According to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Loyalty Day originally began as “Americanization Day” in 1921 as a counter to the Communist May 1 celebration of the Russian Revolution. On May 1, 1930, 10,000 VFW members staged a rally at New York’s Union Square to promote patriotism. Through a resolution adopted in 1949, May 1 evolved into Loyalty Day. Observances began in 1950 on April 28 and climaxed May 1 when more than five million people across the nation held rallies. In New York City, more than 100,000 people rallied for America. In 1958 Congress enacted Public Law 529 proclaiming Loyalty Day a permanent fixture on the nation’s calendar.
The VFW Ladies Auxiliary stated, “We realize that our freedom is truly unique, and that is why we take pride in it.”
Woodrow Wilson said, “America was established not to create wealth but to realize a vision, to realize an ideal—to discover and maintain liberty among men.” America was built on that ideal, and we have maintained it for over two centuries.
This land is “the land of the free” because of the many freedoms we enjoy—the freedom of religion, of speech, of assembly—but what it all comes down to is that we have the freedom of choice.
We have the choice to receive higher education or to begin a career. We have the choice to adopt two children or bear 10 children. We have the choice to rally for another form of government or to demonstrate our pride in a democratic nation.
The purpose of Loyalty Day is to demonstrate our patriotism, our support for our unique tradition of freedom. Showing pride in America can be shown throughout the year.
The VFW reminds everyone that Sunday, May 7, is the 53rd Loyalty Day parade. Military units such as VFW Posts & American Legion Posts, VFW Post 648 Buddy Poppy Princess and Buddy Poppy King, American Legion Unit 31 Poppy Princess, high school bands, fire departments, Smokey Bear, Santa Claus, Cairo Temple with all its units, old cars, trucks, tractors, motor cycles, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, local representatives, radio stations, and more.
Sam Gorruso from Sam’s Good News will be on hand as emcee.
To join the Loyalty Day Parade, RSVP by April 10 to Ron Fairbanks at 802-775-0452, for a form.
