Committees

Final Respects

When a member of the American Legion passes away, the members of Balfour-Cole Post gather to honor our departed comrade and perform a ritual in the presence of his or her family, concluding with a final salute, the playing of ”Taps” and presentation of a bible to our comrade’s family.

Memorial Day

For veterans, there is perhaps no more important holiday on our calendar than Memorial Day, the day on which we honor our comrades who have made the ultimate sacrifice and given their lives in service to the country we, and they, served. To do this, in conjunction with the local Veterans of Foreign Wars post 2929, Balfour-Cole Post 64 conducts Memorial Day ceremony at the Veterans Memorial in Deerfield Park. We encourage all local residents, particularly families with children, to take a few minute of their holiday to join us and remember those who can no longer celebrate holidays.

Flag Etiquette

Members of the American Legion believe that, as the most visible symbol of our country, the American flag deserves to honored and respected. To further that belief, we have instituted an annual program in which we visit each grammar school in our community, discussing the American flag, its history, what it represents and how it should be respected and honored. We teach the students how to properly fold the flag, and how to “retire” old flags. We encourage the students to bring this information home and discuss it with their parents, siblings and neighbors.

Oratorical Contest

The American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship Program teaches appreciation of the U.S. Constitution. Finalists come to Indianapolis in April of each year to compete for $138,000 in college scholarship. Balfour-Cole Post 64 encourages local high school students to prepare and compete in the Rhode Island preliminary to this nation contest.

In recent years, Balfour-Cole has sponsored an annual oratorical contest at the Gallagher Middle School, with the theme of “what Memorial Day means to me.” With cooperation and encouragement of the faculty and stall at the middle school, our goal is to make the students aware of the meaning of Memorial Day learn the history of it, and try  to find any family connection they may have to our country’s many war dead. The annual winner of this contest in invited to speak at our annual Memorial Day ceremony, and winners are rewarded with scholarship money.

Boys State / Girls state

American Legion Boys State and Girls State are among the most respected and selective educational programs of government instruction for U.S. high school students. Since 1935, participants have learned the rights, privileges and responsibilities of franchised citizens. The training is objective and centers on the structure of city, country and state governments. Operated by students elected to various offices, activities include legislative sessions, court proceeding, law-enforcement presentations, assemblies, bands and recreational programs. Two attendees at each Boys State and Girls State may be selected to attend Boys Nation or Girls Nation, in Washington, DC, for a more intensive program.

In June of each year, the Rhode Island Boys State and Girls State programs is held. Legion post throughout Rhode Island will select high school juniors to attend the program. In most cases individual expenses are paid by a sponsoring post of a local business. There is little, or no, cost to the attendees.

Balfour-Cole Post welcomes the opportunity of having one, or more, students from Smithfield, Johnston or North Providence participate in these very worthwhile programs. The guideline or applicants include:

• Only those who have completed their junior year of high school and who have at least one remaining semester are eligible;
• Previous participants of a Boys State or Girls State competition are not allowed to attend a second session;
• Only those who demonstrate leadership, character, loyalty and service in their schools are community are considered;
• Merit and ability are the basis for evaluation during the selection process;
• The selection process follows recommended students being interviewed in our local Post.

As veterans we believe this program can greatly enhance a student’s understanding how our government works, and everyone in society benefits from that knowledge.

Graves Registration, Veterans and War Memorials

“To be killed in war is not the worst that can happen. To be lost is not the worst that can happen… to be forgotten is the worst.” – Pierre Claeysens [1909-2003]

To Remember, Honor and Teach.

On Veterans Day in the fall and Memorial Day in the spring, we replace wreaths at our eleven war monuments throughout town. At cemetery #45 we replace all Memorial Day Veterans flags.

In the past two years we have worked closely with BSA Troop 1 Smithfied / Georgiaville and Troop 1 Greenville in the placement of wreaths and flags. This includes conducting the American flag retirement ceremony.

Veterans Day Recognition

Coordinate with Assisted Living Communities at Brookdale and Hebert’s Nursing Home,  in presenting resident veterans certificates of appreciation.

VA Hospital Volunteer

Volunteers are an integral part of the VA’s quality care for American’s Heroes.

Our members visit, give cheer and support at the hospital.

Blood Donor

Support the blood bank by giving blood.

ROTC

We are a strong supporter of the Reserve Officer Training Corps [ROTC] programs. We attend graduations and present awards.

Legion Baseball

American Legion Baseball was founded in 1925 and has taught hundreds of thousands of young Americans the importance of sportsmanship, good health and citizenship.

We charter, Smithfield Post 64 Jr. Legion Team.

Supporting 15-20 youth age 15 – 19.

www.leageez.com/legue/rialbl/Team/2693/smithfield-post-64-jr

Boy Scouts of America

Boy Scouts of America was chartered by Congress on June 15, 1916.

The American Legion’s support for the Boy Scouts began at their first convention in 1919.

The American Legion honors the Eagle Scout of the Year at the national convention with a $10,000 scholarship. The three runners-up get $2,500.

Members of Balfour-Cole attend local Eagle Scout Ceremonies and present certificates.

Scouting Movement is a movement that aims to support young people in their physical, mental and spiritual development, that they may play constructive roles in society.

We Charter Boy Scouts Troop 1 Smithfield /Georgiaville

Troop one Georgiaville meets every Thursday from 7-8:30 PM in Smithfield. Boy scouting is for boys age 11-17, and is a community-oriented program that instills values such as citizenship, teamwork, honesty, respect, responsibility and fitness, while being a lot of fun!

We want the boys to have a great time, while teaching them these values. We also believe that an important part of scouting is giving back to the community, through community service projects and pride in America.