Americanism & Government
The American Legion is an organization dedicated to God and country, with a membership of military veterans who take deep pride in the U.S. Flag and all that it means. Since its inception over 100 years ago, the Legion has been a stalwart champion of patriotic values, morals, culture and citizenship. The Legion’s pillar of Americanism embodies its devotion to law and order, the raising of wholesome youth, educated and law-abiding citizenship, and respectful observance of patriotic holidays and remembrances.
Americanism & Government Test and Trip Program
60th Year of Operation
The Americanism and Government Test and Trip program of the Ohio American Legion was created by Legionnaires of Ohio in 1936 and remains today as another of the leading youth programs of the Ohio American Legion.
Although created by the Ohio American Legion, the Americanism and Government Test program is a joint venture and partnership with the Ohio American Legion Auxiliary, which is a cosponsor of the program.
Read More ...
Although created by the Ohio American Legion, the Americanism and Government Test program is a joint venture and partnership with the Ohio American Legion Auxiliary, which is a cosponsor of the program.
The Americanism and Government Test program is open to students in grades 10, 11, and 12. Students in grade 9 may take the test for practice only.
The Americanism and Government Test is a fifty (50) question test comprised of True/False, multiple choice, and fill-in the blank.
A three hundred (300) word essay is also part of the Americanism and Government Test and every student taking the test writes on the same essay topic.
The essay is utilized in the various judging levels of this program as a Tie-breaker.
The essay topic is selected/written each year by members of the Department Americanism Committee and Department Americanism Director.
A feature of the Americanism and Government Test is that the students themselves do not advance in the competition, the student’s test paper does.
The Americanism and Government test is NOT designed to have one student compete against another. It is designed to test an individual student’s knowledge of the following:
The United States Flag The Declaration of Independence The United States Constitution State government in Ohio County government in Ohio City government in Ohio Township government in Ohio Village government in Ohio School District government in Ohio
The 50 questions of the Americanism and Government Test are written in such a manner to be current and topical to events, studies, and information being presented in Ohio high schools and events happening in the state of Ohio and the nation.
On average, over 65,000 students participate in the Test program annually.
Through a number of judging levels in the state of Ohio to select Post, County, and District winners, the initial field of 65,000 students is narrowed to 84 district winners, whose winning test papers are submitted to a State Judging Committee for this program.
From the field of 84 District winners, the State Judging Committee typically selects 18 winners in the following categories:
- Grade 12 (Seniors): Six (6) State winners/three (3) men and three (3) women
- Grade 11 (Juniors): Six (6) State winners/three (3) men and three (3) women
- Grade 10 (Sophomores): Six (6) State winners/three (3) men and three (3) women
The State Award from the Ohio American Legion for the 18 State winners is a five (5) day, all expenses paid trip to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania and Washington D.C. under the direction of the Department Americanism Director, accompanied by representatives of the Ohio American Legion and Ohio American Legion Auxiliary.
A highlight of the trip is a Wreath Laying at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery.
The Ohio American Legion and Ohio American Legion Auxiliary have had the honor of laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns every year since 1936.
An objective of the Ohio American Legion through the Americanism and Government test program is that if by taking the test a young person is inspired to learn more about government, the United States, and to appreciate the freedoms enjoyed by the nation’s citizens, the effort put forth by the Ohio American Legion and the Ohio American Legion Auxiliary is worth the expense.
The Americanism and Government Test and Trip program is unique to the national America Legion organization as only two other states, Indiana and Wisconsin, have versions of the program, which both adopted/adapted from the Ohio American Legion, but neither program is the size or scope of the Ohio program.
Future Leaders Return from Washington D.C
The 2026 Americanism and Government Trip has returned from Washington D.C. and yet again, was a huge success. 17 of the top scoring winners of the annual A&G test were selected for this trip to Gettysburg and Washington DC. This year’s young leaders were…
Read More ...
-
-
- Alex Moyer- Post 405 District 5
- Eli Dirksen- Post 435 District 3
- Sophia Goodson- Post 373 District 1
- Angela Figueroa- Post 405 District 5
- Madelyn Manley- Post 196 District 13
- Mohamed Katabay- Post 614 District 12
- David Taylor- Post 80 District 3
- Craig Greer- Post 459 District 9
- Jessica Fike- Post 134 District 7
- Livia Martini- Post 193 District 14
- Heidi Woods- Post 648 District 2
- Aiden Adams- Post 80 District 3
- Joshua Bowden- Post 717 District 5
- Max Washington- Post 801 District 14
- Brooke Voress- Post 217 District 2
- Sonya Sawtelle- Post 506 District 9
- Emmalee Carter- Post 217 District 2
-
The Ohio American Legion A&G trip is not like the typical 8th-grade trip most Ohio teens experience. We have a smaller group of students and focus on history, Americanism, and respect for the men and women who have given their lives for our freedom.
Day to day highlights of the trip:
Day 1
3/2/2026 8:13am
Good morning Legionnaires, ladies and gentlemen!
This morning we kick off our 2026 Americanism and Government trip!
Chaperones for the trip are Department 1st Vice Commander Gary Cox Jr., Auxiliary 1st Vice President Mindi Rue, Melissa Boyers, Jason Ward, Department Americanism and Children & Youth Coordinator Christie White and Department VBA Coordinator William Genochio.
Stay tuned and see what our young leaders are getting into this week!
Prayers for safe travels and fun adventures.
1st stop- Gettysburg!
…
3/2/2026 11pm
Our Young Leaders have made it safely to their home for the week.
Today they visited Gettysburg, and were hosted by Gettysburg American Legion Post 202 for dinner.
Tomorrow is our most important day….. laying the wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. Our wreath security and wreath layers have been selected.
We will go live at 11:15am for those that want to watch our young leaders and officers honor the brave veterans buried beneath the tomb on behalf of The American Legion Department of Ohio.
Lots of fun planned for tomorrow. Stay tuned!
…
Day 2
3/3/2026 8:27am
Good Morning Legionnaires, ladies and gentlemen! Our young leaders are heading to Arlington!!!!
We will be live at 11:15am.
See you soon.
…
3/3/2026 11am
Our wreath security this year is David Taylor- Post 613 District 3 and Heidi Woods Post 217 District 2
T-Minus 30 minutes
Our 2026 American Legion Wreath Laying by Aiden Adams Post 80 District 3 and Madelyn Manley Post 196 District 13, along with Department 1st Vice Commander Gary Cox and Department Auxiliary President Mindi Rue.
…
3/3/2026 11:53pm
Our young leaders had a looooong day today!
We started out at the Iwo Jima Memorial followed by the Air Force Memorial. Then we made a quick stop to visit our friend Einstein before heading off the Arlington National Cemetery. After our wreath laying, we made our way to the Capitol where we were given a tour by interns from Representative Brown and Landsman’s office. Made a quick stop for lunch and immediately went to the National Archives, Navy Memorial, Eisenhower Memorial and National American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial.
For dinner, we were joined by some of the Ohio delegation that were in town for Washington Conference. The American Legion Department of DC Family provided dinner for our Young Leaders, and we are so grateful for their hospitality.
Today’s teachers were Angela, Aiden, Livia, Joshua, and Madelyn.
Stay tuned for tomorrow’s adventures!!!
…
Day 3
3/4/2026 8:47am
Good Morning Legionnaires, ladies and gentlemen! Today, our young leaders are out and about already. 1st stop, George Washington’s Mt. Vernon.
We also want to send out a very special thank you to Auxiliary Unit 518 for making our wreath for Arlington. You made Ohio and our Veterans very proud.
Follow us on our adventures today!
…
3/4/2026 9:56pm
Day 3 is a wrap! Our young leaders started out at George Washington’s Mt. Vernon for the morning. After visiting POTUS 1’s estate, they headed to the Washington National Cathedral and learned that the American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary had a stained glass window there. We made a quick trip the see the White House, even though the barricades were moved back farther than normal. Then they visited the Smithsonian American History Museum, WWI Memorial, FDR, MLK, and Jefferson Memorial (aka TJ’s House). We wrapped up the night with dinner hosted by Post 177 in Fairfax.
Today’s teachers were Eli, Mohamed, and Jessica. We had to move some things around today, but we will be sure to check them out tomorrow.
Stay tuned! One more full day in DC tomorrow.
…
3/4/2026 10:03pm
Bonus clip…. Auxiliary 1st Vice President Mindi had the most beautiful idea with our young leaders at the Jefferson Memorial….. enjoy https://www.facebook.com/reel/1408392297975887
…
Day 4
3/5/2026 8:13am
Good Morning Legionnaires, ladies and gentlemen! It is day 4 for our young leaders! 1st stop today is the Marine Corps Museum!
Our young ladies got to enjoy their “starbies” this morning while the young men made sure the water was refilled on the bus. Thank you young men!
…
3/5/2026 11:59pm
Our young leaders had a very productive last full day in DC. They started out the the Marine Corps Museum, followed by the U.S. Army Museum and National Law Enforcement Memorial and Museum. We made sure to get our steps in by visiting the Vietnam, Lincoln, Korean, WWI, and Washington Monuments. Dinner was delicious at the Hard Rock Cafe, and we ended the night visiting the Pentagon Memorial.
Today’s teachers were Craig, Max, Heidi, David, Brooke, Emmalee, Sophia, and Alex.
We will be traveling home in the morning, but stopping at Flight 93 first.
Stay tuned for our last adventure.
…
Day 5
3/6/2026 9:23am
For the final time- Good Morning Legionnaires, ladies and gentlemen!
Our young leaders have loaded the bus and we are headed home. But first, Flight 93.
For the last time, stay tuned.
Pray for a quick and safe drive home.
See you soon Ohio!
…
3/6/2026 2:30pm
Well, our young leaders had their last stop at Flight 93! They learned all about what happened that day on 9-11, as well as heard stories from all the chaperones about where we were when we first heard the news.
A common field one day, a field of honor forever.
Next stop, Ohio!
See you soon!
…
3/6/2026 7:36pm
Legionnaires, ladies and gentlemen,
Our 2026 Americanism and Government young leaders have been returned safely to their grown ups. Thank you for following along on their journey and sending them encouraging words.
I’m not sure how the young leaders get better and better every year, but somehow they do!
Madelyn, Livia, Heidi, Eli, Max, Mohamed, Alex, Aiden, Joshua, Emmalee, Jessica, Sophia, Sonya, Angela, Craig, David and Brooke….. you are the definition of young leaders. I want you to truly understand how amazing you are. You are all going to do great things in your life, and we are excited to see where the road takes you.
It was truly an honor to have you all this year.
“The youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow”
-Nelson Mandela
Chaperones- none of this would have been possible without you being you. Being present, strong leaders, different perspectives, and a whole lot of fun! Mindi, Melissa, Gary, Jason and Genochio…… THANK YOU!
Until next year, that’s all folks!
-Christie
Americanism & Government Points of Contact
Tom Rowe Jr.
Americanism Commission Chairman
- 614-284-8714
- legionchef@gmail.com
Christie White
Americanism Commission Staff Liaison, Americanism/Children & Youth Coordinator
- 740-513-5199
- programs@ohiolegion.com
Americanism Commission Members
DISTRICT 1
Bruce T Gardner
DISTRICT 2
Thomas Tierney
DISTRICT 3
Melissa Fowle
DISTRICT 4
Henry Knight Jr.
DISTRICT 5
Sheryl MacDonald
DISTRICT 6
Roy C Terry
DISTRICT 7
William J Frost
DISTRICT 8
Robert Schmoll Jr.
DISTRICT 9
William Dittebrand
DISTRICT 10
Vacant
DISTRICT 11
Thom Stan
DISTRICT 12
Tom Rowe Jr. (Chair)
DISTRICT 13
Kevin Conlan
DISTRICT 14
Jacob Marx
EXPECTATIONS FOR RENDERING PROPER RESPECT
With adoption of Res. No. 16 of the National Executive Committee Fall 2016 titled “Expectations for Rendering Proper Respect When Participating in Programs of The American Legion” The American Legion expects participants of all its programs to show proper respect to the Flag of the United States, at all times, including during the National Anthem. It is recommended to departments and posts that the chairman or director of any American Legion program make clear to all participants in advance of the program that The American Legion has the expectation for rendering proper respect to the Flag of the United States, at all times, including during the National Anthem.
If any participant of any program of The American Legion feel they cannot or will not live up to this expectation, the individual should not be a participant in American Legion programs. If any the individual will be removed from the program and not be allowed any further participation.