#1 I went to a Book Fair and found a remarkable new book about the American flag that survived the 9/11 attack, 30,000 Stitches.
It is the story of the 9/11 flag, how it was saved and how it was mended. I did not know about the many people who tenderly repaired the flag, and how that flag traveled to all 50 states. Stitchers are heroes.
#2 Pearl Harbor Day is December 7th. I remember the date every year, because of my parents and their Greatest Generation. This was the day that made heroes and united the country.
#3 The Army-Navy game was played this week. It inspires me every year. I was lucky to attend one game when our son was a Midshipman. The experience will never be forgotten. These are heroes on and off the field, a true ‘band of brothers’.
Army-Navy Football, It’s Far More Than a Game
Three patriotic heroes in one week is a ‘hat trick’ and a very good week.
Jennie
A Teacher's Reflections 
Amazing, Jennie!
Thanks, Ritu! 🥰
and a very powerful week! I’ve not heard of that book, but it sounds amazing. I remember pearl harbor day because of my father’s stories from the past. how lucky that you were able to attend an army/navy game and have a player in the family. an especially meaningful week for your family –
Yes, indeed! You will love the book, and it’s now up to us to keep the history alive, like our parents did for us. I had the author inscribe “never forget” when she signed the book. Thank you, Beth.
it really is and how wonderful, the inscription
Yes!
Yes, it has been a very good week, Jennie. Thank you for spreading patriotic cheer to your Readers and your students. Please shake your son’s hand when you see him, and give him my thanks.
Being the Army/Navy game is so close to my father’s birthday, I was rooting for Army.
Thanks so much, GP. I will do that! It was a great game, down to the last yard at the last second of the game. Of course you rooted for Army! 😀
hahaha
😀
Soon to be 11 year old #1 Grandson was rooting for Navy. His current passion…all things nautical and he wants to be an officer on a Navy ship when he grows up he says. 😀 Oh, the places they will go on their journey to adulthood!
Jacqui Murray has a blog to prepare people who want to enter the Naval Academy. If he’s still willing when it’s time, he should check it out!!
That is so good to hear about #1 Grandson! Thank you for telling me, Deborah. It is a wonderful calling, and our son was about the same age when he decided the same thing. To become an officer, he does ROTC in college, or he goes to the Naval Academy. I still keep in touch with the parents of our son’s shipmates. It’s been 20 years since he graduated and was commissioned, and 24 years since he was a Plebe. I can tell you so many stories! On the other hand, Hubby did ROTC in college, and then became an officer. Funny story- we went to see the movie “An Officer and a Gentleman”, and the words the Drill Instructor said to the recruits were exactly the same words he heard!
Thank you for sharing this
You are welcome.
Thank you for sharing Jennie.. Have a wonderful new week also xx ❤
You’re welcome, Sue. Best to you!
❤ and you Jennie x
Just ordered the book! I can’t wait to share it with my students
I’m so glad! Please let me know how it goes.
💜
I’m pretty sure I have seen this flag when I visited the Memorial with my sisters several years back. It was very moving!
Thanks for sharing about the book, Jennie. I love your book recommendations. 😍
Lucky you! I did not see the flag, and I didn’t know it was lovingly repaired and on tour to all the states until I read this book.
When my nephew got married in NYC, our hotel was at the foot of ground zero. We were ‘moved’. Then, we walked to the little church a few blocks away that remained intact, including no broken window panes, and became the resting place for the firefighters. The book is outstanding, and I also highly recommend “The Story of the John J. Harvey”, the fireboat that literally saved the day. Your #1 Grandson would love these books!
😀 #1 Grandson found a sea cadet summer camp late last summer he really, really wants to do this coming summer. It’s over an hours commute from their home so, we’ll see. He’s so serious about it he cut his hair! He’d been growing his out for 2 years to get it to be able to go into a queue like Alexander Hamilton’s. He finally made that goal this fall and now he’s down another rabbit hole all things Nautical and wanting to join the Navy. It’s such a joy and enlightening following him down these rabbit holes. We all learn so much as he shares what he learns through his self studying/learning.
I’ll pass along these book recommendations, and check them out myself. I’m thinking …stocking stuffer! 😍
Deborah, this is so exciting. When a child has a passion, a drive, support it! Of course I’m thrilled. If he really wants sea cadet summer camp, an hour’s drive is well worth supporting his passion. Those rabbit holes are wonderful. Okay, I’ll throw out another book, the one that our son adored. I’ve written posts about this book, The Star-Spangled Banner by Peter Spier. It may sound simple, but it’s not. The illustrations alone tell many stories. There are many more verses to the song, too. It’s a great book. Maybe read my blog posts on both books before deciding. Please keep me posted on #1 Grandson! Really.
I bought this book several years back on your recommendation. 😍It was their favorite book this past Thanksgiving out of all the books I took to read to them. They loved the tall ships in the book. They’ve been into tall ships all year and drawing and painting them.
Hooray!
In fact I was asked yesterday to bring it along for Christmas! BTW- I bought Fireboat and it arrived the following day. It’s wonderful! I needed a tissue. I read it to the boys over Facetime and they love it! I’m also taking that along for them. You share the best books! 😍
I am soooo excited that you’re sharing these books at Thanksgiving and Christmas! I remember exactly the spot where I was when I discovered Fireboat- the Eric Carle museum had an exhibit of the illustrator, but I didn’t know her books. Fortunately the museum always has the books at every exhibit. I flipped through the books and sat down to read Fireboat…OMG! Please let me know how your reading aloud goes at Christmas, live with the book(s). Thank you, Deborah. 💕
I had never heard of this. Thanks.
You’re welcome. I had not, either.
Hi Jennie, three great things. The stitching of the flag is fascinating. I just finished a very educational book about Pearl Harbour. I didn’t know much about the war in the Pacific before that. Now I’m reading about the Battle of Midway.
Thank you, Robbie. I find the stitching fascinating, too. It took years and people who had meaningful old flags whose parts could be used, not to mention the hundreds of sewers. I never got to see the flag. Sigh! Pearl Harbor was a big wake up call. Hubby tells me about many senior officers who lost their jobs because of their poor commanding. Midway was a great win in the Pacific. The 1976 movie “Midway” is excellent. I highly recommend it.
Thank you, Jennie, for the recommendation. According to the book I read, a lot of red flag warnings were missed. The officers at Pearl Harbour were not found guilty of wrong doing following the court marshals as Washington thought they had information they didn’t have access too. I think the offices were scapegoats in the eyes of the public though.
You are right!
First I had heard about the flag being stitched, that’s amazing!
Best wishes, Pete.
It was a first for me, too. Can you picture me as I read the book? No tears, just great pride.
Jennie, I love this! I will check out the book, indeed. It’s so good to see you, my friend. You always inspire and encourage us! I love how you celebrate the heroes that need recognition! Including your son! ♥️ 🇺🇸
Hi Karla! I’m glad this gave you some joy and inspiration. Thank you for your kind words. How are you doing? ❤️
It’s my pleasure, Jennie! Oh, my friend, this has been the toughest thing I’ve ever experienced. I have tears just writing this. Tears of joy for being here. There were unexpected hiccups, pain management issues, more tumors, more organs removed. Too much to describe here. It’s been a roller coaster of healing—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. My oncologist wants to begin treatments asap since the cancer is still in my bones. They don’t want it spreading back to liver. He removed the pancreas tail, spleen, gallbladder, 9 lymph nodes, and 18 tumors off my liver. Jennie, I’m so happy to be here. I’ve missed everyone. I’ve missed writing and will get back into my routine with a little newsletter. It will do me good. Just like seeing your wonderful posts and knowing you are well!! It gives me great joy! Thank you for your support. It means so much! Merry Christmas, Jennie! 💚
God Bless you, Karla! You are in my heart, and I’m sending you fairy dust. ❤️
Thank you, Jennie! It’s working magic 🪄 God bless you too, dear friend. ❤️
❤️
Three heroes, indeed. A lovely post, Jennie.
Thank you, John.
😁
And we must never forget how much they have done for us with no expectation of reward.
Hear, hear!
Jennie, I have not gotten to an Army-Navy football game but have been fortunate enough to see Notre Dame play Navy twice. It was inspiring on those occasions to see the Midshipmen march into the stadium. I had not heard of the book before – thanks for sharing!
Yes, Navy Notre Dame football games have a long tradition and are very inspiring. I’m glad you enjoyed the post, Bruce!
Thank you for calling our attention to these acts of patriotism, Jennie!
You are welcome, Liz.
All wonderful things, Jennie.
Thanks, Dan.
I’m unfamiliar with this book, Jennie, but I will investigate based on your recommendation. Can we teach patriotism? Certainly, and you’re so good at promoting that with your students.
I’m a bit ashamed at myself that I didn’t know what happened to the flag after 9/11. It’s a good book. Interestingly, most of my teaching comes via the ‘indirect method’, so I teach things that instill patriotism, like songs and books, but I don’t teach patriotism directly. It’s exactly how you taught your students, too. Thanks, Pete.
Thanks for sharing such a meaningful book. I wasn’t aware of the mended flag and what happened to it. ❤
I wasn’t aware, either. You are welcome, Diana.
cheers to the hat trick
🙂
Thank you, Prior!