Tomorrow's Citizens

Heat. Heat. In the heart of the fertile Masilla Valley of the Rio Grand lies Los Cusus, New Mexico. Population 18,000. Farming and trade center of the valley. Los Cusus is typically American. Like Americans everywhere, its citizens are proud of their community, proud of their homes. Proud of 55 churches of practically all denominations, old churches, new churches. Los Cusus is aware of its colorful past and takes pride in the diverse elements in its heritage. Los Cusus is also proud of its recreational facilities. Yes, Los Cruus, like all American towns, is proud of all these things. A pride which is reflected in the activities of its many civic and social groups, organized to promote continuing community progress. Take the Joe Quezinberry Post number 10 of the American Legion. One night, not so very long ago, at a meeting such as this, a man with an idea sparked what developed into a major post activity. The idea was simple, that the post should do something to help the schools teach thrift and patriotism to the school children of Lasus. All members agreed that the idea was sound, that the teaching of thrift and patriotism was indeed worthwhile. Nevertheless, questions were raised. How was the idea to be carried out? Would busy school personnel be able to cooperate? Was the community ready for a Legion program to promote thrift and patriotism in the local schools? As for answers to these questions, opinion was divided. Although it was agreed that should the post eventually adopt the proposed activity, it would be designed to support the United States Treasury Department's National School Savings Program in Los Cusus. However, when the meeting broke up, no decision had been reached. But the basic idea was not forgotten. In the weeks that followed, legionnaires met in small groups and discussed the proposed activity. Here we see free men giving freely of their time in the hope of bettering their community and their country. These men were convinced that the veteran is especially suited to pass on the message of the vital role that thrift and patriotism has played in our nation's history. A message often taken for granted, yet one which must be imparted to each generation a new. The Legionnaires decided to dedicate their project to their distinguished postmember Seabour Collins, national commander of the American Legion. They chose I heard a veteran as a title for their proposed activity and defined the purpose of their activity as being to aid the schools in passing on to the young an appreciation of the fundamental values of thrift and patriotism. Now, this was to be accomplished by individual veterans talking directly to the school children to inspire love of country and to encourage thrift habits through the regular buying of United States savings bonds and stamps. Well, after the nature and purpose of the proposed activity were thoroughly threshed out, the question remained, how was the plan to be put across? Now, this is how the legionnaires went about it. The United States Treasury Department was called on for literature and guidance concerning the school savings program. Then the leg work began. Bill and Joe, representative legionnaires of this southwestern community, call on school officials. Yes, Bill and Joe. Here are tomorrow's citizens, guardians of the future. It's your job to help make them ready. ready for the building of a better life for all in a peaceful American future. The proposed I heard a veteran activity is explained to a school official just as other legionnaires are explaining it to other school officials. Once again, opinion was somewhat divided. All agreed that teaching of thrift and patriotism was of the greatest importance. Yet some felt that perhaps the proposed added activity might prove too much for an overburdened teaching staff. Others wondered if the community really wanted such an activity in the schools. Again, faced with the same problems in gaining active acceptance for the activity, the group of legionnaires decided to go to the community itself to talk face to face with the members of civic, religious, and social groups. They talk to parent teachers associations, the Optimus Club, the Kowanas, Pilot Club, Elks, Disabled American Veterans, the 2030 Club, the Rotary Club, Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Lions, American Legion, Women's Auxiliary, and others. All these groups responded enthusiastically to the proposed idea and pledged their cooperation in helping the schools to do the job. Thus assured of community support for their project, the Legion Post unanimously adopted the I heard a veteran activity. Likewise, school officials, seeing evidence of a real communitywide desire for such a program, gladly welcomed the veterans into the classrooms. A public ceremony was planned to launch the new activity. The local Civil Air Patrol cadets volunteered to distribute announcements inviting all The following Saturday, nearly all the children of Los Cruus, as well as many parents, were on hand. Many civic, religious, and social groups took part in the ceremonies. The high school band was there. Nearby Legion posts and other veterans organizations also sent representatives. Speakers from a number of organizations were present. The nature and purpose of the I heard a veteran activity were explained. Bill Macdonald, assistant national director, the United States Treasury Department Savings Bonds Division, expressed the Treasury's gratitude to the American Legion, the Las Cruus Schools, and the community as a whole for the public spirited service they were rendering. Talks were given on the value of thrift and patriotism in sustaining the American way. Cartoonist Fred Harmon, creator of the famous comic strip character Red Rider, delighted the children, as did his two sidekicks, Little Beaver and Chief Ed Nate. Several days later, all arrangements have been made for veterans to appear in the schools. At this primary school, it is stamp day, the day of the week when pupils are given an opportunity to buy United States Saving Stamps. Inside, Bill waits to give his talk. Bill first explains briefly why he is present. Then he speaks upon the nature of the benefits to be gained by buying United States saving stamps regularly. Benefits for both the individual and the nation. He describes definite goals to be realized through saving stamps. Goals attractive to this particular age group. A volunteer member of the parent teachers association sells saving stamps following Bill's talk to the class. While Bill is at the primary school, Joe is addressing a class at the high school. Joe is introduced by the president of the student council. The council in this particular school conducts the school savings program. Joe opens his talk by stating some of the problems faced by the nation today and explains why it is good citizenship to buy saving stamps and bonds. As an example of how stamp and bond purchases support their government, he mentions the rocket test conducted at nearby White Sands Proving Ground. Test designed to provide the knowledge man needs to break through the barriers of outer space. Now Joe shows a United States Navy film of the flag being raised at Euima. After the film, Joe recounts a personal war experience, the story of the heroic action of a buddy in combat. Joe concludes his talk by making a final appeal to the class to buy stamps and bonds regularly for the sake of themselves, their families, their community, and their country. But what about the reaction of Joe's audience? What are their thoughts as they listen? What is Mary Carson thinking? Mary dreams of savings bonds. Bonds which will make possible her future career. And what is Philip Mendes dreaming of? Philip too dreams of bonds. bonds, which could mean that hope for engineering degree. And in a primary school across town, what is in young Pete Martin's mind as he hears a veteran? Is he hunting bears with Davy Crockett or rustlers with Red Rider? Uh-uh. Wrong on both counts. Pete's dreaming of saving stamps. But why, a career? Wrong again. Pete wants a pony. And if Pete listens, he'll get that pony, too. Other veterans like Bill and Joe were in other school rooms on this first day and will be back again on future days so that all the young people of Los Cruises will get a chance to hear a veteran. As we have seen, the I heard a veteran activity was conceived and executed by a typical group of Americans in a typical American way. They had an idea. The simple idea that veterans render a community service by a continuing effort over the years to inform children of their rich heritage, to inspire an appreciation of thrift as a cornerstone of the American system, and to instill habits of thrift through the practical means offered by the United States Treasury School Savings Program. Although everyone agreed that the idea was good, some problems arose in translating the idea into action. Finally, the group of legionnaires decided that they should appeal to the community itself. And as we have seen, their effort was successful. Once aroused, the community showed itself to be solidly behind the I heard a veteran activity and was ready to support the schools in establishing and carrying out the treasury sponsored school savings program. Once again, legionnaires of a local post have rendered a patriotic service to their community and country. America's children are waiting. Waiting to hear you. Waiting to hear the story that only a veteran can tell.