Veterans Day is one thing. Thanking a veteran is another thing. Making it ‘real’ for children is what I did.
Retired two star General, Bruce Z, was our guest at school today.
Can you imagine what it was like for children to see him in uniform? He was wonderful! First we presented him with the American flag the children made.
Do you know how hard it is for three-year-olds to cut seven red stripes? They worked hard, and they were very proud. General Z beamed.
Children had so many questions. They asked him about his uniform and his ribbons and medals. He told them about his favorite medal, an award for parachuting. My goodness, he told stories about parachuting from a plane and a helicopter, parachuting when your chute doesn’t open, and describing a reserve chute. Oh, there were more stories.
Then it was time to ask children if they wanted to shake General Z’s hand and say thank you.
My goodness, every child was eager. I’m so glad they had far more than an opportunity to thank a veteran. Of course we wrote him and decorated a gigantic thank you note.
Jennie
A Teacher's Reflections 
Oh, Jenny! Her ideas in class are always so remarkable, thoughtful and overwhelming. In the photos you can see the fun that the students and the general had too. Thanks for sharing, and best wishes, Michael
Thank you, Michael! They really had so much fun!
Hi Jennie, As you well know. . . little minds are so malleable and often plain curious, so being aware of their needs is vital to their maturity. I would say- by now – you have the art of teaching ‘in the bag!’ Years ago, I was a part-time teacher’s assistant – mainly with reading and we did poetry too. (Junior school.) I loved it, and have three sons as a bonus! All the very best, and keep those ‘surprises’ coming! Cheers.
Hi Joy, thank you for your lovely comment! I appreciate your kind words. I remember that you were a teacher. How lucky that your main focus was reading! Three sons is definitely a bonus! I will keep those surprises coming.
I’d say General Z was just as thrilled as the children!
I think he was!
How wonderful, absolutely wonderful!
Thank you, Annette!
This is a wonderful idea, Jennie (a tradition, yes?). Good for the children and the general.
Yes, it has become a tradition, General Z for Veterans Day and the retired Staff Sergeant for Memorial Day (which is school-wide.) Thank you, Dan, it was and is good for both.
Making Veterans day real for children is quite the challenge these days. You did a good job with this. Growing up on Army bases kept what the military does to secure our safety, was part of our daily routine. May we never forget and the men and women who serve always know how appreciated they are.
I think it depends on where you live. My neck of the woods certainly is a challenge. Did any other teachers in my school do anything for Veterans Day? Nope. I like how it was a part of your daily routine growing up. I think the military also instills acceptance of everyone, honesty, work ethic, and kindness. Yes, may we never forget!
It does look like General Bruce had as much fun as the children, Jennie. The thank-you note gets a big salute from me. Great visit, great day!
He did! I’m glad you enjoyed this, especially the giant thank you note. It was truly a great day. Many thanks!
I can see by his last name why it’s shortened to “General Z”!
Yes! And, that’s fun for the children to say.
A sweet post – it appears the general and the children all enjoyed their time together.
Thank you, Karma. They did!
A great encounter for the kids, and for the General too. Nothing like that ever happened when I was at school.
Best wishes, Pete.
It really was, Pete, for both the General and for the children. Steve (hubby) was commenting on how he wished he could have shaken a General’s hand at school when he was a child. Like you, it never happened for us, either. Best to you.
Thank You LORD! Thank you Ms Jenny, The Children, and of course Mr Z! What a blessed day and a Unique Way to celebrate Veterans’ Day. Thank you for sharing Ms Jenny and keep inspiring and motivating.
Blessings always,
Mtetar at Basicissimple
Thank you.
You’re most welcome, Ms Jennie. Have a blessed and safe day.
Mtetar at Basicissimple
Ms Jenny I did comment, but it’s not visible. Mtetar at Basicissimple Have a blessed and safe day.
Your comment came through!
I’m glad it did. Blessings always, Mtetar at Basicissimple
What a super thing for the General to do. Thanks for sharing this heart warming post, Jennie.
It really was super for him to do. He was wonderful with children. I wish this had happened to me when I was a child in school. Thank you so much, John.
I wish the same, Jennie. We never had anyone come by.
Unfortunately we’re in the majority. Sigh!
Great idea, Jennie.
Thank you, Don.
I bet the parachute story was a big hit (no pun intended).
It was, and I love the pun!
I love that you do this. Inviting members of the Armed Forces in to speak to the class makes them respect the military and what they do. I love seeing them shake his hand. Something all children should be taught at a young age.
Well said, Darlene. That’s exactly what happens. When I asked children if they wanted to shake his hand, most were eager. Everyone was smiling! I am with you on teaching children to shake hands, and this was a perfect opportunity. Many thanks, Darlene, so glad you liked this. 😍
My dad taught me to shake hands when I was about three. It served me well all my life. I am naturally a hugger, but hugging is not always appropriate in a business setting. 😉
I’m glad to know that! I remember in kindergarten we had to shake hands with our teacher at the end of the day when our parents picked us up. Mrs. Tompkies taught us well. That is a clear memory. Like you, I’m a hugger, but I’ve been able to tell when handshake is more appropriate.
What a wonderful way Jennie in paying tribute to those veterans. Oh how lucky those children were in shaking hands with a real life hero. As they learn about Veterans Day…
Thank you for sharing Jennie… That flag was beautifully made… So was his Thank you card…
Wishing you much love over the pond from England as we remember those that served and those that fell, together xx 💖
Thank you for your beautiful comment, Sue. Big smiles. Yes, shaking hands with a hero is a big deal. Children worked so hard on the flag. Scissor cutting is hard when you’re three-years-old. I wish every teacher had their class thank a veteran, from any country. Hugs to you! 💕
Lots of patience and skill went into that flag… Made all the more precious by those little hands xx
Yes, very much so!
A great tradition Jennie!
Thank you, FR. I think so, too. 🙂
Kudos, Jennie. Big hugs.
Thank you, Teagan!
It is great that you did this. It must have been a great experience for them.
Thank you, Thomas. Yes, it was.
What a beautiful post, Jennie so heartwarming xx
Thank you so much, Carol!
Thanks to General Bruce and for teachers like you who help children understand what it means to be a veteran who serves their country. The picture of the general shaking the child’s hand is as priceless as is the smile. I remember previous posts having vets come to your class. Was that General Bruce or someone else?
I’ve had the General before on Veterans Day, and the Staff Sergeant on Memorial Day. Army and Air Force. I need a Navy veteran! Yes, the smile is priceless!! Thanks so much, Pete. I wish all teachers did this.
This post brought tears, Jennie. Good ones! You are doing so much good…bringing the General close, letting the children be in awe, providing opportunities to be up close, ask questions. My heart’s full! Thank you dear one! 🥰💝🥰
Awww… thank you, Vicki! I’m so glad you liked this post. So many good things happened. My heart was full, too. 😍
Moving and beautiful.
Thank you, Cindy!
Jennie, what a wonderful way to honor veterans and make the children aware of what our service men and women do for our country. Bravo!
Thank you, Cathy! You said it well. I wish more teachers invited veterans into their classroom. Children love this, and it’s important.
Ah, how lovely, Jennie. A beautiful story.
Thank you, Robbie!
⭐️💫
Hi Jennie, this is simply wonderful!
Thank you, Charles!
The parachuting stories must have been thrilling! Wow. What a great guest, Jennie, and so fun for the kids. I want to know about the ribbons and medals too. 😀 A wonderful way to celebrate Veteran’s Day. ❤
It was! The children were captivated, especially at the part when the main chute didn’t open. Thank you, Diana!
I was intrigued by that one too!
🙂
Marvelous and so thoughtful of you to invite him to the school and and the children were so excited and had a great time. Thanks a lot Jennie. Awesome 👍👍👍👍
Yes on all counts, Kamal. Many thanks!
Absolutely true Jennie. Happy Sunday 😊
Thank you, Kamal!
You are always welcome dear Jennie ❤️🙏
Wonderful way to introduce youngsters to veterans and Veteran’s Day, Jennie. I might have to share this with the person in our neighborhood who flies her flag upside down.
Really?? Shame on her. Thank you, Steve. I will always champion introducing children to veterans and Veterans Day.
Yes, really. She fired her lawn guy this Spring because he displayed a flag waving in the back of his truck. I wonder if she knows that she can do all this because she lives in a free country. You do a great job, Jennie. Keep at it.
People like this need 6 weeks of boot camp to learn how to get along with everyone. I wonder if she knows, too. I hope she gets her just dues, or ‘wakes up.’ Thank you, Steve, I will keep at it.