"What Iraqi & Afghani Kids Need to Know About Democracy," a new contest for school children in grades 4 through 8, has been announced by PeprallyUSA.com. The contest calls for school classes of students to create, together, illustrated books based on the United States Constitution and its amendments, providing visual and written expressions of the meaning of each, and examples of how these principles and laws would apply in day to day living.

PLEASE NOTE THE CONTEST ENTRY DATES HAVE BEEN EXTENDED, SO THAT MORE CLASSES MAY PARTICIPATE!

"To the Iraqi and Afghani kids, freedom and democracy, as we experience them, are beyond imagination. Researching and writing these books will provide American children with an experience that will help them to better understand what is so special and important about our country," said Dana Johnston, PeprallyUSA.com's publisher. "We would like to generate enough handmade books so that all the school children in these two countries actually get a chance to hold, touch and even keep a book for their class or school."

Noting that the 1998 National Assessment of Education Progress (NEAP) Civics Assment showed that 85% of 4th graders couldn1t name two services government pays for with taxes, and that 75% didn1t know that the three parts of the federal government are legislative, executive and judicial, Ms. Johnston explained why PeprallyUSA.com was initiating this bookwriting effort.

"A democracy sucy as ours is like a garden. Without tending and maintenance, it may wither and die, or become overrun.

"To properly care for our free nation, each generation of our citizens must gain sufficient familiarity with the history and workings of America's institutions so that they assume responsibity for maintaining them.

"Freedom, justice and equality are neither automatic, nor inevitable."

Noting that fewer than 51% of eligible voters took to the polls in the 2000 Presidential Elections, Ms. Johnston, a petite, ebullient mother of 3 teenagers --and,incidentally, an ex cheerleader--grinned broadly as she remarked that all of the teachers, and all of the custodial parents of students participating in the contest will need to sign statements certifying that they are registered voters, if they are eligible to be, in order to participate.

All teachers and students who are officially entered in the contest will receive some interim rewards, such as discount coupons for goodies such as pizza, ice cream, entertainment. The actual contest prizes will include US savings bonds, calling cards, gift cards, cd's, t-shirts, posters, hats, pins, pens, software, and computers.

MAKE GREETING CARDS THAT WE CAN POST For "Virtual" Delivery World Wide

Knowing they are thought of, and knowing their sacrifices are being appreciated is an antidote to the stress of those who serve our country under dangerous circumstances, or far from home.

In the past, everyone back home could send letters and packages of support and thanks to "Any Servicemember", people they didn't even know personally, but after 9/11 and the anthrax mail attacks, this kind of mail was prohibited by the armed services. Also, non-Islamic religious items are not permitted to be sent to Americans in a number of Islamic countries.

PeprallyUSA.com will post home made greetings cards, with original words and images, from people of all faiths to express their gratitude and good wishes to service members.

We are encouraging children and adults alike to get out the arts and crafts materials, and to make Halloween, Thanksgiving,Valentine's Day, Martin Luther King Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Christmas, New Year's, Easter, Passover, Ramadan, Kwanza, whatever! cards and send them by US mail to PeprallyUSA.com, 9 Main St. #3.,, Camillus, NY, 13031.

PLEASE NOTE THESE REQUIREMENTS! Use only one side of paper, and use sheets no larger than 8 inches by 10 inches. Two dimensional items only, please! Photographs are also accepted, if they are original, and express a greetings message. Please only send us materials we can keep.

We will post many cards on our site, where Americans anywhere the world over can see them, and know they are loved and respected. For example please see cards sent to us to celebrate the Jewish New Year by clicking here.)

WOULD PROGRAMS SUCH AS THIS ONE TURN ON THE STUDENTS IN YOUR CLASSES?
Warren Langevin, pictured at the left, in costume, has just graduated from Hoover (AL) High School. This is the essay he wrote, titled A Contextual Definition of Patriotism, that earned him a Semi Finalist title in PeprallyUSA.com's 2003 National Essay Contest.

I steadied the weapon against my shoulder, preparing to fire on the order from my commanding officer. The brutal heat of the summer day stifled any relaxation in the surrounding ranks of seasoned soldiers and an absolute silence enshrouded our besieged regiment. At the precise moment that Captain Martin discovered fear in the eyes of the opposing soldiers in the British garrison, he bellowed "Fire!"

As gunpowder exploded from the cool steel barrel in my grasp, a lead projectile pierced the thick, humid atmosphere and lodged into the shoulder of an enemy two hundred yards from my position. Our assault had disrupted the order of the garrisoned forces; now was the time to strike with the unforgiving force of the bayonet!

(to read more, click here)

One photograph that is representative of American pride, or history, citizens service to others, struggles, triumphs or celebrations of equality, freedom, justice, courage, or your personal heroes will be selected each week, for publication on PeprallyUSA.com's home page. The photographer will receive a check for $20 for every photograph accepted for publication.

In January 2004, a panel of judges will select three of the published photographs to be awarded prizes totalling $1000! No person will be awarded a prize who is NOT a registered voter, or, if a minor, the custodial parent of whom is not a registered voter.

To see the Gallery of Pic's Of The Week, click here.

To submit your entry, email JPG ONLY to mypics@peprallyusa.com or send non-returnable print to Photo Contest, PeprallyUSA.com, 9 Main St. #3., Camillus, NY 13031. You must include your name, address, phone number, email address, title of photograph, with your submission.