Young American Legion Family members attended the five national Junior meetings held during the 2024-2025 ALA administrative year. Participants had the chance to meet new friends, complete a mission-focused service project, play games, make crafts, and learn more about our organization and partnerships — plus, just tons of overall fun! 
 
Juniors and Sons of The American Legion took part in icebreaker activities and learned about the poppy and the national ALA’s partnerships with Wreaths Across America and Honor Flight Network. 
 
The service project during this administrative year’s national Junior meetings was mail call cards for veterans attending future Honor Flights. Participants wrote inspirational messages and colored pictures on the cards for veterans to open while on their return flights with the program. 
 
Two crafts were also made during the day-long event — patriotic fans and a zipper pull:
 
Patriotic Fans
Supplies:

• Paper handheld fans with wooden handle kit (can also use thick cardstock with paint stirrers for handles)
• Markers, colored pencils, crayons
• Patriotic embellishments such as stickers or washi tape
• Double-sided tape

Steps: 
1. Decorate fans with design of your choice.
2. Fold in half.
3. Use double-sided tape to adhere fan to handle and seal folded sides together.
 
Patriotic Zipper Pull 
Supplies:

• Swivel snap hooks
• Patriotic ribbons: 1/8”, ¼”, and ½” widths work best 
• Lighter (adult supervision required)  

Steps: 
1. Cut ribbon into 12” pieces. You will need at least 4 pieces, but you can use as many as you like.
2. Have an adult use a lighter to melt the ends of the cut ribbons to prevent unraveling.
3. Use a cow hitch knot (also called a lark’s head) to attach your ribbons to the hook.