Page 31 - AL POST 390 OFFICER'S GUIDE AND MANUAL OF CEREMONIES - 2020

to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursing invariably the
same object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to
throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security. Such has been the patient
sufferance of these colonies; and such is now the necessity, which constrains them to alter their former
systems of government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and
usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny over the states. To prove
this, let facts be submitted to a candid world.
"We, therefore, the representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, assembled,
appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name, and
by the authority of the good people of these colonies, solemnly publish and declare, that these united
colonies are, and of right ought to be free and independent states; that they are absolved from all
allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the state of Great
Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as free and independent states, they have full power to
levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and to do all other acts and things which
independent states may of right do. And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the
protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred
honor.,,

Commander: "This declaration was followed by years of struggles. There from our nation was born, and on
September 17,1787, it adopted the Constitution, the charter of our rights and liberties, whose preamble I
now request our second vice commander to read."

Second vice commander: "We, the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union,
establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, 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."
Commander: "This government guaranteed by these great documents has been preserved to the present
day. We now pay tribute to those who fought for its establishment and preservation. The same spirit, which
animated them, promoted the heroes of the World War of 1917 and 1918 to fight to preserve the freedom
of civilization of the world. Out of that struggle grewThe American Legion, whose preamble I now request
the chaplain to read."
Chaplain: "For God and country, we associate ourselves together for the following purposes: to uphold
and defend the Constitution of the United States of America: to maintain law and order; to foster
and perpetuate a one hundred percent Americanism; to preserve the memories and incidents of our
associations in the Great Wars;

to inculcate a sense of individual obligation to the community, state and nation; to combat the autocracy
of both the classes and the masses; to make right the master of might; to promote peace and good will
on earth; to safeguard and transmit to posterity the principles of justice, freedom and democracy; to
consecrate and sanctify our comradeship by our devotion to mutual helpfulness."
The commander will introduce the speaker of the day. The post may invite children in patriotic dress to sing
``America," "Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean," or other patriotic music at this point.

Chaplain: "Let us stand in silence in memory and jn honor of the soldiers of the Revolutionary War and
those after them who have fought that liberty might endure."

Sing ''The Star-Spangled Banner." The post files out and is dismissed.

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