BEL AIR, Md. — Students at Prospect Mill Elementary and William S. James Elementary Schools are getting a lesson in patriotism thanks in part to Freedom Federal Credit Union.

A partnership developed between the PTAs, school administrators, teachers and Freedom FCU helped launch the Patriot Program.

The program's mission is to provide students an opportunity to gain a sense of patriotism and develop an awareness and appreciation of our country's past, present, and future. It is also designed to promote citizenship and pride in our shared American heritage. Students are required to learn the Pledge of Allegiance, the 23 Maryland counties, state capital, identification of national, state, and county officials, as well as identification of seven of the ten national monuments or symbols, among other things.