State of Montana Newsroom
Superintendent Arntzen and Billings American Legion Honor Patriot Day by Supporting ‘Stars and Stripes in Every Classroom’
Superintendent Arntzen and Billings American Legion Honor Patriot Day by Supporting ‘Stars and Stripes in Every Classroom’
September 9, 2020
HELENA— Superintendent of Public Instruction Elsie Arntzen is joining the Billings American Legion Post 117 for their annual Patriot Day ceremony on the Yellowstone County Courthouse lawn beginning at noon on Friday, September 11th. Following the annual ceremony at around 12:15pm, Superintendent Arntzen and Americanism Chairman for Post 117 George Blackard will unveil the ‘Stars and Stripes in Every Classroom’ initiative. The initiative is a partnership between the Office of Public Instruction and Post 117 to raise funds for American flags in schools.
“As we look ahead to this coming Patriot Day, I want to thank the men and women who have served our country,” Superintendent Arntzen said Wednesday. “We must honor our veterans by having strong civics education programs in schools to educate the next generation about the rights and responsibilities that we enjoy as Americans thanks to our servicemen and women. One way to encourage this is by proudly displaying the stars and stripes in every classroom.”
“American Legion Post 117 is proud to join our State Superintendent Elsie Arntzen, in getting U.S. Flags back in classrooms all across Montana. On June 14th, 1923 The American Legion brought over sixty civic organizations together to write the U.S. Flag Code and now, nearly one hundred years later, we are excited to rededicate ourselves to honoring the symbol of our Nation and sharing our respect for our Flag with the children of Montana. This is a project that Legion Posts across the state can join in on and together we can promote Americanism and support the children & youth of Montana.”- George Blackard, Americanism Chairman for Post 117
State law requires flags in every school classroom but only if schools can afford them or have them donated.
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CONTACT: Dylan Klapmeier
Director of Communications, Montana Office of Public Instruction
406-444-3559