Colonial Flag Foundation - Milestones of Freedom Civic Educational Americanisim Program

Introduction
Each year, the Colonial Flag Foundation provides support and guidance to hundreds of organizations across the nation and the globe that have chosen to exhibit their patriotism and increase awareness for a multitude of social issues by presenting one of our programs. All programs encourage local volunteerism and service. Volunteerism is a key component to facilitating the programs and achieving the objective of promoting collective activism and the unification of whole communities. The number of people participating in and experiencing a Healing Field alone is often in the tens of thousands. A Healing Field is a temporary display of flags, each flag representing a person or issue or a collective of the display that celebrates and honors. The thematic possibilities for a Healing Field is endless and they have been used to promote healing after a local or national disaster, honor military and first responders, and raise awareness for important social issues like: human rights, hunger, disease, literacy, domestic violence and child abuse. With the help of our experienced staff each community customizes the program to meet the specific needs in their area. Recently, the scope and reach of the Foundation has grown to include the Milestones of Freedom: Many Nations, One America program. The purpose of this program is to enhance civic learning in schools nationwide and to promote patriotic education at Healing Field events.

Milestones of Freedom: Many Nations, One America Program
The Colonial Flag Foundation, in collaboration with the Roots of Freedom Foundation, has developed a program to promote patriotism and enhance civic learning in America. The program consists of two components, a Field component and an Educational Outreach component. The goals of the program are to:

Typically, an add-on feature to a Healing Field event, the Milestones of Freedom program is an interactive experience that greatly increases the educational value of any Field. In addition to experiencing the wide array of emotions evoked by walking amongst the patriotic display of American flags, participants are inspired to learn about the history of freedom in this country. There is an informational kiosk where guests can enjoy a presentation and watch video clips about the founding principles, citizenship, and interviews with immigrants who came to Ellis Island and later became American citizens. Visitors may elect to purchase a keepsake quality passport ($3) that they carry with them through the field. Milestones are set up in a star-shaped pattern and consist of signage displaying important historical facts, artwork and documents. Participants are asked to make a citizenship requirement at each Milestone and their passports are initialed by a program official (volunteer). The experience is concluded with the administration of the Oath of Citizenship to those who have completed all of the commitments. The mock Oath gives all visitors the opportunity to experience what the founders and immigrants who built this great nation went through. Visitors are reminded of their rights and responsibilities as American citizens and are asked to keep their citizenship commitments by becoming life-long advocates for freedom and patriotism.

This program offers an in-school presentation for students in grades 4-6, that includes information on key figures and historical documents, citizenship requirements and the rights and responsibilities associated with being a citizen. Most importantly, it conveys the message that all students can and should become active American citizens. The program consists of an introductory assembly, an interactive activity where students collect signatures on keepsake-quality passports, citizenship lessons and tests, and an assembly where the Oath of Citizenship is administered to students. Students and parent volunteers are actively engaged throughout the program. Upon its completion, participants more committed to understanding their roles as American citizens and are inspired to become lifelong advocates of freedom and patriotism.

Schools are charged the nominal fee of $500.00 to cover the cost of materials for 500 students. The remainder of the program (valued at $2,000.00) is supplied by the Colonial Flag Foundation through grants and the generosity of private donors and corporate sponsors.

For more information regarding the Milestones of Freedom: Many Nations, One America program or to express your interest in hosting or sponsoring an event, please contact, Colonial Flag Foundation at (866)375-3524 or info@healingfield.org