Veterans Day, November 11, honors all who have served. This year, on 11/11/11 at 11 a.m., the U.S. National Veterans Day Ceremony will commence in Arlington National Cemetery with a wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknowns and a Parade of Colors inside the Memorial Amphitheater.
Veterans Day Curriculum
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs provides a free Veterans Day 2011 Teacher Guide (pdf), which can be useful for anyone who is planning a Veterans Day celebration. Some ideas include
- Color printable U.S. flags for performing a flag raising ceremony or posting the nation's colors.
- Hold a moment of silence or other Memorial Day activities to honor the lives of soldiers who died in service.
- Make or print cards for veterans you know or send to your nearest VA hospital.
- Make Veterans Day crafts, stories, and do worksheets.
Veterans Day History and Themes
Karen Plumley recommends honoring veterans with a Veterans Day speech or essay. Plumley lists topics ideas for teens and young children on patriotic topics such as national unity, liberty, freedom, sacrifice, JFK, and Lincoln.
Katrena Wells explains why Veterans Day was originally called Armistice Day and why we have always observed veterans on November 11.
The history of Veterans Day began in 1938, when the day was first declared and "dedicated to the cause of world peace and to hereafter be celebrated and known as 'Armistice Day.'"
Do Something Special for Veterans in Your Family or Community
- You could interview grandparents and other relatives to discover family members who served in the armed forces during a war.
- Check out the Veterans History Project at the Library of Congress American Folklife Center, which collects and shares first-person recollections of America's veterans. These oral histories and primary resources can add a lot to a student's learning experience.
- You could help a grandparent or other relative record a story for the Veterans History Project.
- For more opportunities, contact a local VA hospital or facility to find out about local celebrations, volunteer opportunities, and other ways you can contribute to recognizing and honoring America's veterans.
Veterans Day differs from the more somber Memorial Day because it honors and celebrates all veterans. You can make the day special for veterans you know and those you can get to know in your community.
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Source: "Veterans Day - November 11." Department of Veterans Affairs. Retrieved 1 Nov 2011.
Sara McGrath - Sara is a veteran homeschool mom of three, Usborne consultant, and the author of Unschooling: A Lifestyle of Learning.
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