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Give Me Liberty Speech
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Onward Christian Soldiers Listen & Lyrics PDF File Worksheet |
Am I A Soldier of the Cross Listen & Lyrics PDF File Worksheet |
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My Country Tis of Thee Listen & Lyrics PDF File Worksheet |
O Beautiful For Spacious Skies Listen & Lyrics PDF File Worksheet |
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Star-Spangled Banner Listen & Lyrics PDF File Worksheet |
God Bless America Listen & Lyrics PDF File Worksheet |
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Grand Ol' Flag Listen & Lyrics PDF File Worksheet |
Stars and Stripes Forever Listen & Lyrics PDF File Worksheet |
Salute to the Armed Forces by John Philip Sousa !
Literature
See Veterans Day Poetry for pieces specifically about the soldier and from the soldier
Patriotic Prose / Poetry Interesting, hard to locate items !
Patriotic Poems More patriotic poems for your celebrations !
Flag Day Poems Patriotic poems just about the flag !
The Military Oath
I do solemnly swear
that I will bear true faith and allegience to the United States
of America;
that I will serve them honestly and faithfully against all their
enemies whomsoever;
and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United
States and the orders of the officers appointed over me,
according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
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Today you have become a citizen of the United States of America. You are no longer an Englishman, a Frenchman, an Italian, a Pole. Neither are you a hyphenated-American -- a Polish-American, an Italian-American. You are no longer a subject of a government. Henceforth, you are an integral part of this Government -- a free man -- a Citizen of the United States of America. This citizenship, which has been solemnly conferred on you, is a thing of the spirit -- not of the flesh. When you took the oath of allegiance to the Constitution of the United States, you claimed for yourself the God-given unalienable rights which that sacred document sets forth as the natural right of all men. You have made sacrifices to reach this desired goal. We, your fellow citizens, realize this, and the warmth of our welcome to you is increased proportionately. However, we would tincture it with friendly caution. As you have learned during these years of preparation, this great honor carries with it the duty to work for and make secure this longed-for and eagerly-sought status. Government under our Constitution makes American citizenship the highest privilege and at the same time the greatest responsibility of any citizenship in the world. The important rights that
are now yours and the duties and responsibilities attendant thereon
are set forth elsewhere in this manual. It is hoped that they
will serve as a constant reminder that only by continuing to
study and learn about your new country, its ideals, achievements,
and goals, and by everlastingly working at your citizenship can
you enjoy its fruits and assure their preservation for generations
to follow. [from: Basic Guide to Naturalization and Citizenship, Immigration and Naturalization Service, U.S. Department of Justice] |
Veterans Day began as a result of World War I and enacted in Congress on June 4, 1926.
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WHEREAS the 11th of November 1918,
marked the cessation of the most destructive, sanguinary, and far reaching war in human annals and the resumption by the people of the United States of peaceful
relations with other nations, which we hope may never again be
served, and WHEREAS it is fitting that the recurring anniversary of this date should be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations; and WHEREAS the legislatures of twenty-seven of our States have already declared November 11 to be a legal holiday: Therefore be it Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), That the President of the United States is requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the officials to display the flag of the United States on all Government buildings on November 11 and inviting the people of the United States to observe the day in schools and churches, or other suitable places, with appropriate ceremonies of friendly relations with all other peoples. |
Initially, this day was known as "Armistice Day" and on May 13, 1938, it became a legal holiday to be observed every November 11th. In 1954, many held that the heroic struggle of the veterans of World War II and Korea needed to be acknowledged. Therefore, the term "armistice" was removed and replaced with veteran.
President Dwight D. Eisenhower issued the first Veterans Day Proclamation on 8 October 1954 ...
| In order to insure proper and widespread observance of this anniversary, all veterans, all veterans' organizations, and the entire citizenry will wish to join hands in the common purpose. Toward this end, I am designating the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs as Chairman of a Veterans Day National Committee, which shall include such other persons as the Chairman may select, and which will coordinate at the national level necessary planning for the observance. I am also requesting the heads of all departments and agencies of the Executive branch of the Government to assist the National Committee in every way possible. |
Activity Ideas
1) A special get together with family, friends, and church family is always wonderful. Perhaps, a formal ceremony could occur where the young men of the group (ages 13 and up) could present the colors (the Christian Flag and the American Flag) with all rising to sing "God Bless America," "Onward Christian Soldiers," and/or "Are You a Soldier of the Cross?" immediately followed with the pledge to the Christian flag and the pledge of allegiance. Each family, group of friends and church family usually has someone that can speak well, perhaps now would be the time to have them present a 15 minute discussion about why Veterans Day should be honored from a Christian worldview. If possible, encourage all to bring pictures or family momentos of any family member(s) that has served the United States during war as either a soldier or a support person. It is so important to our young people to recognize and be aware of how much others have sacrificed so they might have freedom today. Close the formal portion of the gathering with the oldest male (i.e., patriarch) leading prayer followed with everyone verbally saying the Lord's Prayer and/or the 23rd Psalm.
2) Interview veterans. If possible interview veterans and their families. You may want to take pictures of yourself with this special individual. Be sure to thank them and, perhaps, make a batch of brownies or some other homemade delicacy as an expression of gratefulness for their willingness to protect our country. Be sure to write up your story and attach your pictures to it and send a special copy to the veteran that took such time in this project!
3) Design a Veterans Day card expressing what you think about this holiday.
4) Posters ... encourage your homeschooling group or local Christian school to design Veterans Day posters expressing the meaning of this holiday and how important that it must be recognized to be posted at the local library, post office, community bulletin board, or other community places.
5) Write a paper on ... what it would be like to be a soldier in WWI, WWII, etc. .... what it would be like to be the family member waiting and praying for their soldier ... the heavy price of freedom and liberty ... etc.
6) Memorize Patrick Henry's Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death speech.
7) Make a collage of the various military branches in the United States of America ... Airforce, Navy, Marines, Merchant Marines, Army, Coast Guard ... and learn a little bit about each branch.
Vocabulary: veteran,cessation, sanguinary, annals, resumption, perpetuate, concurring, proclamation, armistice, allegiance
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God and the Soldier, we adore, In time of danger, not before. The danger passed and all things righted, God is forgotten and the Soldier slighted. --- Rudyard Kipling |
Movies
WWI
Sergeant York with Cary Cooper and Walter Brennan. Alvin C. York was a pacifist that became a patriot when he learned there are some things worth fighting for. Alvin C. York captured 132 German soldiers in Argonne, France, single handledly.
Yankee Doodle Dandy with Jimmy Cagney tells the story of George M. Cohan. It would be Cohan that would give WWI its musical theme song. Do you know what it is?
The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle with Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. Go through the struggles of a dance team that finally make it to "the big time" and World War I breaks out. See how the war impacts this dance team. (Note: Irene Castle was a consultant to this film).
Tin Pan Alley with Alice Faye, John Payne, Betty Grable and Jack Oakie is a wonderful song-filled movie. Distractions, frustrations, and hurt cause a split to occur between the Blane sisters (Alice Faye, Betty Grable) and two struggling song writers (John Payne, Jack Oakie); however, with World War I looming overhead, values become re-evaluated.
WWII
This is the Army with George Murphy, Ronald Reagan, Joan Leslie, Alan Hale, Kate Smith, Irving Berlin. Follow one family from WWI involvement to that of WWII. Learn of the concerns and fears of what a young soldier going to war might face. The music is by Irving Berlin with wonderful tunes like "Oh How I Hate to Get Up In the Morning" and Kate Smith singing "God Bless America."
Stage Door Canteen ... this film is jam packed with Hollywood stars of the 1930s-1940s doing their patriotic duty in New York City entertaining the troops.
Mrs. Miniver with Greer Garson and Walter Pigeon. Experience WWII with an English family. Great story.
For other movies, check our At the Movies page!
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It is the SOLDIER, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press. It is the SOLDIER, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech. It is the SOLDIER, not the campus organizers, who has given us the freedom to demonstrate. It is the SOLDIER, who salutes the flag, who serves the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, Who allows the protester to burn the flag. AMEN. |
Craft Ideas
1) Paper airplanes ... There are a variety of ways to make paper airplanes. From the most sophisticated to the clean lines of the most simple. However, you opt to make your airplanes, be sure to add patriotic designs !
2) Flags ... Can be made in a variety of ways .... (1) your child can make their own flag from markers or crayons; (2) coloring book pages of an American flag; (3) using construction paper (i.e., using a paper cutter to slice the red/white stripes, and cutting out 50 stars) .... however you opt to make your flag with your family, talk about how important freedom and liberty is and WHERE freedom and liberty comes from
3) Thank you letter to Veterans of Foreign Wars ... Too often we think of Veterans Day and yet forget the Veterans themselves!!! Why not encourage your family, friends and church family to write thank you letters and send them to your local Veterans of Foreign Wars or VFW Hall?
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O God, our Father, thou Searcher of men's hearts, help us to draw near to Thee in sincerity and truth. May our religion be filled with gladness and may our worship of Thee be natural. Strengthen and increase our admiration for honest dealing and clean thinking, and suffer not our hatred of hypocrisy and pre-tense ever to diminish. Encourage us in our endeavor to live above the common level of life. Make us to choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong, and never to be content with a half truth when the whole can be won. Endow us with courage that is born of loyalty to all that is noble and worthy, that scorns to compromise with vice and injustice and knows no fear when truth and right are in jeopardy. Guard us against flippancy and irreverence in the sacred things of life. Grant us new ties of friendship and new opportunities of service. Kindle our hearts in fellowship with those of a cheerful countenance, and soften our hearts with sympathy for those who sorrow and suffer. Help us to maintain the honor of the Corps untarnished and unsullied and to show forth in our lives the ideals of West Point in doing our duty to Thee and to our Country. All of which we ask in the Name of the Great Friend and Master of men. |
Menu Ideas
Main Dish: Victory Salad ... this is a type of tossed salad with the meat of your choice; white = eggs, red = tomatoes, blue = red cabbage (so, you will need to imagine this to be blue !)
During World War II, many households would have Victory Gardens which naturally led to Victory Salad. The idea behind the Victory Salad was to stretch the food budget
Drink: Some sort of pre-prepared blue drink with a cherry added
Dessert: chocolate cake with chocolate frosting ... several options exist here ... (1) use small American flags on tooth picks and apply to cake top; (2) if you are skilled, use red/white/blue icing to make your own patriotic design; (3) use red/white/blue candles; (4) very small red/white/blue "balloons" may be purchased inexpensively for the top of the cake
Quotes
Character
There are many character traits that could be mentioned that are required for soldiers and their families ... with courage being foremost !
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Courage - facing a fearful situation because it is right and honorable A. Courage manifested |
Why do you think there is this
saying, "All bullies are cowards"? Can
you give scriptural examples?
(Hint: Joseph's brothers Gen 42:21-28 ... there are many others)
Request: Does anybody have any special activites (craft, academic, or otherwise) for Veterans Day? If so, e-mail us your ideas by clicking here