On May 1st, National Loyalty Day recognizes American freedom and is set aside for the reaffirmation of loyalty to the United States and the recognition of the heritage of American freedom.
Every U.S. President since 1955 has set the day for May 1st. Whether they call for Americans to raise the flags, pray, or reflect on their heritage, each of them recognizes an inherent need for the country to be united in our basic ideals. Their messages speak of loyalty and freedom in equal measure, especially those who serve in the military. And while the messages may stray some in agreement on other topics, the central messages remain the same.

NATIONAL LOYALTY DAY HISTORY
First observed in 1921 as Americanization Day, the holiday counterbalanced the Communist celebration of Labor Day on May Day. On July 18, 1958, U.S. Congress (Public Law 85-529) made the day an official holiday. President Dwight D. Eisenhower proclaimed May 1, 1959, the first official observance of Loyalty Day. 

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Since 1988 on the Sunday closest to May 1 (unless May 1 
Was a Sunday) I have been at Putnam County Veterans 
Memorial Park for a Loyalty Day event sponsored by the 
Putnam County Council Veterans of Foreign Wars. It was 
almost a right of spring. Picnic, some speeches, games for 
the kids and just plain fun. We were expressing our pride in 
America. The people gathered were mostly Veterans and 
family members. There were others that attended. 
Sadly the NYS VFW disbanded county VFW’s statewide. 
What is the point of the tale of woe? We have no group or 
groups to run Loyalty Day. There is now a void left by the 
demise of the Putnam County Council VFW. There is no 
organization to run Loyalty Day. 
 
Please let’s not see our great American Bald Eagle looking 
down at diminishing opportunities to celebrate this great 
nation! So we are looking for a group or organization that 
wants to help keep Loyalty Day alive in Putnam County. 
Contact this office if interested!! Thanks! 
 Karl