.

PARADES

Parades leave a lasting impression if they are well organized, colorful, spirited, and symbolic. A parade can stimulate an interest and enthusiasm that make the audience emotionally responsive to the obligations of citizenship. An inspiring, band-studded, patriotic parade touches the hearts of those who watch it.

Some communities hold their parade on a week day, leaving Sunday for the recognition ceremony. In other communities, the parade precedes the main ceremony. In still other places, the parade is held during the day, with the program in the evening.

The parade should be well planned, and its posters, floats, and music should be in harmony with the theme of the day. The procession should include both old citizens and new-the young voter and the naturalized. Veterans of wars should march again on the soil of the country they have so gallantly defended. Disabled servicemen should ride in the parade and be guests of honor elsewhere in the program. Patriotic, fraternal, civic, and school groups, and all other groups and individuals who will help to emphasize community and national unity should be represented. Such comprehensive participation helps to wipe out old-world hatreds and long-held prejudices and to prepare all citizens for working together toward the common goal of mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation. A colorful parade, participated in by the many and varied units of the community, promotes community solidarity and symbolizes the importance of United States citizenship.

PAGEANTS

Many communities convey the significance of American citizenship by means of a pageant. Events and personages of national and local history can be impressively dramatized through the use of musical interpretation, tableaux, pantomime, and dances. Episodes that feature several national groups afford an opportunity to stress the concept of unity that underlies United States citizenship, particularly if they have as a climax one in which the groups are unified and appear as "Americans All."

Some communities are fortunate in having nationality groups that can contribute out of the richness of their cultural heritage to the pageant with folk songs, colorful costumes, and distinctive dances. For example, one program vividly symbolized the message of the day in a portrayal of oppressed foreign-born groups arriving at the Statue of Liberty in search of the American ideal.

In another program, twenty-two nationalities presented “America; with Liberty and Justice for All" in eight tableaux. Men and women in the dress of their native countries represented scenes of American industry and culture. The contrast of foreign costumes and American scenes emphasized the unity that these groups achieve through their United States citizenship.

In another program, twelve scenes of pageantry and song unfolded in beauty and solemnity the history of the Nation's growth from the Indians' first sight of the White Man, through the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, into the gay Nineties, the Spanish-American War, World War I, the roaring Twenties, the Thirties, and World War II. A prologue to each sketch of these stepping stones of the Nation gave the audience a vivid narrative picture of the country's history.

One community, through tableaux, depicted Five Freedoms"Freedom From Want," "Freedom From Fear," "Freedom of Speech," "Freedom From Prejudice," and "Freedom of Religion." The "Freedom of Religion" included a Protestant father reading the Bible to his children; a mother of the Eastern Orthodox Church worshipping in the icon corner; a Roman Catholic mother and her child praying before the Crucifix; a Jewish family gathered to light the candles on Friday evening; and a Moslem, a Hindu, and a Buddhist worshipping in their traditional ways.

The raising of the flag on Iwo Jima has been the subject of striking tableaux in many places. In a gigantic and inspirational celebration held in Chicago in 1945, the highlight of the program was the reenactment of the flag-raising ceremony atop Mt. Suribachi. The original flag was used and three of the survivors took part. One of them, John Bradley, said: "I sure wish the other three could have been here." There must have been lumps in the throats of thousands as they witnessed the three buddies help to raise the flag aloft in the thrilling pageant.

These are only a few of the pageants of America's history that harmonize with the theme and spirit of Citizenship Day observance. Other appropriate themes for pageants are: American struggle for Freedom; Heroes of Liberty; The Story of the Flag. No matter what theme is used for the pageant, it should always harmonize with the general theme of the local celebration.

PRAYERS, SERMONS, AND SONGS

Set forth in the Declaration of Independence, and guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States, is the principle that all men are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights that have their roots in the Divine and are not to be taken away by any human power. These two sacred documents give substance to aspirations that men have cherished in their hearts since the dawn of history-the ideals of citizenship.

It is fitting, therefore, that all faiths join in the Citizenship Day celebrations to reaffirm their belief in these ideals, and to give a spiritual and moral aspect to the occasion. They should not only contribute a religious note to the main celebration of the day, but the morning services should be in harmony with the day's theme. In so doing each member of the congregation has the opportunity of renewing his devotion to the ideals of this country and of reemphasizing the significance of his citizenship.

The observance affords the churches an unusual opportunity to add their own important contribution to a day of high possibilities by stressing the spiritual qualities of citizenship.