The Veterans Day essays are due on Thursday...here are a few more suggested websites to help your child discover more about this day of remembrance and recognition.
http://www.va.gov/kids
www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/FWWusaG.htm
http://holidays.kaboose.com/memorial-day-remembrance-day.html
www1.va.gov/opa/feature/celebrate/flower.asp
www1.va.gov/opa/feature/celebrate/index.asp
An example of an essay provided by and with permission from the Department of Veterans Affairs
When Francis Scott Key wrote the “Star Spangled Banner” almost 200 years ago, he called America, “the land of the free and the home of the brave.” Those words are as true today as they were then.
Throughout this Nation’s history, America’s soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and coastguardsmen have bravely answered the call to defend our freedom, to aid our friends and allies, and to turn back aggressors.
We can never fully repay our debt of gratitude to the more than 650,000 American servicemembers who died in battle or the 1.4 million who were wounded. We can, however, recognize and thank the 25 million veterans still living today.
These words are inscribed on the Korean War Memorial in Washington, D.C. :
“Our nation honors her sons and daughters who answered the call to defend a country they never knew and a people they never met.”
Those words apply equally to many of our World War I, World War II, Vietnam War and Gulf War veterans as well. They apply to today’s active duty servicemembers — tomorrow’s veterans — who are helping to maintain peace throughout the world.
Today, it is our privilege to say “thank you” to all of America ’s veterans, to let them know that we appreciate them for their service and honor them for their sacrifices.
The price of freedom is high. We cannot afford to forget those willing to pay it.
Today, we celebrate America’s veterans for keeping this Nation “the land of the free and the home of the brave.”
