Veterans’ Day

American Soldiers...Memorial Day 2010

Photo Credit: Beverly & Pack via Compfight cc

“I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, with liberty and justice for all.”  Have you ever really thought about the words we say each morning as we pledge allegiance to the flag?  Our flag is a symbol of our country.  We are very lucky in our country to:

  • be one nation without civil strife
  • have freedom of religion
  • enjoy liberty and justice for ALL

Sometimes we take our freedom for granted.   Today is a day to remember all the veterans who fought, many giving their very lives, so that we may continue to have these freedoms today.  American veterans have also fought and served our so that others in the world could have these freedoms.   We thank these veterans for their service and for allowing us to live in freedom.

On September 11th, we wrote a post A Day of Remembrance.  Revisit this post and then visit The Learning Lair, Huzzah!, and/or Mr. Miller’s Class and see what students and teachers around the world are doing to remember our veterans and promote peace.

As we know from our studies of Medieval times, from this summer’s novel A Long Walk to Water, from last year’s novel Under the Blood Red Sun, and from the story of Malala, war is, sadly, a constant in our world.  Our class is trying to contribute to peace in some small way, and we have voted to hold a middle school dance to raise funds to dig a well in South Sudan.  We hope to contribute to peace in our world through dance.

 To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under the sun. A time to be born and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to pluck up that which is planted; a time to kill and a time to heal … a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance … a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to lose and a time to seek; a time to rend and a time to sew; a time to keep silent and a time to speak; a time to love and a time to hate; a time for war and a time for peace.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

We thank our veterans for this time of peace in our country and pray for peace throughout the world.

Do you know any veterans?  How has their service impacted you?

What can you do to promote peace in our world?

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26 thoughts on “Veterans’ Day

  1. Hi mrs. Donofrio,
    I did know a Veteran, it was my grandfather. He was in the Korean War and was in charge of several other people. His service and many others has made an impact on my life because they have protected me form things that could’ve hapened and I am very grateful. They also show me courage for going out in battle and fighting to keep the rest of us safe. My grandfather died on December 3, 2012, and I miss him so much. I can promote peace in our world by praying and helping others do what is right. Do you know anybody who was in the Korean War?

    • Hi emmalee

      I also know someone that was in the Korean War. I interviewed him for my veterans day project. He was an aircraft mechanic in the navy air force.

  2. Hi Mrs. Donofrio,

    I do know some Veterans, they are my dad and my grandpa.Their service has impacted me a lot because when they show me pictures and tell me stories, it is really cool because other than being in my family, they gave 6 years of service to our country. What I can do to promote peace in our world is that I can be as nice and pleasant as I can be and to donate some of my allowance to old Veterans who are in retirement homes.

  3. Hey, Mrs. Donofrio!
    My Grand-dad has told me many stories of his six year service in the National Guard. He has showed me uniform and I thought it was very neat. I am happy I have someone in my family talk to about their experience of the military.

    We could start world-peace groups. Donate to the United Nations, and donate to organizations around the world for promoting world-peace. Do you know of any world-peace organizations?

  4. Hey Mrs. Donofrio
    My Grandfather was a veteran in world war 2. Sad because when a plane crashed he have to put out the fire and get the dog tags from the people that died.keep praying for the people that don’t have thing that some people have.

  5. I know a veteran.He was my taekwondo teacher.He helped me get my green belt.To pormote peace you can donate food to the hungery.Do you know any one who has taken teakwondo.

  6. Hi Mrs.Donofrio,
    I personally do know a veterian. He was a coast guard in I think Alabama. He knows a lot about weapons and artillary. He was an electrical engineer of the huge ship. He was also statioined in Africa on an aircraft carrier. Do you know a veteran?
    Carson Traub

  7. Hi Mrs.Donofrio,
    My grandfather is a veteran he was in World War II. His service has impacted me because he always tells me to help our veterans either when we see one at a restaurant or on the street. I can promote peace by doing the right thing for example if you see someone doing something wrong I can guide them to do the right thing and praying to keep our soliders safe.-Sydney

  8. Hello Mrs. Donofrio,
    I really love this post. If you stop and read it slowly you really think wow all they do or did for us is so great. Those people must be so brave. To go into any of the services is quite a big deal. When I was in mass yesterday the priest said “every one who is a veteran please stand up”. I looked over and my paryer partner stood up. My eyes filled with wonder. At that moment I wanted to know every thing about it. I guess that answers one of your questions. Whell when you think about it a world without veterans is like a world without cars. You have the whole world to explore but no car to take you. To answer you other question I really don’t know. I will think about it and maybe comment later. Do you know any veterans? Hope to blog you later.
    Hannah~

  9. Hi Mrs.D,
    My Grandpa is veteran and he has actually given to me some of his medals that say “little” on them.

    What he did always had a big impact on me. By serving his country I couldn’t be prouder. He was always a great soldier and a great grandpa.

    We could always donate to charities who support peace. Have food drive to end world hunger and have peace.

    If you had $1,000 dollars to donate, what kind of chairity would you donate it to?

    ~Aliciahk

  10. Hey Mrs. Donofrio I do know some veteran’s, My dad, grandma, grandpa, and my other grandpa were all in the military. Them being in the military has effected me over the years, because in six grade I had to do a veterans project and I did it on my grandparents. I could promote peace by praying and I would raise money for them.

  11. Hi, Mrs. D!

    Both of my grandfathers are veterans. They served in the Korea war (on my mom’s side), and the Vietnam war (on my dad’s side). I think a way to promote peace would be to take away money. People could serve people with favors or trade. Many people fight over money, weather it be armies or children. People would learn to be peaceful with others, and they would treat each other with respect. But, that is just an idea. Do you think taking away money would help, or harm?

  12. Hi Mrs. Donofrio,
    I do know a veteran actually two of them. One of was my opa (thats what I call my grandpa) and when he was in the war he was in a tank. The other one who lives in Florida and is 93 years old was a gunner a big plane but I don’t remember which war. I think that one way to promote world peace is to learn how to get along and learn to forgive. Do you know any veterans?

  13. Hey Mrs.Donofrio,
    My dad is a veteran. My great grandpa was a veteran. He actually died on veterans day in 2006. They impacted me a lot because because I knew that people were fighting for our country. My dad was in the desert storm and I believe my great grandpa was in World War 2. I could promote peace if I see someone bullying another person I could stand up for him. I could also pray for world peace. Do you know any veterans?

  14. Hi Mrs. Donofrio,
    Both my great-uncles are veterans. Every single veteran’s services have made it possible for many people to stand on their homeland soil and be free to choose, if it’s religion, career, education, etc. However, some people cannot do that, which isn’t what should be happening. Although I’m not old enough to fight for peace physically, anyone could stand up and end war, including me. Everyone has a possible way to communicate, by voice, by the Internet, or even by using sign language. Malala used blogging to get attention towards what is going on in Pakistan and almost started a battle herself, but with words, not actions. If Malala’s blog influenced the world so much, how do you think blogging and speaking up could influence in the future?

  15. Dear Mrs. Donofrio,
    I really love the picture that you posted of the veterans honoring others that have died while surving our country.It looks like a very meaningfull photo.

  16. Hi Mrs. Donofrio,

    I do know a veteran, he’s my grandfather. His service has impacted me a lot! I am very proud of him! Just to know that one of my relatives served for our country is awesome! I can promote peace in our world by coming up with some ways to earn money like having a fundraiser for the people in Southern Sudan or for the Malala Crusade. I also could gather a group of people to say the Rosary with me, asking for peace throughout the world. What’s one way you could promote peace to our world Mrs. Donofrio?
    Evan

  17. Hello Mrs. Donofrio
    I do know a veteran. Last year we had to do a project, and interview a veteran. I chose Mr. Geonopolis. I think that what they have done has a huge impact on me because if we didn’t have any veterans there would be no one to defend our country. I can pray the rosary and invite family members and friends to pray and also go to church. Do you know any veterans. What kind of impact do they have on you.

  18. Hi Mrs Donofrio

    I do know someone that is a veteran.
    He is in the marines. he has put an impact on my life by telling me that if you work together you can get the job done

    I can promote peace into the world by helping the community.

  19. Hey Kids!
    Thanks for all of your great posts about veterans you know. My dad and three of his brothers are all veterans, although none of them served during a time of war. My dad was in the navy and spent his time in the service in the Middle East on a ship called the USS Lloyd Thomas. I think I have some old post cards that he wrote to his parents during his tour there. I will look for them and show them to you. Like you, I also did a report on a veteran when I was in the 7th grade. My grandfather’s cousin had been in WWII, also in the navy, and I interviewed him. I know Mr. Mackey and his wife are also veterans. The dad of the girl I am sponsoring for Confirmation just returned from Afghanistan. That was his fourth tour of duty. Not only is life hard for the service men and women, it is hard for their families who are waiting at home for their safe return.
    Whenever I see someone in their military uniform, I try to say thank you. I also try to pray for them, but probably not as often as I should. We fly our American flag at our house every day, too.
    Praying for peace is a wonderful way to promote peace. As you know, we are working on a fundraiser, too, for a well in Sudan. On a small scale, trying to promote peace in our classroom and at my home is helpful, too. It’s important that we learn how to get along with people who are different from us and that we learn to solve conflicts calmly. Reading and learning to see things from other people’s points-of-view helps in this process.
    Peace,
    Mrs. Donofrio

  20. Hey there,
    I know four people who are veterans. A very close friend of my family (practically family), Ally fueled air craft carriers, she was in the Navy for 8 years and she is still in service. My Great Grandfather was a pilot in WWII, Uncle Don in the Vietnam War, and my Grandfather who was in the New York National Guard (for 8 years.) My Grandparents friend Mr. Max was in the English Army in London, and my neighbor Mr. Anderson was in the coastguard. Also my Grandfathers dispatcher’s son is in the U.S Navy. I am so happy that they all returned safely. My grandmother once told me a story about her father and being in WWII. My grandmother was born while he was in service and when he came back from the war and met my grandmother when she was just 5 months old. After my Great Grandfather returned from the war my grandmother got 5 siblings. Two brothers and three sisters. My Great grandfather has told me so many stories about the war and I am grateful for that because it helps me more understand what many people did for freedom.

    My great grandmother passed away from a blood clot in 2007. She had been married to my Great Grandfather for 63 years. I visit him every Sunday I have a change but my Great Grandfather has never been the same since then. While he can have a good time, he still is just not the person he used to be. I guess nobody would be after losing their best friend of 63 years. Every time I ask him how he’s doing I get the same answer EVERY time “Tolerable.”

    I can promote peace in the world by donating to charities or explain the cost to have peace in the world. Many people sacrificed their lives so that we would be able to be free, and lastly I can pray. Prayer is probably one of the strongest ways to promote peace, in my opinion. In your opinion, what is the best and strongest way to promote peace?

    ~Heather

  21. Hi Mrs. Donofrio!

    I do know some veterans. My great uncle bill served in the navy for a while, no quite sure how long he served our country for though, I think a way for anyone to promote peace in our world is to use their mouth not their actions. Also, my friend is in training with the military to disable bombs! I’ve known him for a very long time and that makes me pray for peace even more. Do you know anyone who is currently in the army, navy, marines, ect?

  22. Hello Mrs. D!
    We pledge to our flag every morning and most of us don’t pay attention to what we are really saying. We are distracted by things that are really not important, like if we didn’t do our homework last night, or we just want to get through announcements and go to school. When we pledge to the flag we should think about the words that we are saying, and the people who have served our country, not our hair or our clothes. When we say the pledge, we are pledging to our country, what we stand for! But if we’re not saying it, we don’t mean it.
    ~Katie

  23. Hi Mrs. Donofrio,
    My great grand father was a solider. Sadly i don’t remember much about him but i here my mother talk about him once and awhile. I think a way to promote peace is not to put a fundraiser to it or tell people to peaceful but actually be peaceful your self inside as well as out. For as that you know can be fixed because you can hope but only they themselves can change.

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