Hero Cards

The Grateful Nation Project on “Our American Stories” podcast: Captain Daniel Nimham

Listen online to Our American Stories (October 25, 2024): The Native American Who Fought Alongside George Washington—Daniel Nimham (8 minutes), or on your favorite podcast platform: Apple Podcasts | iHeart | Spotify

Hosted by Lee Habeeb, the Our American Stories podcast has invited The Grateful Nation Project to contribute recordings of our Heroes’ biographies! OAS is a highly-regarded and popular podcast—also heard on 400+ affiliate radio stations—whose purpose is “Telling the Story of America to Americans.”

This episode tells the story of Daniel Nimham (Hero 187, Card Pack 16), a diplomat, a warrior, and the last sachem (leader) of the Wappinger tribe in New York’s Hudson Valley. He fought alongside Gen. George Washington, joining the cause for freedom.

The Grateful Nation Project on “Our American Stories” podcast: Lieutenant Thomas E. Selfridge

Listen online to Our American Stories (September 25, 2024): The Story of The First Man To Die In an Airplane Crash (11 minutes), or on your favorite podcast platform: Apple Podcasts | iHeart | Spotify

Hosted by Lee Habeeb, the Our American Stories podcast has invited The Grateful Nation Project to contribute recordings of our Heroes’ biographies! OAS is a highly-regarded and popular podcast—also heard on 400+ affiliate radio stations—whose purpose is “Telling the Story of America to Americans.”

Our first contribution tells the story of Thomas Etholen Selfridge (Hero 26, Card Pack 3), one of the pioneers of mechanized flight who—at age 26—was responsible for some significant “firsts.”

Armed Forces Bank’s “Militarily Speaking” podcast calls attention to The Grateful Nation Project

Hosts Tom McLean and Jodi Vickery discuss The Grateful Nation Project with President & Founder Craig Du Mez.

Listen to Militarily Speaking, Episode 61 (40 minutes) on the Armed Forces Bank website, or your favorite podcast platform: Apple Podcasts | Audible | Blubrry | iHeart | Spotify | YouTube

The Standard Banner (TN) - Preserving Freedom: The Grateful Nation Project

By Steve Marion – ‘Grateful Nation Project’ connects students with local military heroes

Read the feature article (used with permission) >

Major General Leslie Purser, USA, Retired, shows Maury Middle School student Caroline Coates information about the “Grateful Nation Project” that will make research information available to her school. With them is School Board member Doug Ibbetson, who is also spearheading the project. Photo courtesy of Steve Marion | The Standard Banner. Used with permission.

Hero Cards to expand the Grateful Nation Project, reduce costs by ending monthly print runs and annual memberships

Due to inflation and the rising cost of paper, ink, and shipping, Hero Cards is moving away from doing a monthly printing of cards. The production of Hero Cards and stories will continue! But we’re combining the monthly printings into a few larger print runs each year—which will greatly reduce the cost of producing cards.

Besides inflation, another factor in this strategy is the growth of our Grateful Nation Project for schools and Veterans groups. There is an enormous opportunity to get these Heroes’ stories into more Americans’ hands, and we will be dedicating our efforts to expanding the Project nationwide. We believe that the Grateful Nation Project presents the most promising opportunity to share the stories of those who gave “the last full measure of devotion” for our freedom—with more Americans.

What’s happening with my Hero Cards membership?

We certainly value the support of our faithful members! Options for members include:

  • We can complete your membership year (12 Card Packs) by sending earlier Card Packs, or…

  • We will refund the remaining balance of your membership.

Members will receive an email requesting your preference.

Will Hero Card still be available if I’m not a school or Veterans organization?

Yes! The September LOYALTY Card Pack (cards 193-204) will be the last monthly printing. Previous monthly printings—Card Packs 1-17—will remain available for purchase from our Online Store while inventories last and reprinted as demand dictates.

As more Hero Cards and accompanying stories are added, we’ll be making those available from the Online Store as well—just not on a monthly basis or in the form of annual memberships. Whether future Card Packs will be in groups of 12, 50, 100, etc. is yet to be determined.

For those of you who would like to continue your Hero Cards collections, we’ll send out notices each time a new printing of cards occurs. Be sure to sign up for our e-updates so you never miss an announcement!

I believe in the Hero Cards mission. How can I help?

Our mission remains unchanged! We’re excited to continue producing these Heroes’ stories, to ramp up the expansion of our Grateful Nation Project, and to share their stories with more people! You can help the Project expand by contacting your local teachers, school admins, school districts, and Veterans organizations (American Legion/VFW post, for instance) and asking them to participate. Use this link to explain the Grateful Nation Project: www.herocards.us/schools.

Questions? Contact info@herocards.us

The production of Hero Cards and accompanying online stories will continue, with larger but less frequent print runs.

Hero Cards, Grateful Nation Project featured on The Counter Culture Mom Show

On The Counter Culture Mom Show, former actress and Hollywood media expert Tina Griffin “explores the impact of popular video games, entertainment and social media and equips parents to safely navigate the pop-culture chaos and protect the foundational development of our children.” Tina’s show has been featured on NBC, American Family Radio, Sirius XM, Fox News, ABC News, The Washington Post…and more. Hero Cards and the Grateful Nation Project are featured on The Counter Culture Mom Show, Episode (428).

Students in 90 Knox County schools to connect with Heroes through the Grateful Nation Project

KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE – June 16, 2023 – Local officials, Veterans, and supporters of Knox County  students gathered at Knoxville’s West High School auditorium to unveil six new Hero Cards. The cards feature six East Tennessee service members who gave “the last full measure of devotion” to our country.

Members of the six Heroes’ families were on hand to participate in the unveiling and to receive a commemorative display from Hero Cards Benefit Corp.

The event highlighted sponsorship of the Grateful Nation Project for 90 schools in Knox County, funded by the Vietnam Veterans of America (Captain Bill Robinson Chapter 1078). The day’s keynote speaker was Captain (ret.) Bill Robinson, a U.S. Air Force veteran who was held as a Prisoner of War for nearly six years in Vietnam.

Eddie Mannis, Founder of HonorAir Knoxville, addresses the audience at the June 16 Hero Cards presentation.

The day’s activities were organized by the office of Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs, District Curriculum Specialist John Faulconer, and the East Tennessee Veterans Memorial Association (ETVMA). 

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Watch the video from the office of Knox County Mayor, Glenn Jacobs

“Often when we have days like Memorial Day and we look at monuments and we see the names of people who have died in service to this country,” said Knox County Mayor, Glenn Jacobs,” But we don’t think about the story behind that. We just see the names. And I think that anytime we can do things to reinforce the fact that these are real people—and they were ordinary people thrust into sometimes terrible circumstances—that did extraordinary things. So it’s not only about the individuals represented on these cards but also the values that they embody.”

The six featured Heroes are:

First Sergeant Milo Lemert (Hero 118)
First Lieutenant Alexander Bonnyman, Jr. (Hero 121)
Second Lieutenant Jane M. Blevins (Hero 122)
Sergeant Thomas Roy Hicks (Hero 129)
Staff Sergeant Ryan Knauss (Hero 133)
Captain Marcus R. Alford, Sr. (Hero 134)

The Freeman - Waukesha County: Students pay tribute to fallen heroes

By Chris Barlow – Grateful Nation Project connects students with personal stories of American service men, women

Read the feature article >

LCCA 5th-grade student Catherine Butz and her Hero Card.

Students explore the lives of fallen service members at Lake Country Classical Academy

Hero Cards’ Grateful Nation Project aims to connect students to those who gave “the last full measure of devotion”

OCONOMOWOC, WISCONSIN – May 17, 2023 – When Lake Country Classical Academy (LCCA) in Oconomowoc began implementing the “Grateful Nation Project” in early May, each 3rd-10th grade student was handed a Hero Card picturing a U.S. soldier, sailor, or airman who gave “the last full measure of devotion” for their country.

Students were tasked with learning more about that individual and are given the option to present at the school’s student assemblies.

Lake Country Classical Academy students (L-R) Elliya Alexander, Theo Gill, and Blake Samson with their Hero Cards, participating in the “Grateful Nation Project.”

“We feel that the Grateful Nation Project is a good opportunity for our K-10th grade students to gain a better understanding and appreciation for what citizenship and patriotism really mean—by hearing the personal stories of these American servicemen and women who made the ultimate sacrifice,” said LCCA Head Principal Margaret Daigneau. “Through student presentations each morning throughout the month of May, we’re learning about the lives of real American heroes.”

The Grateful Nation Project from Hero Cards is a program for schools, designed to connect students to those who gave their lives in service of the country, from the Revolutionary War to the present day. Each card has a service member’s image, basic information, and a brief part of their story—along with a number for a website bio page with source links.

Each Hero Card has one fallen service member’s image and basic information, leading to a more detailed online story.

“There’s a tendency for even the best school curricula to cover our nation’s history in a very general way,” said Craig Du Mez, co-founder of Hero Cards. “We learn about the politics, the geography, the strategies of war. Our aim is to introduce students to the individuals who put their lives on the line so we can live as a free people. It’s so important to understand that these heroes are real people with real families. We’re not trying to glorify war, the military, or even these individuals. But we do need to understand what they did, and the proper response is one of gratitude. LCCA clearly understands that.”

The school also has students introducing the heroes to the wider community. Prior to Memorial Day, each elementary student will place a flag on the lawn in front of the school. Third- through sixth-grade students will label their flag with their hero’s name and honor him/her individually in the display.

The Grateful Nation Project is available at herocards.us/schools and delivers a Hero Card that leads to an online bio story for $1 per student. Sponsors can be secured to bring the Project to schools at no cost.

Hero Cards honor the sacrifices made by every member of the U.S. military—from the Revolutionary War to present day—who lost their life while serving.

About Lake Country Classical Academy

Lake Country Classical Academy is a public, tuition-free, teacher-led, K-12 charter school, providing a content-rich, classical education in the liberal arts and sciences, with instruction in the principles of moral character and civic virtue. The LCCA West Campus (grades 7-10) is located in Oconomowoc, WI, and the East Campus (grades K-6) in Okauchee, WI. For more information, visit lakecountryclassical.org.

About Hero Cards

Hero Cards Benefit Corporation’s mission is to honor the sacrifices made by every member of the U.S. military who lost their life while serving. The organization is creating a Hero Card for every fallen service member, and a permanent online archive to preserve each of their stories for future generations. Hero Cards are designed and made in the USA. For more information, visit herocards.us.

Press Contacts:
Craig Du Mez
Hero Cards Benefit Corporation
Margaret Daigneau
Lake Country Classical Academy

The U.S. Navy History Podcast interviews Hero Cards founders Dale Kooyenga and Craig Du Mez

Dale Robertson and co-host Steve interview Founders Dale Kooyenga and Craig Du Mez about the Hero Cards concept, origins, the process of honoring Heroes, and the new Grateful Nation Project for schools.

Listen to the podcast (29 minutes) >

New Grateful Nation Project leads students through veterans’ “true Hero” stories

VETERAN-FOCUSED ORGANIZATIONS COMBINE TO PROVIDE STUDY TOOLS FOR EDUCATORS

WAUKESHA, WISCONSIN – October 4, 2022 – Two organizations are joining forces to produce a new “Grateful Nation Project,” aimed at connecting students to the real people who gave “the last full measure of devotion” for our freedom. The Unquiet Professional is a non-profit organization that serves the needs of Gold Star and Surviving Families. The Hero Cards Benefit Corp. catalogs and honors the sacrifices made by U.S. military members who lost their lives while serving their country.

“We saw the need to develop a national program for the classroom,” says Krista Simpson Anderson, Co-founder/President of The Unquiet Professional, and Gold Star Wife. “We believe the Grateful Nation Project is ideal for the weeks leading up to Memorial Day and will reach students at a deeper level—and re-focus Americans to never forget the sacrifices made for our freedom. Students will get to know a true hero as a real person with a real story.”

Boy with Hero Cards

The Grateful Nation Project introduces students to those who gave “the last full measure of devotion.”

The Grateful Nation 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.

“We see a great need to bring some patriotism back to the classroom,” says Dale Kooyenga, CEO & Founder of Hero Cards, and veteran of the War in Iraq. “Through the Grateful Nation Project, we make it easy for educators to have students report on 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.”

Hero Cards with Online Story

Each Hero Card has one fallen service member’s image and basic information, leading to a more detailed online story.

The Grateful Nation Project delivers a Hero Card and online story for $1 per student. Kooyenga adds, “We’ve kept the cost very low to make it easy on curriculum budgets. We will also coordinate with schools, districts, or home school associations to secure sponsors and cover the cost.” The Project’s costs cover the production of the Hero Cards.

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. To sponsor or obtain The Grateful Nation Project for your school, receive help securing a sponsor, or a list of implementation suggestions, visit www.herocards.us/schools.

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About Hero Cards

Hero Cards Benefit Corporation is veteran-owned and is committed to having more than 50% of its employees be current Guardsmen, Reservists, or Veterans. Our Mission is to honor the sacrifices made by every member of the U.S. military who lost their life while serving. We are creating a Hero Card for every fallen service member, and a permanent online archive to preserve each of their stories for future generations. Hero Cards are designed and made in the USA. For more information, visit www.herocards.us.

About the Unquiet Professional

The Unquiet Professional is a registered 501(c)3 charitable organization committed to recognizing, honoring, and empowering our nation’s Gold Star & Surviving Families, Veterans, and military families by providing purposeful opportunities to heal from the wounds of war. Through awareness initiatives and empowering support programs, The Unquiet Professional is committed to making noise for those who serve. Founded by Krista Simpson Anderson and Andrea Rinaldi, The Unquiet Professional is in honor of Michael H. Simpson, the loudest Green Beret they ever knew. SSG Simpson succumbed to wounds from an improvised explosive device attack in Afghanistan while serving with 1st Special Forces Group. He is laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery. For more information, visit www.theunquietprofessional.org.

Press Contact
Craig Du Mez
Hero Cards Benefit Corporation

Adrienne Pedersen, WISN 12 TV (Milwaukee) UPFRONT segment: ‘Hero Cards’ honors fallen war heroes.

“A new way this Memorial Day weekend to honor our servicemen and women, ‘Hero Cards’ has launched. Think baseball trading cards but featuring service members and their stories. The goal is to target a younger generation and to keep the stories alive for generations to come.”

UPFRONT WISN 12 TV, with Adrienne Pedersen, Dale Kooyenga, Craig Du Mez

WISN 12 TV’s Adrienne Pedersen discusses the Hero Cards project with Dale Kooyenga and Craig Du Mez.

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Years ago, Dale Kooyenga wanted something meaningful to hand out at a parade. Now, he’s launched Hero Cards.

“After more than a decade in politics, state Sen. Dale Kooyenga is diving into a passion project that has nothing to do with bills or budgets. Instead, it's all about honoring those who served and sacrificed in America's wars.”

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporter Bill Glauber, along with photojournalist Mark Hoffman, tell the story behind the Hero Cards project.

Craig Du Mez and Dale Kooyenga with Hero Cards

Photo by Mark Hoffman, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

New veteran-owned Hero Cards Benefit Corp. to honor fallen service members, educate students

PLANS INCLUDE EMPLOYING VETERANS, SUPPORTING VETERAN-FOCUSED NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS

WAUKESHA, WISCONSIN – March 31, 2022 – A new, veteran-owned “Hero Cards” project has been launched, with an ambitious mission: To honor the sacrifices made by every member of the U.S. military, from the Revolutionary War to the present-day, who lost their lives while serving their country.

“If you ask a child about heroes, it’s likely their answer will include athletes, entertainers, or even comic book superheroes,” said Dale Kooyenga, Hero Cards Founder, CEO, and veteran of the War in Iraq. “We believe there’s a great need to teach students and adults alike about true heroes who, as Abraham Lincoln put it, gave ‘the last full measure of devotion’ for our freedom.”

To appeal to a younger audience, the Hero Cards project has two main components: Printed packs of 12 Hero Cards are mailed each month to members, along with a display box that holds a full year of cards. Each card has one fallen service member’s image and basic information along with a brief part of their story. The second component is a permanent online tribute with a more detailed narrative description for each Hero.

12-Pack of Hero Cards with Display Box

Printed packs of 12 Hero Cards are mailed each month to members, along with a display box that holds a full year of cards.

“As time goes on, there’s a risk that a fallen service member’s sacrifice gets reduced to a statistic on a government report,” says Craig Du Mez, CMO and Co-Founder. “After a generation or two, the only remembrance besides that could be a name on a gravestone. The sacrifices made to purchase our freedoms are made by real people with real families who have real stories. We’re looking to present those stories in a compelling way, to ensure the true heroes are never forgotten.”

To achieve its educational mission, Hero Cards will employ veterans to do research, write, and create artwork for fallen service members with no known historical images. Besides hiring veterans as content developers, a portion of Hero Cards’ revenue will support various veteran-focused non-profit organizations. Memberships can be purchased or given as gifts from the company’s website: www.herocards.us.

About Hero Cards

Hero Cards Benefit Corporation is veteran-owned and is committed to having more than 50% of its employees be current Guardsmen, Reservists, or Veterans. Our Mission is to honor the sacrifices made by every member of the U.S. military who lost their life while serving. We are creating a Hero Card for every fallen service member, and a permanent online archive to preserve each of their stories for future generations. Hero Cards are designed and made in the USA. For more information, visit www.herocards.us.

Press Contact
Craig Du Mez
Hero Cards Benefit Corporation