Americanism Program Presented at Hillcrest Elementary School by the Gen. Smedley. D. Butler Detachment

On Wednesday May 18, the General Smedley D. Butler Detachment's Americanism/Flag History team made a presentation to the fifth graders of the Hillcrest Elementary School in Drexel Hill. The program consisted of the evolution of the American Flag, and the saga of the Star Spangled Banner's creation at Ft. McHenry, Baltimore, Md. Marine Jim Mulhern told the story of the burning of the capital and other important buildings in Washington, DC, during the War of 1812 and the British attempt to conquer the strategic fort in Baltimore harbor. No amount of shot and shell could bring the Colonists to their knees. When Francis Scot Key arose the morning after his incarceration with his friend Dr. Beane, he looked out the Ft. McHenry prison window and saw that the "flag was still there". Inspired by that sight, Key authored a poem that was initially entitled "The Defense of Fort McHenry" and is now our National Anthem, "The Star Spangled Banner". Marine Earle Drake played bugle calls on the Detachment's electronic bugle for the audience. Each of the 125 students and teaching staff were provided with a Flag key chain or Flag pin, a brochure on how to display the Flag, and a Flag Recognition I.D. card.

The General Smedley D. Butler Detachment provides educational programs for children, historically relevant exhibits in libraries and museums, and Graveside Honor Ceremonies. Through its Help Us Help Others program, it also provides financial and other assistance to wounded veterans and their families.

The Marine Corps League was founded in 1923 by WWI Marine hero and then Maj. Gen. and Commandant of the United States Marine Corps, John A. Lejeune. Today the League boasts of a membership in excess of 76,000. Its sponsored programs include Marines Helping Marines, the Youth Physical Fitness Program, the Young Marines of the Marine Corps League, the Veterans Service Officer Program, the Marine Corps League Auxiliary, the Toys for Tots program, the Adopt-a-Highway program, and several scholarships.

The photo shows left to right, Jim Mulhern, Principal Veronica Ellers, Earle Drake and several students from the fifth grade.