Honoring Our Veterans

Veterans Day may feel like just another day off from school for most kids and that's a shame.

I invite you to take some time today, to remind your children (and yourself) of the countless people whose personal sacrifice has made it possible to live where we do today, as we do today.

Perhaps, say a special prayer for the children who have lost a parent in service of our country... as well as for those whose parent(s) are serving overseas this very moment.

Take some time to make this a day of remembrance and gratitude, regardless of your political beliefs.

You might also want to remind your children that November 11th is celebrated as Armistice Day in much of the world. The armistice that ended World War I was signed on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918.

My grandfather served in the 51st Pioneer Infantry in World War I. When we were on vacation in France this past summer, we were able to retrace some of his steps. We visited restored trenches near Saint Mihiel, where General John Pershing successfully led the first major offensive of the American Expeditionary Force in Europe. 

We stopped at the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery and Memorial, where over 14,000 American military dead are laid to rest. It is the largest American cemetery in Europe and a powerful reminder that no war is good. The tragedy is unspeakable -- the sacrifice unbearable.

Our family was one of the lucky ones. My grandfather returned safely home from World War I and with my grandmother, raised a lovely young lady who became my mother and the grandmother of my own children. I think of him today, and all the families touched by war.

And I pray for all the men and women who serve when called. Thank you. 

  

My beautiful mother at the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery, 26 miles northwest of Verdun, France.

 

Related Posts:

I wrote about celebrating another American holiday, the Fourth of July, in "Reflections on the 4th of July."

To read more about our family vacation in France this past summer, see "French Connection: On Bonding with My Children While in Paris."

Recommended Products:

Would you like to teach your children a bit of world history? These are the books we used to prepare for our trip to the World War I sites in France this summer. They are relatively simple, but still comprehensive enough to give kids a real sense of what happened during this tragic time in human history.

World War I (DK Eyewitness Books) -- lots of photos, with text in manageable chunks. Particularly good for younger children or reluctant readers.

Complete Idiot's Guide to World War I -- not that I am suggesting anyone is an idiot, but this is solid information, easily organized and a good resource for older kids and parents alike.

Comments

[Meg]

Anita,

Thank you for sharing such a wonderful story. It is a great idea... something to pass on to all our schools!

- Meg

[Anita]

I just saw this post and have to share a truly amazing event that the teachers arranged at my son's school two years ago. For Veteran's Day, the students invited all of their family members who are veterans to come in to the school to be honored at an assembly. As about 20 veterans, from WW II right through the Iraq war, processed in to the school gym where the students, faculty, family and other community leaders were all gathered, the school band and chorus performed My Country 'tis of Thee, and there was not a dry eye in the place. A few of the veterans and students spoke, and then the veterans - grandfathers, neighbors, uncles, and even brothers - went to their students' classrooms to talk with the kids and answer questions. The appreciation that the kids had learned in the weeks of preparation for the event came through in their faces, their words, and their attitudes. It was a truly moving experience for our entire small-town community.