Teaching Kids the Meaning of Memorial Day #MemorialDay

If you ask a group of children what Memorial Day is about, you’ll probably receive a variety of different answers. Some may tell you it’s a day off of school, or that it’s the weekend the neighborhood pool opens and others will tell you it’s when there are lots of big sales at the stores. It is important to teach the next generation the importance of honoring our military who defend and sacrifice to keep us safe. For that reason, below you’ll find a list of suggestions to help your family bring the true meaning of Memorial Day into your home this year.

1. Teach the history of Memorial Day:
Memorial Day started as Decoration Day in Waterloo, NY in 1866 as a ritual to honor Union and Confederate soldiers after the American Civil war. In 1868 General John Logan declared May 5th as a day when flowers were to be placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. It wasn’t until 1882 that the name Memorial Day was used as a day of remembrance to all service members who had died defending our country. President Nixon declared Memorial Day a federal holiday in 1971 and established it on the last Monday of May. In December, 2000 the National Moment of Remembrance resolution was passed to help remind Americans of the true meaning of Memorial Day. The resolution asks that at 3pm on the last Monday of May, all Americans stop for a moment of silence to reflect on those who have sacrificed everything in honor of their country.

2. Fly an American Flag
Together as a family, fly your American Flag and teach children about flag etiquette. Memorial Day is a perfect time to explain to children why Americans fly the American flag at half-mast. If you don’t have an American Flag, help your children make one out of construction paper and display it in your front window or on your front door.

3. Visit your local National Cemetery
Many National Cemeteries will host special ceremonies to pay tribute to our fallen veterans. This is a great opportunity to teach kids that these National Cemeteries are reserved for those who sacrificed for their country and were very brave while protecting others. Check your local National Cemetery at http://www.cem.va.gov for more information.

4. Send encouragement abroad
Many service members are still deployed and would love to know that their fellow Americans are thinking of them this Memorial Day and remembering those who gave their lives for our freedom. Help kids write a thank you letter to send to a service member, color a picture or make a care package. There are many organizations that will help you get your items into the hands of our deployed Armed Forces. If you’d like suggestions on where to send your package, leave a comment below and we’d be happy to assist you.

5. Celebrate with a parade
Taking your children to a Memorial Day parade is a great time to answer a lot of questions about Memorial Day. It’s also a great opportunity to explain that it’s a day to honor and celebrate those who have given the ultimate sacrifice by defending our freedoms and protecting others.

6. Organize Memorial Day Activities and Crafts
There are many web sites that can give you great ideas on crafts and free printables to help your kids get creative for Memorial Day. The time while they are working also serves as a wonderful opportunity to tell kids the history and meaning of Memorial Day. After you’ve finished they just may be inspired to send their creations off to the troops overseas to say thank you! You can find some great ideas at http://www.familyeducation.com

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How do you teach your kids the true meaning of Memorial Day? #military, #MilFam, #milspouse, RT Please!

How do you teach your kids the true meaning of Memorial Day? Leave a comment here, on Facebook, or respond on Twitter and we’ll publicize a list of ideas for everyone to benefit from!

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Baby Calms When He Hears Deployed Dad Read Story (#MilFam, #MilSpouse, #Military, @USO, @UnitedTReading)

The United Through Reading Program helps ease the stress of deployment for families by having deployed parents read stories on DVD for their children to watch while they are away. The program is available to all deploying military units and at select USO locations. For more information see http://www.unitedthroughreading.org/military/

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Lifeway Christian Stores Help Operation Worship Ship Bibles to Military and Familes. @OpWorship,#Miltary, #Milfam, #MilSpouse,

Lifeway Christian Stores are working with Operation Worship to distribute Bibles to our service men and women and their families. Either on-line or in one of their stores nationwide. You can choose to send your purchased Bible directly to a service member, or send it to Operation Worship for distribution to any service person. The low-cost of these Bibles makes it affordable to individuals, churches, and other organizations to reach many with the Word of God. The Association of Christian Retail has set a goal of sending 500,000 Operation Worship Bibles in 100 days!

Bibles contain the New Living Translation with devotional and other material written to help service members and their families get the most out of their Bible. The compact size is ideal to take along on deployment and the covers are designed specifically for each branch of the Armed Forces.

You can also visit Operation Worship online and compose an encouraging message to be sent in a Bible to Military Chaplains for distribution or make a donation to assist them in shipping Bibles.

For more information see Lifeway Christian Stores and Operation Worship

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May Is Military Appreciation Month – Thank A Service Member Here!

GOD BLESS ALL of our miilitary…AND their families at home! Alleliah
–Jim Meves, NC

 To all the military men, women, and families: without you we would not have our freedoms and the beautiful country we live in. I hold the most respect and admiration for each and everyone of you. To all the service people I know in my life, love you much and go USA!!!!!
–Jessica Moore, MI

 We[servicemembers] have it easy…how about sending out a shout to the military spouses and children of servicemembers who are taken for granted everyday…they are the true unsung heroes that deserve the recognition for keeping their families together, never quite sure if their loved ones are safe or when they might come home all while trying to maintain some sense of normalcy & sanity…often surrounded by others that are completley oblivious or can’t comprehend what they are going through…Jenny Ringvelski, U.S. Marine Corps Spouse…You are my hero, Thank You So Much For All That You Do, I Love You So Much!!!
–Major Ringvelski, AFG

 Dear Lord, we thank you for today, as tomorrow is not guaranteed. Please put your loving arms around each and everyone of our military personnel and keep them safe from harm and bring them home to their family and friends, as that would be an awesome blessing to us all. I pray for wisdom for all civilians so that we can lift up our men and women in uniform as we do not fully understand what their eyes have seen. I pray for strength for military families as each day can be a challenge while their loved one is away. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
–Karen Chapman, WI

 To all of those men and women who leave their homes and families to lay their lives on the line every hour of every day…thank you. You mean more to us than we can ever say. Stay safe until you can come safely home to us.
–Ginna Williams, MI

 I have so much respect for the women of military men!!! It takes a special, strong woman to support your warrior while worrying about him, your kids, and life in general. Not to mention the men and women who sacrifice time away from friends, family, the comforts of home, and are willing to lay down their lives to keep this country safe and free. Anything I can do to show support for my heroes!!
–Becky Hamblin, CA

 Please share my thanks with Ben for being in the military…….and thanks to his family for allowing him to be the best he can be!
–Darrell Kesteloot, MI

MC Kirk T. Putnam. Navy. Served in Afghanistan. Now stationed in Everett, WA. 🙂 Thank you!!! 😀
–Mandi Wyman Morgart, MN

 ‎1st Lieutenant BENJAMIN HALL died in combat when insurgents attacked his unit in Asadabad, Afghanistan on July 31, 2007. Was my sister in law’s boyfriend at the time. RIP, Ben.
–Mandi Wyman Morgart, MN

 I want to give a shout out to military wives, families, holding down the home front!
–Keri MacKay Smith, MI

 I want to thank military families for all of your efforts to keep us all sleeping a little bit sounder each night. The troops are not the only one’s working to keep this country safe, but their families as well who have to live and work day in and day out without their husbands, wives, moms, and dads at home…a HUGE hug and thank you to you!
–Eve Leinonen, IL

Post your message of appreciation for FREE by sending a message below!
Show your appreciation by posting to Facebook or Retweeting too!

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Did You Know: About Foster Care for #Military Pets

Do you know a service member that is deploying and needs to find care for their four-legged family member? NetPets.org is a nation wide and global network of individual foster homes that will house, nurture, and care for dogs, cats, birds, horses, and all other pets of U.S. military personnel.

NetPets.org’s Military Pets foster project is a free service that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Defense as their Pet Assistance Provider.

Click the following link for more information about:
-Registering your pet for this program
-Becoming a foster provider
-Making a charitable donation
NetPet’s Military Foster Project

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Did You Know: #Six Flags Celebrates #Military Appreciation Month with Free Admission

Six Flags America in Baltimore, MD is celebrating Military Appreciation Month by offering a FREE one day entrance to their destination on Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 14th and Sunday, May 15th to active duty U.S. military personnel.

Active duty members can show their military ID at any ticket booth at the Six Flags America Baltimore location for FREE admittance for one day.

In addition, Six Flags America offers discount tickets to service members and their families throughout the season. Discount tickets can be purchased at most MWR or ITT offices aboard local installations. Discount tickets are available through October, 2011. Contact your local MWR or ITT office for more information.

For more information see the link below:
http://www.sixflags.com/america/info/news_2011MilitaryAppreciation.aspx

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Did You Know: May 16th #Scholarship Application Deadline for @ThanksUSA!

ThanksUSA is offering first time undergraduate scholarships to eligible military spouses and children of U.S. military service personnel as well as reduced tuition of up to 50%! Scholarships may be applied toward licensure or certification programs regardless of whether and undergraduate degree has already been completed. See their website to fill out their on-line application by 11:59 p.m. CDT, MAY 16TH, 2011.

See ThanksUSA for more details.

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Did You Know: Send Expired Coupons for Military Overseas!

Overseas Military families can use expired coupons (up to 6 months) at PXs and commissaries.
This is an easy way to help those serving and also cut down on paper waste.

SEND YOUR COUPONS TO:
COUPS FOR TROOPS
PO BOX 147
WINNABOW NC 28479

Things to remember before sending us your coupons:
-send coupons that have expired within the last month or two
–only manufacturer coupons can be used at commissaries
-store coupons cannot be used
-internet coupons can be printed there but send your expired ones nonetheless
-coupons for baby items are always in high demand but everyone uses food coupons
-cut out the coupons before you send them, this will save you postage
-we don’t ask that you sort them, but if you have time, sort them into “food” and “non-food”

We are always looking for more participants stationed overseas to receive coupons. Please see our website for a form to fill out. We send packages out at the first of every month.

Email coupsfortroops@aol.com
Website http://coupsfortroops.com/

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First Lady & Dr. Biden Host Mother’s Day Tea for Military Spouses

For a group of military spouses, this Mother’s Day will be one they never forget. First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden hosted a special Mother’s Day tea to show their appreciation and thanks.

An excerpt from the First Lady’s remarks:
We’re joining forces across this country, and we’re calling on all Americans to ask themselves just one simple question: How can I give back to these families who have given me so much?

We’re joining forces across the federal government, building on over 50 commitments that departments and agencies have made for how they can better serve military families. We’re going to be joining forces with cities and states, encouraging them to adopt policies that will help you all.

We’re joining forces with organizations like the national PTA and the Military Child Education Coalition, to improve school outreach to military kids. We’re joining forces with businesses and nonprofits, getting commitments from companies like Walmart and Sears to help military spouses find and keep jobs.

And we’re joining forces with families and communities. We’re urging people to do whatever they can as neighbors, colleagues, and classmates to lend a hand to military families.

We believe that this is what you deserve from us, because showing our gratitude to those who serve our nation whether it’s on the battlefield or at home, is something that every single American can do. And it’s something that every single American should do.

See full article and read full remarks here

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