Celebrating Veterans Day: The Impact of Recognizing Military Parents on Their Children

by John Reuter

Veterans Day holds a special place in the hearts of military families. For military children, having their mom or dad recognized on this day is a source of immense pride. Teachers and school administrators play a vital role in shaping this experience for these children, creating an environment where they feel seen and appreciated.

The Pride of Military Children

When a military parent is honored on Veterans Day, their child beams with pride. For many children in military families, their parent's service is an everyday reality. They witness the dedication, sacrifices, and values their parents embody, often experiencing unique challenges such as long deployments, frequent relocations, and changes in schools. Seeing their parent celebrated publicly on Veterans Day is a powerful moment of acknowledgment. It affirms the pride they carry for their family’s service and helps others understand the importance of the sacrifices they make.

The Role of Schools in Veterans Day Recognition

As educators, you have the unique opportunity to create a supportive environment that honors military families. By recognizing the service of military parents, schools not only support these children but also foster a culture of respect and gratitude for those who serve our nation. Including military children in Veterans Day assemblies, classroom discussions, and other activities can make them feel valued and highlight the significance of their family’s contribution.

Introducing the 2024 Teachers Resource Guide

To assist teachers in planning meaningful Veterans Day activities, we are proud to share the 2024 Teachers Resource Guide, courtesy of the Wisconsin Department of Veteran's Affairs. This guide offers various resources, including lesson plans, activities, and ideas to help students understand the importance of Veterans Day and to honor those who have served.

The guide emphasizes ways to include military children in these celebrations, helping them express their pride in their parents' service. Here are a few ideas from the guide to consider:

Personal Stories: Invite military parents or veterans in the community to share their stories with students. This allows children to hear firsthand accounts of service and builds a connection between their daily lives and the broader significance of Veterans Day.
Class Projects: Engage students in projects that honor veterans, such as writing letters of gratitude, creating art pieces, or compiling a “Wall of Heroes” in the school hallway featuring photos and stories of veterans connected to the school community.
Open Discussions: Provide a safe space for military children to share what Veterans Day means to them. Allowing students to talk about their parents’ service can be a meaningful way for them to express their pride and for their classmates to gain a deeper appreciation for the sacrifices made by military families.

Making Veterans Day Special for Military Families

For a military child, seeing their parent recognized on Veterans Day is a reminder of their family’s strength, resilience, and the values they hold dear. By incorporating activities and resources from the 2024 Teachers Resource Guide, schools can ensure that Veterans Day is a special occasion that honors not just the veterans but also the families who support them. Your efforts in acknowledging military families help build a sense of community and pride, reminding military children how important and valued their family’s contribution truly is.

For access to the 2024 Teachers Resource Guide and additional resources from the Wisconsin Department of Veteran's Affairs, click here. Let's work together to make this Veterans Day a memorable and affirming experience for all students, especially those from military families.

The Pride of Military Children

The Role of Schools in Veterans Day Recognition

Introducing the 2024 Teachers Resource Guide

The guide emphasizes ways to include military children in these celebrations, helping them express their pride in their parents' service. Here are a few ideas from the guide to consider:

Personal Stories: Invite military parents or veterans in the community to share their stories with students. This allows children to hear firsthand accounts of service and builds a connection between their daily lives and the broader significance of Veterans Day.
Class Projects: Engage students in projects that honor veterans, such as writing letters of gratitude, creating art pieces, or compiling a “Wall of Heroes” in the school hallway featuring photos and stories of veterans connected to the school community.
Open Discussions: Provide a safe space for military children to share what Veterans Day means to them. Allowing students to talk about their parents’ service can be a meaningful way for them to express their pride and for their classmates to gain a deeper appreciation for the sacrifices made by military families.