Veteran’s Day Education Program

A friend posted this on Facebook today and I thought it was a wonderful resource for teachers.

“We’re calling on K-12 schools and educators to join Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) for Honor Their Courage! This unique educational service-learning program offers students the opportunity to learn about the history, sacrifices, and realities of military service members and veterans while fundraising to support injured veterans.

Register your school, join your school, or register your classroom individually and gain access to veteran-inspired activities to help you create an engaging, interactive lesson plan for your students. We have a variety of activities, videos, and learning opportunities for all ages — just pick what works best.”

Veterans Day

In 1938, November 11th was made a legal holiday to celebrate Armistice Day. This was the day that WWI ended. In 1954, it was Armistice Day was changed to Veterans Day. Veteran’s Day is a day that we honor all the men and women who served in the US Armed Forces.

So, tomorrow, when you see someone who is a veteran, please thank them for their service. They gave up years of their lives and sacrificed a lot to protect us.

Veterans Day Activities

November 11th is a day that we pay our respects to all of those who have served in our US military.

This was first a holiday on every November 11th to pay respect to all of those who died for our country and was called Armistice Day. It is the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice at the end of WWI. In 1954, the name of the holiday was changed to Veterans Day to honor all veterans in all of the wars.

Terry Eicholz has a wonderful wakelet full of resources to use in the Classroom to celebrate Veterans Day. If you check out the wakelet, you will find many activities that students will enjoy. Photo by Lucas Alexander on Unsplash

Veterans Day used to be called Armistice Day and was first celebrated on November 11, 1919, by President Woodrow Wilson. It was to honor the fallen soldiers of The Great War for their sacrifice and bravery during the war. In 1926, Congress requested that it be made a legal holiday.

In 1945, Raymond Weeks, a WWII veteran thought it should be a day to celebrate all veterans. General Dwight Eisenhower was in favor of the idea. Weeks organized the first Veteran’s Day celebration in Alabama in 1945 until he died in 1985. In 1982 he was given the Presidential Citizenship Medal by President Reagan and Elizabeth Dole named him the “Father of Veteran’s Day.”

President Eisenhower signed the bill into law on May 26, 1954. Congress amended the Act of 1938 and changed the word Armistice to Veterans. On June 1, 1954, November 11th became the day to honor all American veterans.

I have had my students make flag pins for veterans and we have gone to Veteran’s Day ceremonies to pass out the pins. I think bringing pins to VA hospitals and VA nursing homes would also be a great place to do this.

Photo by Stephanie Klepacki on Unsplash

Welcoming Home Honor Flight Veterans

Last Saturday, we were invited to go to the Palm Beach International Airport to welcome home the veterans and their guardians who were on the Honor Flight to Washington DC for the day.

Palm Beach Post photos of the event.

I had never been to one of these events but it was amazing. I didn’t know what to expect but the crowd that showed up was phenomenal! I was so proud of all the people who felt like this was an important event to show up for.

The patriotism I felt all around me was so heartwarming!

My cousin’s daughter, Christine,  was one of the guardians and she escorted her veteran, Jerry, to DC. Her description of her experience was astounding! She explained that you can sign up to volunteer for this and have to go to training for it. Then she paid for her ticket and her veteran’s ticket to DC.

When they arrived home and saw the crowd, I think many of the veterans were shocked. As they passed through the crowds, many shook hands with the people as the people thanked the veterans for their service. Many veterans were in tears and so were many people in the crowds.

I’m so thankful for all the effort, planning, and money that made this trip possible for so many veterans. If you ever have a chance to welcome the veteran’s home from this trip, please take the opportunity to go. You won’t regret it!

Have you ever welcomed home the veterans? Have you ever been on an Honor Flight as a veteran or guardian? Please share.

Original photo by Pat Hensley