Section 1 a “Blueprint” for the 21st Century Purpose
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Adopted by The American Legion in 1921ForewordThe Manual of Ceremonies was adopted at the Third Annual Convention, Kansas City, Missouri, October 31 to November 2, 1921. It was amended at the Fifth Annual Convention, San Francisco, California, October 15 to 19, 1923; at the Seventh Annual Convention, Omaha, Nebraska, October 5 to 9, 1925; at the Ninth Annual Convention, Paris, France, September 19 to 22, 1927; at the Thirteenth Annual Convention, Detroit, Michigan, September 21 to 24, 1931; at the Fifteenth Annual Convention, Chicago, Illinois, October 2 to 5, 1933; at the Sixteenth Annual Convention, Miami, Florida, October 22 to 25, 1934; at the Nineteenth Annual Convention, New York City, September 20 to 23, 1937; at the Twenty-First Annual Convention, Chicago, Illinois, September 25 to 28, 1939; at the National Executive Committee Meeting of November 19 and 20, 1942, by authority of the 1942 Kansas City National Convention; at the Twenty-Fifth Annual Convention, Omaha, Nebraska, September 21 to 23, 1943; at the Twenty-Sixth Annual Convention, Chicago, Illinois, September 18 to 20, 1944; by the National Executive Committee Meeting, June 5 to 7, 1946; at the Twenty-Ninth Annual Convention, New York, New York, August 28 to 31, 1947; by the National Executive Committee Meeting, May 3 to 5, 1948,; by the National Executive Committee, May 3 to 5, 1950; by the National Executive Committee, May 2 to 4, 1951; by the National Executive Committee, May 2 to 4, 1954; by the National Executive Committee, May 4 to 6, 1955; by the National Executive Committee, May 2 to 4, 1956; by the National Executive Committee, May 1-3, 1957; by the National Executive Committee, April 29 to May 1, 1959; by the National Executive Committee, May 4-5, 1960; by the National Executive Committee, May 3-4, 1961; by the National Executive Committee, May 2-3, 1962; by the National Executive Committee, May 1-2, 1963; by the National Executive Committee, April 30-May 1, 1964; by the National Executive Committee, May 5-6, 1965; by the National Executive Committee, October 12-13, 1966; by the National Executive Committee, May 3-4, 1967; by the National Executive Committee, May 6-7, 1970; by the National Executive Committee, October 20-21, 1971; by the National Executive Committee, May 1-2, 1974; by the National Executive Committee, October 9-10, 1974; by the National Executive Committee, April 30-May 1, 1975; by the National Executive Committee, May 4-5, 1977; by the National Executive Committee, October 5-6, 1977; by the National Executive Committee, May 4-5, 1994; and by the National Executive Committee, May 2-4, 1995. Message(s) from the National Adjutant Lapel tacks and the initiation lamp used in the initiation ceremony are available through National Emblem Sales. All such orders should be forwarded direct to National Emblem Sales, National Headquarters, The American Legion, P.O. Box 1055, Indianapolis, IN 46206. The official flower of The American Legion is the Poppy, and where flowers are required, the poppy is appropriate and should be used. The funeral service may be varied in accordance with the religious belief of the deceased comrade. Great care has been exercised in the compilation of this manual so it would contain no objectionable material to persons of any religious creed. Much of the information provided in the Manual of Ceremonies is the consequence of long-time tradition and usage. The practices adopted by The American Legion may not be the same as used by other groups or organizations. Our methods may be different, but it doesn’t mean we are right and others are wrong. For example, there are subtle distinctions regarding Legion protocol versus military protocol when it comes to steps followed at the gravesite of a deceased veteran. A Post may choose to use practices adopted over the years by The American Legion, or they may choose to utilize cemetery practices as outlined in the Military Field Manual 22-5. The same commands are completed, but the order of sequence is different. The following illustrates this variation. Funeral/Cemetery Procedure Legion Practice: Military Field Manual 22-5: 1) Flag is removed from the casket 1) Secure Flag & hold it waist high off casket 2) Flag is folded and given to the Chaplain 2) Fire Volley by Firing Squad 3) Flag is presented to the Family 3) Taps is sounded 4) Fire Volley by Firing Squad 4) Flag is folded 5) Taps is sounded 5) Flag is presented to the Family The main concern is that an appropriate ceremony is conducted to honor the deceased veteran. Another matter open for discussion/interpretation relates to a Woman Legionnaire wearing her American Legion cap during certain occasions. On Page 3-6, item 8, it states: “Female members of The American Legion should wear their caps in the manner prescribed for female personnel of the armed services.” This is suitable for most situations, but…taste and common sense should prevail. By American Legion tradition, a female Legionnaire is afforded the opportunity to leave her cap on during the Pledge of Allegiance, National Anthem, prayer and during meals. No national authority can be found which mandates the removal of the cap by female Legionnaires during such occasions. ROBERT W. SPANOGLE, National AdjutantPlan of Post Meeting Room
This arrangement of a Post meeting room is especially functional for the conduct of regular Post meetings. This plan permits the Post a great amount of flexibility in arrangement to meet the Post’s particular needs and/or adapt to any physical limitations. Plan of Post Meeting Room For Special Ceremonies 
For the ceremony of initiation or installation of officers, it is suggested the Post meeting room be arranged as shown in the above sketch. The Emblem should be in colors and about twenty inches in diameter. If made of glass, it should be illuminated from within; or by a light set above it, if made of wood, cardboard, or metal. Emblems may be purchased through National Emblem Sales in Indianapolis, IN. The Emblems should be illuminated at all times during all meetings. Anything of a light or humorous nature added by the Post to this initiation should be kept separate and apart, and the candidates should be informed that it is not a part of the initiation proper. Other officers or members than those designated may be assigned to parts in the initiation ceremony. It is recommended each Post have a degree team, trained and uniformed for degree work.
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