On July 4, 1776, just hours after signing the Declaration of Independence, Congress took another bold step. It appointed a committee to design a seal for the new nation. Not a logo. Not a decoration. A symbol meant to quietly express what America stood for - and what it hoped its people would stand for as well. After six years of debate and refinement, the Great Seal of the United States emerged. On the surface, it authenticates documents. Beneath the surface, it teaches. For members of The American Legion, this idea may feel familiar. Service has always carried two dimensions: the visible uniform and the invisible values beneath it. At the center of the Seal is the bald eagle - confident, free and clear-eyed. Beyond its national symbolism, the eagle has long represented vision. The Founders understood that progress begins there. Every mission, every institution, every hard-won freedom was first imagined before it was achieved. When imagination is guided by purpose, it becomes practical and powerful. In one talon, the eagle holds an olive branch; in the other, 13 arrows. Peace first. Strength always. Those who have served understand this balance instinctively. True strength is guided by conscience, and peace of mind comes when our intention is to contribute rather than compete. The shield on the eagle’s chest has no external supports, reminding us that real strength - national and personal - comes from within. Decisions matter. When a decision is aligned with conscience, momentum follows. Turn the Seal over and you’ll find an unfinished pyramid. It’s there to remind us that America - and each of us - is a work in progress. The message is simple and encouraging: begin where you are. Step out boldly. Grow as you go. Above the pyramid floats the Eye of Providence, symbolizing inner guidance. The Founders believed liberty could endure only if people were guided from within - by conscience rather than control. Taken together, the Great Seal offers a living lesson: trust inner guidance, act boldly, remain open to growth - and a new horizon opens before you. The Great Seal is not a relic. It’s a reminder that service does not end when the uniform comes off. It continues in how we live, lead and encourage others. That promise has been hiding in plain sight all along - waiting patiently on the back of a dollar bill, ready to be lived.

Adapted from "The Great Seal: The Symbolic Guide for Happy and Successful Living" by Darrell Fusaro