The Greatest Gift We Can Give Our Veterans

Over the years, I have had the joy and honor of interviewing many veterans of World War II and the Vietnam War, along with several wives of veterans. When these heroes reflect on their early education and where their patriotic roots formed, every single one says that the home and public school are where they truly learned to love their country and respect the God of this nation.

No matter what part of the country they attended public school, they each said their school day began the same way.

Prayer.

Pledge of Allegiance.

Scripture.

Patriotic songs.

“The day always began with prayer, and then the Pledge of Allegiance was a must,” remembered 102-year-old Ruth Dawson, sincere patriot and wife of a veteran. “We all proudly stood, saluted, and recited it together. A teacher or student would then read the Scripture aloud that was assigned the prior day. Once the patriotic songs were sung, we began our day.”

After hearing the dreaded news of the attack on Pearl Harbor, over half of her senior class left to serve in WW2. “It was so sad. So sad to see them go, but we all knew America was worth fighting for.”

Before Clemmie Brown’s young husband left for WWII, she said he had never been away from home and had no idea what to expect of war. However, since he had been taught from a young age to love and appreciate America, he was ready and willing to serve. Because she also loved America, she knew her duty was to let him go. “Patriotism meant everything to him,” she said.
Alvin Coleman, age 99, still vividly remembers his fifth-grade teacher requiring them to learn Psalm 121, the very scripture that later sustained him during war. “We were taught in high school that faith and patriotism go hand in hand,” he said. “That’s why we never questioned whether we would defend our freedoms.”
“We wanted to serve,” said the late Dr. Buford Usry, who was wounded in Iwo Jima. “We were taught daily to deeply love this nation, and we were willing to do whatever it took to keep evil far away from our families.”
Col. Smitty Harris, Col. Lee Ellis, and Lt. Col. Gene Smith endured the unthinkable as prisoners of war after their aircrafts were shot down during the Vietnam War. The memory verses they learned as children in church and public school (particularly Psalm 23) brought hope to them in their dark, lonely cells. These three heroes also credited their public schools for laying their patriotic foundation as children that led to the pride, boldness, and courage that allowed them to face their enemies with honor amidst humiliation, suffering, and the threat of death. During their long years of imprisonment, these men, along with the other POWs, bravely held church services, defiantly sang the National Anthem, and encouraged each other after torture sessions by using the Tap Code to tap “GBU” – God bless you.

“When I became a Christian, I knew I would be asked to suffer,” said Col. Lee Ellis. “When I became captured in enemy territory, I was prepared to suffer. It wasn’t easy, but the Lord was with us, and I wouldn’t change a thing. I would do it all again for my country.”

“Students need to know their history. If you know your history, you are willing to fight for your country,” said the late Jack James, survivor of Okinawa. “I wish schools would teach the Bible and patriotism like they once did.”

Patriotism Must Begin at Home

Sadly, patriotism is not only absent in most schools today, but it is intentionally given very little attention. Daily prayer has been removed. The Pledge of Allegiance has been ignored altogether in most schools. Scripture, the once cornerstone for American education, is no longer welcome. Very few students know and respect the patriotic songs that bonded us together and gave us pride in the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Though we pray for revival for our land and a change in our education system, we must also recognize patriotism is absent in many homes across America as well. Families have either become too busy enjoying their freedoms, or parents have become too entitled, indoctrinated by universities, or ignorant altogether because of a lack of their own education in patriotism.

If our desire is to continue living in the residual blessings of all who have fought for our freedom, children need to know why America was founded, what the Constitution protects, how ordinary people have sacrificed for their freedom, and Who has blessed this nation from its beginning.

Students should also be made aware that this nation is not a perfect nation. We have made mistakes. In recognizing our mistakes, we also learn that each generation has a responsibility to improve and preserve our liberties.

The good news is that parents do not have to be history teachers or civics experts to make a difference. They simply must be intentional.

Giving Children the Tools to Understand America

Thankfully, through the American Cornerstone Institute, Dr. Ben Carson has created a free educational resource designed primarily for kindergarten through fifth grade students. This rich program includes printable lesson materials, digital courses, engaging educational cartoons, and activities that make learning about America enjoyable and easily accessible.

My children love the Star-Spangled Adventure series that introduces important historical figures, events, and ideas. After watching an episode, they always ask to watch another or even repeat that one.

Parents can use the Little Patriots materials as part of their homeschool curriculum, a supplement to what their children are learning in public or private school, or a means to simply spend time learning with their children and open doors for conversation.

An Opportunity for Young Patriots to Shine

Launched in celebration of America’s 250^th anniversary, another exciting opportunity for families is the Little Patriots Civics Bee. Also designed for kindergarten through fifth grade, this competition gives students an opportunity to put their knowledge of their country into action. Children will participate through age-appropriate projects based on their grade level. Younger children create artwork and share what they love about America, while older elementary students respond to questions about patriotism and the importance of civics education. Entries are due by December 15 and will also include a short video in which students explain their artwork in their own words.

Regional winners can receive recognition and advance along their grade-level competition paths, with the opportunity for qualifying fourth and fifth graders to compete at the national championship in Washington, D.C. in the spring of 2027.

This is a wonderful opportunity to encourage patriotism and create thinkers instead of children who merely memorize historical facts and dates.

The Gift that Keeps on Giving

As I think back on the precious veterans and patriots I have interviewed, no matter what they endured or how they were treated, they unanimously say America is still worth fighting for, and they would serve again at a moment’s notice – even if they were too frail to stand on their own.

When I asked what their advice to younger Americans would be, they each said they would encourage Americans to turn back and honor God, teach their children of the sacrifices made, and protect our freedoms at all costs.

The lessons they learned as children were carried into foxholes of Iwo Jima, dank prison cells of Vietnam, muddy caves of Okinawa, battleships crossing foreign waters, and communities in America who were void of their protectors. Though they silently carry the wounds and memories of war every day, they still adamantly love America and wish that their efforts and the ones who never returned would not be in vain.

We could never repay our heroes for what they sacrificed, but we can honor them long after Veterans Day by ensuring the next generation understands why their sacrifices mattered. The greatest gift we can give our veterans is a generation of children who know their history, appreciate their freedoms, respect our laws and defenders, and understand that our republic is exceptional and will only remain “if we can keep it.”