Veterans Day

America's White Table by Margot Theis Raven describes the Veterans Day tradition of setting a table for the soldier who did not come home.  This tradition was established after the Vietnam War, when many families were unable to welcome their loved ones home because these soldiers were Prisoners of War or Missing in Action.  Each item in the place setting is a symbol, including the chair that won't be sat in, the overturned glass symboling the meal that won't be eaten, and the red rose that stands for the hope that someday the soldier might return home. Sixth graders learned what each item symbolized, and we arranged our own place setting to honor these heroes. It was a solemn book which made us think about and respect all our Veterans, both living and dead.

**************

Through the photographs and text, Tuesday Tucks Me In: The Loyal Bond Between a Soldier and His Service Dog tells about the relationship between a soldier named Luis and his service dog.  This true story explains how Tuesday helps Luis overcome a traumatic brain injury and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder he suffered after serving in Iraq. Tuesday helps Luis walk down stairs, fetch objects, and calm him when he becomes anxious when in a crowd or when it is noisy. Tuesday is adorable, and the special bond that he shares with Luis is touching. Luis' condition is a reminder of the sacrifices that many veterans have made while serving our country.





**************

Hero Dad is a sweet story about a boy who is comparing his dad, who is a soldier, to a superhero.  Each page makes a comparison: "He doesn't wear rocket-propelled boots--he wears Army boots" and "He doesn't wear a cloak that makes him invisible--he wears camouflage." The book ends with "My dad is an American soldier. My dad is a hero, my superhero." The story lends itself well to talk about real life heroes, and what traits they have and what jobs they might hold.  Students mentioned police officers and firefighters are heroes because they help people, and Hero Dad helps students remember that people serving our country are also helpers and heroes.

**************

Another war story involving a dog is called Rags: Hero Dog of WWI by Margot Theis Raven (same author as America's White Table). This book tells the true story of a stray dog who was found by Private James Donovan while stationed in Paris during World War I.  Even though there was no official canine division in the Army, Rags accompanied Donovan on the battlefield and assisted with delivering messages and sensing incoming shells before the soldiers did. Rags and Donovan were very devoted and protective of each other, and Rags was hailed as the hero mascot of the First Division.  Another fine example of how dogs have played an important role in protecting our safety and freedom. 

**************

Veterans: Heroes in Our Neighborhood starts out with a teacher asking the students to name a veteran they knew.  A boy and his Dad took a walk through town, and the father pointed out the many people living in the town who served their country.  There is Frank the barber, who was a sailor at Pearl Harbor, the nurse Jacqueline who cared for wounded soldiers when she served in Desert Storm, and Ernie the firefighter who served in the Air Force. On the endpapers are photographs and biographical information of real life veterans that the author Valerie Pfundstein knows from her town.  Another great opportunity for students to realize that there are people who served our country that they see every day in their own town!