"Americanism is an unfailing love of country; loyalty to its institutions and ideals; eagerness to defend it against all enemies; undivided allegiance to the flag; and a desire to secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and posterity."
— Adopted by the VFW and four other national veterans' organizations
At VFW Post 969, Americanism isn't a word — it's what we do every day. From folding the flag at a veteran's funeral to teaching a classroom of third-graders how to fly it right, from marching in the Loyalty Day parade to setting the Missing Man Table — Americanism is patriotism you can see, touch, and pass on.
The American flag is the most sacred symbol of our nation, and teaching Americans — young and old — how to respect it is one of Post 969's core missions.
We provide flag education on:
Proper display of the U.S. flag (sunrise to sunset, or 24 hours if properly illuminated)
How to correctly fold the flag into the traditional triangle
How to salute, pledge, and stand at attention during patriotic ceremonies
The order of precedence — U.S. flag first, then POW/MIA (which the VFW considers a federal banner and flies above all other flags beneath the U.S. flag)
What NOT to do: never let the flag touch the ground, never use it as clothing or decoration, never dip it to any person or thing
📖 Read the full U.S. Flag Codelegion
📖 Read the VFW Flag Etiquette Guidevfw
When a U.S. flag becomes worn, torn, faded, or soiled beyond repair, it should be retired with dignity — never thrown in the trash.
Post 969 conducts flag retirement ceremonies according to U.S. Flag Code:
The flag is presented with honor and saluted
The Pledge of Allegiance is recited
The flag is respectfully placed on the fire
Members observe a moment of silent reflection
The ashes are gathered and buried
Have a worn flag that needs to be retired? Drop it off at Post 969 — we'll retire it with the honor it deserves.
📞 253-272-1405 · 📍 3510 McKinley Ave, Tacoma
Post 969 celebrates and commemorates the days that shape American history:
Plus every branch birthday — Marine Corps (Nov 10), Navy (Oct 13), Air Force (Sept 18), Coast Guard (Aug 4), Space Force (Dec 20), and National Guard (Dec 13).
Loyalty Day is the VFW's day.
It began in 1930 when 10,000 VFW members staged a patriotic rally at New York's Union Square. In 1955, VFW Post 3 member and U.S. Representative Jimmy Van Zandt introduced the bill that made May 1 officially Loyalty Day — proclaimed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower and celebrated every year since.
Loyalty Day is our chance to publicly reaffirm loyalty to America and honor the heritage of American freedom — through parades, ceremonies, flag presentations, and community events.
Every VFW Post is encouraged to observe Loyalty Day. Post 969 marks the day every May.
More than 81,000 American service members remain missing from our nation's wars. Post 969 keeps their memory alive through:
The Missing Man Table Ceremony — the small round table set with a single white rose, an inverted glass, a slice of lemon, salt, and an empty chair
The POW/MIA flag flown at the Post beneath the U.S. flag (VFW protocol: above all other flags on the same pole)
POW/MIA Recognition Day (third Friday of September) programs
Advocacy to bring every one of them home
You are not forgotten.
Learn more on our POW/MIA page →
Behind every service member is a family. Post 969 honors the families who bear the cost of freedom:
Gold Star Family — Families who have lost an immediate family member during active military service
Silver Star Family — Families of those wounded, ill, or injured while serving
Blue Star Family — Families of active service members during a time of conflict
White Star Family — Families who have lost a service member to suicide
Are you a Star Family in Tacoma or Pierce County? Post 969 wants to know you. We are here to stand with you.
📞 253-272-1405 · ✉️ adj@vfw969.org
America's best educators deserve to be recognized.
The Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher of the Year Award honors K-12 teachers who teach citizenship, flag etiquette, patriotism, and civic responsibility — for at least half of the school day in a classroom setting.
Award recipients receive:
$1,000 for professional development
$1,000 for their school
An all-expenses-paid trip to the VFW National Convention
Know a teacher who deserves this? Nominate them through Post 969.
📞 253-272-1405 · ✉️ adj@vfw969.org
📖 Learn more at VFW National →
Democracy only works when citizens show up. Post 969 promotes:
Voter registration drives in the community
Non-partisan voter education on veterans' issues
Getting our members to the polls — every election, local to national
Contacting legislators on issues that impact veterans and their families through the VFW Action Corps
Post 969 recognizes businesses, schools, and citizens in our community who fly Old Glory with pride. If you see a business, school, or neighbor doing it right — let us know. We'd be honored to present them with a certificate of appreciation from Post 969.
Have a tattered flag flying? We'll help replace it — free of charge.
Americanism means passing patriotism to the next generation. Post 969 sponsors:
Voice of Democracy — Audio-essay scholarship for grades 9-12 ($35,000 national top prize)
Patriot's Pen — Essay contest for grades 6-8 ($5,000 national top prize)
Scout of the Year — Scholarship for Eagle Scouts and Girl Scout Gold Award recipients
Entries are due to Post 969 by October 31 each year.
See all Post 969 youth programs →
Every American — veteran or not — can help spread Americanism:
Fly the flag correctly at your home, business, or school
Attend Post 969's patriotic ceremonies (Loyalty Day, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, POW/MIA Day)
Volunteer to teach flag education in classrooms alongside our members
Bring worn flags to Post 969 for proper retirement
Nominate a teacher for the Smart/Maher Award
Sponsor a student in Voice of Democracy or Patriot's Pen
VFW Post 969 — Eric G. Sandstrom Post
📍 3510 McKinley Ave, Tacoma, WA 98404
📞 253-272-1405
✉️ adj@vfw969.org
🌐 vfw969.org
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"Americanism is an unfailing love of country."
At Post 969, we live those words.