American Heritage Citizenship in the Nation

Combined Merit BadgeSeminar and Study on Good Citizenship

Grant GraessleCharter Organization Representative, Troop & Pack 1203

E-mail: stewfoot@verizon.netPhone: (301) 866-9776

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Citizenship in the Nation Badge

American Heritage

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National Anthem

• Original poem written by Francis Scott Key after the bombardment of Fort McHenry on the morning of September 14th, 1814.

– Poem set to a popular pub drinking song: "To Anacreon in Heaven“

• Before 1931, No official National Anthem. – Other songs served as unofficial national anthem– "Hail, Columbia“ – "My Country, 'Tis of Thee“

• The Star-Spangled Banner" was recognized for official use by the Navy in 1889

– Used by President Woodrow Wilson in 1916– Made the national anthem by a congressional resolution on March 3, 1931, signed

by President Herbert Hoover.

• We only sing the first stanza. – Ends with a questions that we all and each must answer.– Jimi Hendrix rendition at Woodstock in 1969

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Pledge of Allegiance

• No pledge of Allegiance until 1942– Not even after Civil War!

• Originally composed by Francis Bellamy in 1892

• Formally adopted by Congress as the pledge in 1942

• The Pledge has been modified four times since its composition

– In 1923, the National Flag Conference called for the words "my Flag" to be changed to "the Flag of the United States", so that new immigrants would not confuse loyalties between their birth countries and the United States

– In 1924, the words "of America" were added a year later

– In 1942, Congress officially recognized the Pledge for the first time after adding “One Nation, Indivisible,”

– Congress passed the necessary legislation and Eisenhower signed the bill into law on Flag Day, June 14, 1954 to add the words “Under God.”

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Grant Graessle

Eagle Scout 1979National Jamboree 1981 2013

Education

BA , USC 1987; MA, University of Phoenix 1999; MA, Naval War College 2007

Wood Badge Course, NCAC Spring 2013

Navy ReserveRetired CDR, December 2009Deployed to Iraq (among other places)

Work for Naval Air Systems Command Cost Analyst 17 years

Other interesting jobs include U.S. House of Representatives, Newport News Shipbuilding, U.S. Navy Supply Officer

Graessle family circus includes wife, 3 kids (two adopted from Kazakhstan), homeschoolers

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How Class Will Work

• Two merit badges are intertwined and complement each other very well

• Each session:– Listen to some music– Talk a little history– Talk a little civics– Listen to some more music– Take a break.

• During Break– Use time to go to the bathroom, stretch and…– Fill out the worksheets.

• Blue Cards? Work sheets?

• If you participate, ask questions, talk about your understanding of citizenship. You will fulfill all requirements EXCEPT Citizenship in the Nation 2b and 2c (visit our Capitol and a federal facility).

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Who is the VFW?

• The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW) is a congressionally chartered (Title 36 USC Chapter 2301) war veterans Congressionally chartered organization.

• The VFW name was created on September 17, 1914. The new organization was a merger of two prior veterans organizations, both beginning in 1899: the American Veterans of Foreign Service and the National Society of the Army of the Philippines. The former was formed for veterans of the Spanish–American War, while the latter was formed for veterans of the Philippine–American War.

• On May 28, 1936, by an act of the United States Congress, the VFW became a government-chartered non-profit organization. As such, it receives no funding from United States tax receipts and is supported by charitable donations.

• Membership requirements:– Members must be a U.S. citizen or national with an honorable discharge from the U.S.

military, or currently serving in the United States Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, or Coast Guard. (i.e. Veteran)

– Military service overseas during an operation or conflict (i.e. Foreign War)

• Lobby Congress for better veterans' health care and benefits. Assist Veterans in obtaining benefits. Donates time and money to assist veterans (Scouting for Food provides basic food baskets for veterans’ families during holiday season).

What does Citizenship mean to you?Veterans Panel

What is in the news today?

Declaration of IndependenceVideo

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Bill of Rights (First Ten Amendments)Four Important Amendments

Amendment I Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof (Freedom of Religion)or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Amendment IIA well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

Amendment IVThe right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Amendment VNo person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

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Bill of Rights (First Ten Amendments)the Rest of the Amendments

Amendment IIINo quartering of troops

Amendment VIRights of accused: Speedy Trail, impartial jury of peers, confronted by witnesses, assistance for counsel and advice. Source of Miranda Rights.

Amendment VIIRules of Common Law

Amendment VIIINo excessive bails or fines, no cruel and unusual punishment

Amendment IXRights retained by the people. Just because the Constitution doesn’t say it, doesn’t mean its not a right.

Amendment XPowers reserved by States and People. If it is not spelled out in the Constitution, then it is for the state to decide (i.e. education? Library?)

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Amendments XI through XXVIIFour important (sets) amendments

Amendment XIIIAbolish slavery… except….

But NO means NO!

Amendment XIV Who is a citizen? Anyone born in the United States or naturalized through lawStates cannot abridge the rights of any citizen: States must obey Bill of Rights.Redefinition of apportionment: Slavery no longer exists. The 5/8 rule no longer applies.Risk of rebellion: If you are part of a rebellion and lose your cause, you may lose some of your rightsConfederate debt is void (Good and bad)

Amendments XV, XIX, XXIV, XXVIAny male, over 21 no matter race/creed or color, does not need to own property…..Make that anybody, male or female….We really mean it. No monkey business (No Poll Tax)Make that anyone over 18

Amendment XVIII and XXIProhibition: No Alcohol! None! Never mind

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The Rest of the Amendments

Amendment XIPower and jurisdiction of courts

Amendment XIITies the Pres and VP together as running matesResolves problems seen with Adams/Jefferson and Jefferson/Burr

Amendment XVIIncome Tax

Amendment XVIIDirect election of Senators

Amendment XXWhen does the President take office and when does the congressional session startWhat if the president –elect has died before he is sworn in?What if the Speaker of the House has died?

Amendment XXIITwo terms. Only two, only two

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The Rest of the Amendments(almost done!)

Amendment XXIII

DC gets the vote

Amendment XXVPresidential succession, What happens if the President dies?

Presidential Succession Act

Presidential succession numbers

Amendment XXVII

Congress cannot vote itself a raise… Sort of.

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Timeline to Changes

Amendments I –X:The Bill of Rights Ratified with the Constitution

Amendment XI: 1798Amendment XII: 1804

Resolving problems between Pres and Vice Pres.

Amendment XIII- XV: 1865-1870Result of the Civil War. Everyone will be free and Everyone (male) will be a citizen

Amendment XVI: 1904United States had a deficit and needed to raise money

Amendment XVII: 1913Result of some problems with ‘Tammany Hall’

Amendment XVIII and XIX: 1919/1920Women Suffrage and Prohibition were tied together

Amendment XX: 1933Result as a change in technology

Amendment XXI: 1933Leaders of Prohibition had died

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Timeline to Changes

Amendment XXII: 1953No more “President for Life”

Amendment XXIII: 1961Amendment XXIV: 1964

More removing restrictions to vote

Amendment XXV: 1967Kennedy had been assassinatedRecognized that several presidents had truly been too sick to govern. VP should have stepped upBecause of this: Ford became President

Amendment XXVI: 1971Just after an American Cultural Revolution

Amendment XXVII: 1992First submitted in 1798

Amendment XXVIII?

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Three Ways to Vote!

VOTE! Vote on Election Day

Write Senator or RepresentativePersonal noteThink about what you are going to say. Thought out argumentThey read and will respond

Who are our Congressmen?Senator Ben CardinSenator Barbara MulkuskiRepresentative Steny Hoyer

Belong and participate in special interest groupExamples include: VFW, Friends of Library, Friends of National ParkThey bring common interest together. Making a cacophony of many voices into oneThey bring pressure on congress

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Motto and Seal

Motto: E PLURIBUS UNUM (Out of many… One)Had been adopted by an Act of Congress in 1782 as acted as the motto for the Seal of the United States

No official Motto until 1956

Dwight D. Eisenhower changed to IN GOD WE TRUST by law.

SealOn July 4, 1776, the same day that independence from Great Britain was declared by the thirteen states, the Continental Congress named the first committee to design a Great Seal, or national emblem, for the country. Similar to other nations, The United States needed an official symbol of sovereignty to formalize and seal (or sign) international treaties and transactions. It took six years, three committees, and the contributions of fourteen men before the Congress finally accepted a design (which included elements proposed by each of the three committees) in 1782.[10]

Annuit cœptis: "He approves of the undertakings“Novus ordo seclorum: "New Order of the Ages"

Obverse Reverse

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Three Ring CircusVideo

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U.S. Constitution

PREAMBLE

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

OrganizationPreambleArticle I : Legislative Branch. Duties, Power and responsibilities of House of Representatives.Article II: Executive Branch: Duties and responsibilities of the President and Vice PresidentArticle III: Judicial Branch: Duties and responsibilities of the Supreme Court. Limitations on lower courtsArticle IV: Relationship of each state to the Union, each citizen, admission of new statesArticle V: Changing the ConstitutionArticle VI: Relationship to the Articles of ConfederationArticle VII: Process to ratify the Constitution

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U.S. ConstitutionDuties of Government

Article I, Section 8: Duties and responsibilities of GovernmentThe Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common

Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;To borrow Money on the credit of the United States;To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes; (Regulate International Commerce)To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uniform Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the United States; (Who becomes a citizen and how) To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures;To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting the Securities and current Coin of the United States;To establish Post Offices and post Roads;To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their

respective Writings and Discoveries; (Copyright, trademark and Patent laws)To constitute Tribunals inferior to the supreme Court;To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and Offences against the Law of Nations;To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years;To provide and maintain a Navy;To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces;To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions;To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the Militia, and for governing such Part of them as may be employed in the

Service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress;

To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, by Cession of particular States, and the Acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of the Government of the United States, and to exercise like Authority over all Places purchased by the Consent of the Legislature of the State in which the Same shall be, for the Erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards, and other needful Buildings;--And

To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.

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U.S. ConstitutionSome Other Highlights

Article III: Duties of Supreme Court of the United States Only duty spelled out is to establish and manage the inferior courtsDecide what is or is not constitutional derived from multiple SCotUS decisions

Article IV:State Records: Full faith Every State will honor and respect all other state’s recordsEvery State will honor and respect the privileges and immunities of its citizensNew States? Congress gets to decide

Article VISupremacy of US ConstitutionOath to support and uphold the ConstitutionNo religious test to hold office (See Amendment I: Freedom of Religion)

What is not here?

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Speech of historical importance

Emancipation ProclamationTakes effect 1 Jan 1863Tide of war still hangs in balance

Gettysburg fought 1/2/3 July 1863Vicksburg Campaign doesn’t start until May 1863Union coming off several losses including Chancellorsville and Fredericksburg

Only frees slaves in territories that are in rebellion and occupied

Does not free slaves in Border States such as Delaware, Maryland, Kentucky and newly formed West Virginia

Amendment XIII won’t be ratified until 1865

Principles of War call for a direct, clear military objective. Emancipation Proclamation provides a clear, direct military objective

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Flag Code and History

Prior to 1777: No official flag

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Flag Code and History

June 14, 1777 Continental Congress passed the first Flag Act

"Resolved, That the flag of the United States be made of thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new Constellation."

Oral tradition disagrees on what first flag looked like

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Flag and History

Act of January 13, 1794 - provided for 15 stripes and 15 stars after May 1795.

Act of April 4, 1818 - provided for 13 stripes and one star for each state, to be added to the flag on the 4th of July following the admission of each new state, signed by President Monroe.

Executive Order of President Taft dated June 24, 1912 - established proportions of the flag and provided for arrangement of the stars in six horizontal rows of eight each, a single point of each star to be upward.

Executive Order of President Eisenhower dated January 3, 1959 - provided for the arrangement of the stars in seven rows of seven stars each, staggered horizontally and vertically.

Executive Order of President Eisenhower dated August 21, 1959 - provided for the arrangement of the stars in nine rows of stars staggered horizontally and eleven rows of stars staggered vertically.

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American Heritage

And Citizenship in the Nation Badge

Questions?

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SyllabusSession 1OpeningPledge of Allegiance (PoA)Jimi Hendreix “Star Spangled Banner”Discussion of PoA and National Anthem Welcome/ Purpose/Merit badgesBlue Cards/what requirements we will complete/ how we will conduct

courseWho are the VFW?Discussion with fellow veteransRoles and responsibilities of Citizenship News ItemsDeclaration of Independence VideoDiscussBattle of N.O Second War of Independence/Relation to southern MarylandBattle on Patuxent River/ Landing at Benedict/ Aug-Sept timeframeMyth: War was over and treaty had been signedTruth: Brits put in a clause that said “any battle fought would be treated as

part of war. War was not over until Senate ratified treaty has had been agreed upon.”

Recap/completedAmerican Heritage 1, 2b, 2c, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4bCit in Nation: 1, 3, 4b, 6Break

Session 2Song: John Henry DiscussRead first 4 AmendmentsDiscuss 5 points of 1st AmendmentDiscuss 2 points of 2nd AmendmentDiscuss 14th AmendmentHighlights of 3rd through 10th AmendmentsHistory of Seal of United States/ History of the MottoThree ways to voteVOTEWrite congressmanParticipate in special interest groupExample: VFW, Friends of Library, Friends of National ParkMusic: Marching through GeorgiaRecap/completedCit in Nation: 3, 4, 5 and 7Break. Lunch?

Session 3Song: Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy DiscussThree Ring circus VideoDiscuss nature of three parts of governmentConstitution ArticlesDiscuss Article I, Section 4; duties and responsibilities of

governmentDiscuss Article 8Amendments 11 through 27 (14th already discussed)Historical timeline groupingAmerican Flag historyWhere have you visited? Song: Route 66Requirements discussed:

American Heritage: 4a, 4d, 5cCit in Nation: 4b, 4c, 4d, 5, 6

Discuss field trip.Send on way!