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.”
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.”
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.
