Patriot's Pen Contest is open to students in grades 6, 7 and 8. Home schooled students are also eligible. The theme for 2007-2008 contest is "Why I Am An American Patriot"" Students are required to write a 3000-400 word essay on this year's theme.

The essay will be judged on knowledge of the theme, theme development and clarity of ideas .Essays should be typewritten in English with no color or graphics. The deadline for essays at the local level is November l, 2005 The essay must be the contestant's own work and a product of his thinking. For more information, please call Elaine Taylor, Auxiliary Chairman, at 207-487-5416.

Last year, more than 115,000 students participated in the annual contest.

The contest consists of four levels, local, district, state, and national. The deadline for the entry on the local level is November 3,2007. Winners at this level go on to District and from there to the State level. The first-place winner at the state level advances to the National competition. National prizes include Saving Bonds from $1.000 to$10,000.

All entries must be submitted to a VFW Post. Lee-Doncet

YOUNG AMERICAN CREATIVE PATRIOTIC ART CONTEST
The Lee-Doncet Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary #9955 is once again sponsoring the Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest for students in grades 9-12. Home-schooled students are also eligible.

Art must be on paper or canvas. Water color, pencil, pastel, charcoal, tempera, crayon, acrylic, pen-and-ink may be used .If submitting computer/digital art, be aware that all images need to be original; ie., do not scan in or otherwise use photographs or art created by others. Do not frame your entry. Canvas entries must be on stretcher frames. Other entries must be matted on white. The art should be no smaller than 8" by 10" but no larger than 18" by 24", not including mat. Entry form must be attached to back.

If you use the American Flag in your entry, it must conform to the Federal Flag Code as far as color, number of stars and stripes, and other rules of the code. Entries are judged on Theme Knowledge, Theme Development, and Clarity of Ideas. Entries are judged at the local level with the winner going to the District to be judged. District winners are sent to the Department Patriotic Art Chairman for judging. Only the first- place State winner is eligible for the National Competition.

Scholarship Prizes for the National winners range from $2,500 to $10,000 . Winners will receive awards at each level. Th is a great opportunity for students to use their creative talents with a goal of receiving scholarships to further their education. We encourage participation and if you need further information, you may call Lee-Doncet Auxiliary Chairman Elaine Taylor at 207-487-5416 Entry deadline at the local level is March 1, 2008.

Voice of Democracy Essay Contest
Once agin this year Lee-Doncet Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #9955 and its Auxiliary are sponsoring the annual Voice of Democracy Essay Contest. Information may be obtained from Auxiliary Chairman Elaine Taylor, Telephone 207-487-5416, and Commander Robert Tibbetts at 487-2795.

The theme for this year's contest is "My Role In Honoring America's Veterans"". This contest gives the students an opportunity to express their views in a three to five minute essay based on the annual theme.

This contest is open to students in grades 9 - 12, and is designed to foster patriotism. Home-schooled students are also eligible, but their entries must be submitted to a local VFW Post and Auxiliary. Students enter by submitting the required entry form along with their essay and recording to a local VFW Post. Chairman Taylor has established this program at Maine Central Institute, which serves as the local High School for students in Pittsfield, Detroit and Burnham.

This scholarship program was created in 1947 and annually provides more than $3 million in scholarships. The scholarship funding is held at National Headquarters in escrow for 10 years from high school graduation and the funds are disbursed as needed. Funds may be used for tuition, books, laboratory fees, or other items relating to the student's formal education. Clothing, room and board and pocket money are not considered authorized expenditures.

Entries are submitted to the local VFW Post and Auxiliary. Entries must be in the local Post hands by midnight on Nov. 1, 2007 . Winners at the local level are sent to the District, with winners at the District level sent to the State level. The State's first place winner's entry is sent to National for judging. The State first place winner will receive an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C. in March to tour the city, meet our leaders, and receive their portion of $145,000 in National scholarships. Also, all State winners receive a trip in June to renew friendships and learn more about America's history. The National winner s will receive scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $30,000.

Students need to record their entry on a standard cassette tape or CD and submit the tape, a neatly typed copy of the essay, and the entry form for judging. The entry is judged on originality, content and delivery. The deadline at the local level is Nov. 1, 2007.

Some time ago, Lee-Doncet's entry from Maine Central Institute placed first in the State of Maine competition. The Post and Auxiliary would like to see that happen again and encourage all students to participate, as awards are available on all levels.

President Jane Poulin

Sr. Vice President Joan Hebert

Jr. Vice President Lynn Dnton

Treasurer Julia O'Leary

Chaplain Yvonne Brooker

Conductress Barbara Cook

Guard Sandra Jane Holt

NDCM 1 Barbara Sawyer

Auxiliary President of the Year for Group l was Ruby Shaw First Place - Lee-Doncet Auxiliary President. In Group l

Youth Activities, Patriotic Art Contest, Best Overall Presentation

Publicity Program, Best Overall Promotion of Patriotic Art Contest

Community Service Program, Most service for their community in 'Group l

• Americanism Ruth Walker
• Buddy Poppy Elaine Taylor
• Cancer Aid and Research Elaine Taylor
• Community Service Ruth Walker
• Hospital Carol Tibbetts
• Legislative Patricia Johnston
• Membership Ruth Walker
• VFW National Home Patricia Johnston
• VFW Political Action Ruth Walker
• Publicity Ruth Walker
• Rehabilitation Carol Tibbetts
• Youth Activities Carol Tibbetts
• Voice of Democracy Elaine Taylor
• Ways and Means Patricia Johnston
• Mentor Ruth Walker

It was also reported that District 5 will be meeting on July 22 at 2:00 p.m. at the Newport VFW Hall on West Street in Newport. Refreshments will be served following the meeting by the Newport VFW Post. This will be a joint meeting as Newport does not have a Ladies Auxiliary.

• Commander Robert Tibbetts
• Senior Vice Commander Charles O"Reilly
• Junior Vice Commander Ray Sparrow
• Quartermaster Lyle Chadwick
• Adjutant Willis Stanley
• Chaplain Francis Grignon
• Surgeon Camille Desrosier

• President Ruby Shaw
• Senior Vice President Pat Johnston
• Junior vice President Carol Tibbetts
• Treasurer Elaine Taylor
• Secretary Ruth Walker
• Conductress Ramona Emerson
• Secretary Ruth Walker
• Guard Verna Hustus

President Ruby Shaw conducted the regular monthly meeting of Lee-Doncet VFW Auxiliary #9955 on June 5 at the Post Home on 576 Peltoma Avenue. Officers Reports were read and approved. Communications included Department General Orders and Reports of Department Chairmen., National President's General Orders #5, an invitation from the Town of Pittsfield to the Dedication ceremonies for the Barbara Fendler Memorial Park on Sebasticook Street on June 23 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., and a thank you note from the family of "Betty Taylor.

Publicity Chairman Ruth Walker reported that she had prepared an article with facts about Flag Day which she sent to five area newspapers for publication on Flag Day. Treasurer Elaine Taylor reported that she had received the Dues cards for 2008 and requests that members send their annual dues of $11.00 to her as soon as possible. Awards are available to Auxiliaries who reach 100% paid-up membership by Sept. Your check may be mailed to Elaine at P O Box 474, Pittsfield, ME 04967. It was voted at this meeting to ask each member to donate $10.00 known as the Spring Waterless Project. This has been in effect since the Auxiliary decided not to have the Spring Water Sale at the Egg Festival, because the proceeds received were very small. The members felt it would not be worth the time and effort involved. This may be sent to Elaine as well.

Incoming President Shaw will announce her Committee Chairman at the next regular meeting in July.

Delegate to the National Convention to be held in Kansas City August 18-23 is Ruth Walker with Elaine Taylor as Alternate.

Ruth Walker was appointed to act as representative of the Auxiliary on the Central Maine Egg Festival Committee . The Festival will be held on July 23-28.

It was reported that the Department Convention will be held in Presque Isle on June 8-10. All meetings and banquet will be held at the Presque Isle Inn and Convention Center (Department Headquarters).

"The Flag, which we honor and under which we serve, is the emblem of our unity, our power, our thought and purpose as a nation. It has no other character than that which we give it from generation to generation. The choices are ours. It floats in majestic silence above the hosts that execute those choices, whether in peace or in war. And yet, though silent, it speaks to us -speaks to us of the past of the men and women who went before us, and of the records they wrote upon it..." This quote from President Wilson is as true today as it was in 1917.

The Lee-Doncet Veterans of Foreign Wars #9955 and its Auxiliary would like to share with you a bit of history of our flag and the Etiquette of the Stars and Stripes, which is contained in a booklet of the same name and may be obtained by contacting a member of the Post or Auxiliary. These same members would be pleased to assist school classes or organizations in learning more about the flag, how to fold it, display it and respect it.

Our flag is known by many names, such as Old Glory and the Stars and Stripes. It has been a leader throughout our history. On April 6, 1909, Admiral Robert E. Peary planted the flag on the North Pole. On November 29, 1929, U. S. Explorer Richard E. Byrd flew over the South Pole, where he dropped the American Flag. The first ship to cross the North Pole under the Arctic ice pack was the U. S. Nuclear-powered submarine Nautilus, where the flag was honored in a ceremony under the ice. On July 20, 1969, the flag of the United States truly entered the space age when two American astronauts planted it on the surface of the moon. Our flag has been there in every important moment in our country's history.

Our nation's defenders have carried the flag in many battles, from the time Washington crossed the Delaware, to the very present time in Iraq. The flag is an emblem of freedom, liberty, and the American way of life, representing our Constitution, our Government, and our Laws and Ideals.

The flag was the emblem of our country 37 years before Francis Scott Key composed the "Star Spangled Banner" and 154 years before Congress adopted that song as our National Anthem.

Public Law #344, passed by the 94th Congress is known as the Federal Flag Code and is the guide for handling and display of the United States Flag. Copies of the Federal Flag Code may be obtained from the Americanism Department, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Broadway at 34th, Kansas City, MO 64111

With this in mind, Lee-Doncet Veterans of Foreign Wars #9955 and its Auxiliary would like to point out a few basic rules of flag etiquette.

• Do stand at attention while reciting the Pledge of Allegiance with the right hand over the heart
• Do salute the flag as it passes in a parade or review
• Do stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart during the playing of the National Anthem
• Don't let the flag touch the ground.
• Don't dip the flag in salute
• Don't use the flag as a garment.
• Don't destroy the flag in public
• Don't fly the flag at night unless properly illuminated
• Don't fly the flag in bad weather unless it is an all-weather flag
• Don't fly the flag at half-staff - in mourning - except dawn to noon on Memorial Day or by proclamation of the President
• Don't use the flag as a ceiling cover or table cover.