During the spring term of the 1998-99 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 veteran's groups are continuing to support this effort and will do so again during the 1999-2000 school year.
Representatives from Arkansas affiliates of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, Fleet Reserve Association, 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 been due to 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 will also receive a booklet on flag etiquette. We appreciate your cooperation with the veterans' group in this statewide effort.