While there are a number of fun activities that you can share with your class this Veteran's Day, I believe that the best way to honor our veterans is by helping your students make a personal connection. Have your students write to a service man or woman. Bring a veteran in to speak to your class.
I remember many years ago when I invited a World War II veteran to speak to my sixth grade class. It was the most inspiring speech I have ever heard. He had been captured by the Japanese and sent to a prisoner of war camp in Japan where he experienced terrible hardships. He spoke of the day when the prisoners woke up and the guards were gone; The allies had won the war. They managed to signal some American planes, and supplies were dropped to the camp. Among the supplies was an American flag. He explained that they valued the flag even more than the food. "The food meant that we would stay alive. But so many of us had died. The flag meant that the country would live, and our sacrifice had meaning." He ended his talk by telling us that he had no anger or bitterness against his captors.
Actually meeting a soldier can bring the meaning of Veteran's Day alive for your students.
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