During the spring term of the 1988-89 school year, the state's major veterans groups participated in the first state-coordinated effort to introduce Arkansas school children to flag etiquette and to the proper way to show respect to the American flag. The flag education program has been so successful that the veterans groups are continuing to support this effort and will do so again during the 2002-2003 school year.
Representatives from Arkansas affiliates of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, Fleet Reserve Association, Jewish War Veterans, and Vietnam Veterans of America will be conducting the program in every fifth-grade classroom. Nick D. Bacon, Director of the Department of Veterans Affairs, is again coordinating the effort between these organizations and Arkansas schools.
The success of this program has depended on the voluntary efforts of hundreds of Arkansans who care deeply about our country. Representatives from one of the veterans' groups in your area will be contacting you to request approximately forty-five minutes of classroom time to make a presentation on flag etiquette. Each fifth-grade student also receives a booklet on flag etiquette. The Department of Education appreciates each school's cooperation with the veterans' groups in this statewide effort.