Contributions of Citizens Who
Defended American Principles
Session 10: Days to Remember: Memorial Day

Materials

• Teacher-selected books about Memorial Day
• Pictures of memorials commemorating Memorial Day (e.g., Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, National D-day Memorial in Bedford, Virginia, and Arlington National Cemetery)

Instructional Activities

1. Read and discuss teacher-selected books about Memorial Day. Make sure students understand that this holiday honors those who died protecting our country, and note that Memorial Day is on the last Monday in May.
   
   
2. Ask students how they give honor on Memorial Day. Ask if any of them have ever been to a Memorial Day service in their community or visited a memorial. If they have, ask them to describe their experience. If no one has attended a service or visited a memorial, describe what a Memorial Day service might be like. The following Web sites may be helpful:
   •    <http://thewall-usa.com/> Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall
   •    <http://smokeys-trail.com/USA/bedford-2001.html> D-day Memorial in Bedford, Virginia
   •    <http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/> Arlington National Cemetery
   
   
3. Have class create a Memorial Wall using pictures from family and friends, magazines, and the Internet.

NOTE: For students who have personal losses due to war situations, this will be a sensitive topic. Adjust lesson as needed to protect these students from emotional trauma.