CHAPLAIN | HAROLD OLSON

From our extended family I'm soory to report that Jeffery Flynt of the Sons passed away in March.  Hugh Pedigrew remains in Accute Rehab on East Mission.

More from the Chaplain's Manual on The Religious Education of Children

The third spiritual objective of the "Service To God and Country" program goes hand and hand with the second. It is the religious training of children. The child who is made aware of God and is trained in the principles of their faith, will grow to appreciate, understand and respect more fully such principles as law, government and justice. If children today do not become imbued with the truth of the Supreme Authority - God - then they cannot be expected to seek God's Divine Counsel and Guidance throughout life.

It's hard to believe in God if your parent's don't, wrote a seventh grade boy. This puts parents on the spot. They pride themselves on being conscientious parents, but if the religious training of their children is left to chance, they are not being fair to them. Too many parents are lacking in their concern over the spiritual development of their children. Millons of American children are growing up without any religious training. Unless the tide of secularism is stopped and unless parents, by teaching their children religion, lay a foundation for the future, children and grandchildren, alike, will grow up in a Nation that is largely pagan.

Legionnaires are called upon to make parents more aware of their responsibility. While youth must be taught and knowledge that is rightfully theirs through the inheritance of the human race; while they must be taught how to use this knowledge in the thinking process of their day, and while they must be helped to master the skills and tools that will give them their daily bread, the greatest duty required of parents is the production in the individuals of qualities that will give them character to take their place among the masses. That can best be accomplished throug religious training.

I firmly believe that we must set a strong example to them ourselves is by attending the church of choice every week and attending Legion meetings every month.