The Grateful Nation Project connects students to TRUE Heroes who gave “the last full measure of devotion” for our freedom.
What is it?
The Project delivers a Hero Card for every student. Each Hero Card has one fallen service member’s image, basic information, and a brief part of their story. The numbered card leads to a permanent online tribute with a more detailed narrative description for each Hero. The Project includes Heroes from Revolutionary War to the present day.
Through the Grateful Nation Project, we make it easy for educators to have students report on and celebrate real heroes who gave everything for our freedom. You often hear people say, ‘never forget’ on Memorial Day. We’re helping educators to act on that idea, and to help students get to know and celebrate true heroes. While the Project is an ideal fit for the weeks leading up to Memorial Day, gratitude for our freedom can be taught any time of the year! Read the press release >
Why do it?
The lessons of history can sometimes be reduced to dates and events. But the sacrifices made to purchase our freedoms are made by real people with real families…who have real stories. Freedom is not free. We can never repay those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in preserving for us the rights, privileges, and freedoms we enjoy today. But we can preserve their stories for future generations—and truly be “a grateful nation.”
What does it cost?
The Grateful Nation Project delivers a Hero Card and online story for $1 per student. We’ve kept the cost very low to make it easy on curriculum budgets. We will also coordinate with schools, school districts, or home school associations to secure sponsors and cover the cost. The Project’s costs cover the production of the Hero Cards.
Sponsorship
Schools or school districts can purchase the Grateful Nation Project themselves, or acquire sponsors to help with the cost. Sponsors can include local businesses, community groups, veteran or parent organizations—or even individuals interested in teaching the next generation about the American struggle for liberty. If you need help finding a sponsor, let us know on the form below.
The Grateful Nation Project introduces students to those who gave “the last full measure of devotion.”
Each Hero Card has one fallen service member’s image and basic information, leading to a more detailed online story.
Implementation Suggestions
Invite Gold Star Family members or veterans’ groups (local American Legion or VFW post) to pass the Hero Cards out to students, and to tell their own stories.
Have students find three facts about the Hero that are not mentioned on the Hero’s online story page (use source links at the bottom of the page).
Have students give a presentation or written report about the Hero, or some aspect of the Hero’s story (the conflict, the particular battle, etc.).
Invite students to research and Submit a Hero family member who gave “the last full measure of devotion.” (noting the need for immediate family permission from an adult—for Heroes lost in recent decades).
Case Study: Knox County (TN) Schools >
Case Study: Lake Country Classical Academy (WI)>
Request information
If you’re a school or other student organization, and would like to implement the Grateful Nation Project, please provide your information here and a representative will contact you. We’ll help you make arrangements for sponsorships, if needed!
Sponsor a School
Whether you have a school, school district or other organization in mind—or would like us to match your sponsorship to a school on our list—please provide your information here, and a representative will contact you to make the arrangements.
