Monday, November 12, 2007

Count Your Blessings...Before You Ask For New Ones - Veteran's Day and Thanksgiving

Aren't those just the greatest lyrics? I don't know who wrote or sings them but I heard the song in the movie "The Wendell Baker Story" which is a great movie for thinking about counting your blessings (among other things and a couple of great lines, laughs and poignant moments.)

Veteran's Day is a really great day to teach children about sacrifice, country, democracy and being involved in something larger than yourself. It's a chance to open their eyes to the fact that our country is a free and democratic nation because people defend her right to be.

Veteran's Day Discussion Starter Tips:

* What is Veteran's Day?
* Why do we celebrate Veteran's Day?
* How would the USA be different if our brave soldiers hadn't fought for her?
* Which was the first war that was fought for the USA?
* What war is the USA fighting in now? Where are our soldiers stationed?
* Do you know any soldiers or veterans?
* Is anyone in our family from a foreign country? How did they get here?
* What is great and good about a free country? Voting? Freedom of Speech?
* What do Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness mean?
* What makes you happy? Why?
* How can we give thanks to our veterans?

Depending on the age of your children you can go into the concepts on a surface or a deeper level.

For older teens and young adults it's a good time to talk about the long-term effects of combat and combat wounds both physical and psychological. Are there any veterans portrayed in any of the media they consume? Talk about the countries that don't enjoy the freedoms that we do.

Without our veterans we wouldn't be here today. Let's celebrate them.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

In the spirit of the season, thanksfor this. I read them and enjoy them. Thanks for sharing.