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 the effort and will do so again during the 2003-2004 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 among these organizations and Arkansas schools.
The success of this program has been due to the voluntary efforts of hundreds of Arkansans who care deeply about America. Representatives from a veterans' group in the local area will be contacting school officials 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 Arkansas Department of Education appreciates the cooperation of Arkansans with the veterans' groups in this statewide effort.