2 The following suggestions have been offered as a guide for church participation: Cooperate with the civic and community organizations in the observance of the day, as many churches and church councils have already done. Publicize the plans for the day in church bulletins and periodicals. Where local congregations have newly naturalized citizens, arrange a special service in their honor, or give special recognition to them in one of the regular services. Where local congregations have no such immediate contacts, make the services of the day an occasion for interpretation of the contribution which foreign-born citizens have made to the life of our country, and prayer for brotherhood and unity among all groups. Plan discussion of the day and its meaning in the various church groups-Sunday School. young people's societies, men's and women's classes, and others. Give due recognition to young men and women who have recently come to voting age. Make use of chaplains to share their experience of the value of American ideals and the contribution of the foreign-born in the stress of war. Emphasize through all available channels the spiritual values underlying American democracy, and appeal for rededication by all Americans to responsible and active citizenship. Reports from many localities indicate that all religious faiths are making increasing contributions to the success of Citizenship Day observances, both in the programs celebrating the day and in the church services. In many communities, all groups have joined together in community programs and in the work of program committees. No creed has prevented them from doing their part to give a spiritual impact to the principles-inalienable in origin-laid down by the Founding Fathers. Communities differ in the extent to which religious groups participate in the main ceremony. In some places only the invocation is offered and the National Anthem closes the ceremony. In other communities, an invocation opens the ceremony and a benediction 'FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST IN AMERICA. Suggested program of worship, "I Am an American Day," 1946. concludes it. In still other places, Catholics, Protestants, and Jews have participated in the program, through an invocation, a prayer near the middle of the program, and a benediction. In some communities participation is rotated among the several faiths, with only one faith participating each year. The representatives of the religious faiths who are selected to take part in the program should be fully advised of the significance of Citizenship Day, if they do not already know and appreciate its purpose. In many of the celebrations, the sermons and prayers of the day have been sublime appeals for recognition of the basic principles of citizenship. In every community today are flags studded with gold stars that bear silent witness of Americans who have given their lives that freedom shall not perish from the earth. In the prayers for the war dead, many representatives call upon the living to take increased devotion to the cause for which the honored dead gave their lives and to fashion a better world along the pathway of justice and charity and lasting peace. Whether in the services of the synagogue or church, or in the prayers of the formal celebrations, religious expression is generally woven around the essence of good citizenship-including the guarantees of freedom of religion. PLEDGES, CREEDS, AND CODES The recital of the American's Creed, the Oath of Allegiance, and the Pledge to the Flag, the singing of patriotic songs, and the Salute to the Flag afford opportunity for expression of the spiritual and patriotic significance of the occasion. Especially is this true when the recital is made impressive by stressing the meaning of each in relation to the United States. Every one participating should have an understanding of the meaning and significance of the creed that is recited, the pledge that is uttered, and the vow that is made. For instance, the words of Woodrow Wilson, spoken to a group of new citizens at a huge celebration held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1916, helped them to see themselves as pledging their faith "to a great ideal, to a great body of principles, to a great hope of the human race." Likewise, the American's Creed is repeated with more appre "the ciation by an audience when it realizes that the Creed sums up best in American ideals, history, and tradition, as expressed by the Founders of the Republic and its greatest statesmen and writers." A citizen who understands the American's Creed, believes in its principles, and lives up to its mandates is an American in thought and in action.R Audience participation, if carefully planned, can be made a very effective part of the program. Mass recital of the American's Creed, the Oath of Allegiance, and the Pledge to the Flag; the singing of patriotic songs; and the Salute to the Flag should, however, be under capable direction. In order to stimulate the audience to better understanding and deeper appreciation of the part in which they share, the leader of audience participation may use an emotional part of the occasion for a short but meaningful expression before the Pledge 18 given. For example, in a New York City celebration, the climax of a gripping program came when Judge Learned Hand, Senior Judge, United States Circuit Court of Appeals, spoke briefly before he led a vast audience in a solemn and unforgettable mass Pledge of Allegiance. "We have gathered here," said Judge Hand, "to affirm a faith, a faith in a common purpose, a common conviction, a common devotion-America. I ask you to arise and with me to pledge our faith in the glorious destiny of our beloved country." The entire throng of 1,400,000, including 150,000 young men and women of voting age and thousands of others who had been newly naturalized, rose and in unison pledged their faith to this great ideal. On the Pacific side of our Nation during the last year of World War II, seventy-five thousand people-seven thousand of whom had been Arizona Republic. "I Am an American Day," 1944. "Were one to set out on the streets of the towns or the highways in the rural areas and ask all one met the question, 'What is an American?' one would obtain a wide variance of answers. Perhaps, the nearest approach to a correct answer to the query is found in "The American's Creed'. “The individual who lives up to this creed, who believes in it strong enough to follow its mandates, and who has faith in the Almighty Father under whose divine guidance this Nation has prospered, can truly be said to be an American. Unfortunately, there are many who call themselves Americans ** * who are not Americans at all, either in principle or ideology, nor do they abide by The American's Creed." naturalized or had reached their twenty-first birthday during the preceding year-gathered in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum to dedicate themselves anew to the principles for which this Nation stands. An army color guard raised the flag to the top of the Coliseum pole high above the crowd, where a breeze sent its folds rippling. The band swung into the stately national anthem, and the great crowd stood, proudly and reverently facing "Old Glory." To the new citizens the flag took on a deeper meaning—it was their flag now to protect and defend. To all other citizens came a better understanding of the significance of America through the blending of the old and new under a common flag. They were "Americans All." As they gazed upon the National Emblem, the thoughts of the many thousands who gathered there must have centered upon those in our armed services, especially upon those who were defending the American faith overseas. Judge J. F. T. O'Connor, of the United States District Court, seemed to sense this when he arose to lead the great throng in the Pledge of Allegiance. Solemnly he said: "Let the men overseas hear you!" And the crowd, heeding his words, sent forth in a mighty chorus, "the Pledge that bound them, old citizens and new, young and white-haired, in uniform and out, to protect, to defend and be loyal." At the Albany, New York, 1946 celebration, the audience rose in a marvelous tribute when their local hero-the winner of the Congressional Medal of Honor, Peter J. D'Allesandro-stepped forward to read the American's Creed. They realized that the war hero spoke words that he had put into fierce action against the enemy, and for which he had received the Nation's highest military award. ADDRESSES An address offers one of the best mediums for emphasizing the importance of citizenship. Like the address to new citizens at the court induction ceremony, it should be short and inspirational and should center around the implications of citizenship. Speeches that tax audiences to boredom with scattered thoughts, lengthily extended and poorly delivered, can do much to kill the effectiveness of Citizenship Day ceremonies. Emphasizing alike the duties and privileges, the obligations and rights of our American citizenship, an address can make a lasting impression upon an audience and deepen its devotion to our democracy. In recent years many fine addresses have been delivered. Several factors were responsible for their success. One of the most important was the care that many communities exercised in selecting the principal speaker. Generally, only outstanding speakers, either from the locality itself or from the outside, were chosen. Occasionally, notable foreign-born citizens or heroes returned from the battle fronts were selected. Persons from the latter groups delivered messages that were deeply felt by the listeners. They were appreciated all the more because the speakers themselves exemplified the meaning of citizenship. Addresses should have titles descriptive of their content, which should follow the theme of the occasion. They should also be worded to catch the imagination. Suggested titles, some of which have been used, are: I Am an American Our American Heritage Masters, Not Vassals of the State Influence of Education on Citizenship Democracy-A Moral Force What It Means to Be an American Loyalty to Americanism Cooperation for National Unity Democracy, the Pillar of Freedom Over the Ramparts We Watch The Guardian of Liberty and Civilization The Future of America The World We Want to Build The Crusade for Freedom No Greater Joy! No Greater Duty! No Right Without a Duty Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship Americanism Exemplified. In developing the theme of the day, speeches can be made effective if the speakers draw illustrations from matters of local interest. A speaker may refer to significant contributions to American life made by the community in the past. He can emphasize "Americanism Ex |