The Grateful Nation Project - Hero Cards

The Grateful Nation Project - Hero Cards We’re an educational 501(c)(3) nonprofit, all-volunteer organization that gathers, preserves, and shares the stories of TRUE Heroes—members of the U.S.

military who gave “the last full measure of devotion” for our freedom. Our Mission: To gather, preserve, and share the stories of TRUE Heroes—members of the U.S. military who lost their lives while serving. We are creating a Hero Card for every fallen U.S. service member who gave “the last full measure of devotion” for our freedom.

Plans for Veterans Day? November 11 is just a month away!EDUCATORS: If you need ideas for a meaningful classroom project...
10/06/2026

Plans for Veterans Day? November 11 is just a month away!

EDUCATORS: If you need ideas for a meaningful classroom project, a Veterans Day assembly, or community engagement, download our free Teacher’s Guide to see how other educators have brought The Grateful Nation Project to their schools.

If your school already has a tradition of honoring our Veterans, consider also sharing the stories of those who made the ultimate sacrifice—in a format that fully engages your students. ⬇️

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VETERANS: Your service is needed (again)! Young Americans are increasingly losing connection to our military. Your Veterans Day visits to schools are a golden opportunity to help them understand the very high cost of our freedom.

Through our Veteran Organizations Ally Program, we can work together to achieve this goal.

Help to ensure that the stories of those who gave “the last full measure of devotion” reach the hands of young Americans in your community! ⬇️

School Boards For Academic Excellence, National School Boards Coalition, National Council for the Social Studies, Smithsonian Education, PBS Teachers, Hillsdale College K-12 Education, Young America's Foundation, U.S. Department of Education, USAA

Bob Kruger, from Clifton, NJ, joined the U.S. Marine Corps to get his college degree on the G.I. Bill after his service....
09/29/2026

Bob Kruger, from Clifton, NJ, joined the U.S. Marine Corps to get his college degree on the G.I. Bill after his service.

His platoon leader credits Kruger with “[saving] the lives of many Marines by setting off his own hand grenade” during an ambush by the North Vietnamese Army.

More below ⬇️

Marine Corps Association, Vietnam Veterans of America, Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, Gary Sinise Foundation, Smithsonian Education, Hillsdale College K-12 Education, Turning Point Education, Young America's Foundation, National Council for the Social Studies, School Boards For Academic Excellence

09/23/2026

SCAVENGER HUNT! If you pass through Milwaukee’s General Mitchell International Airport (MKE), check out the outstanding Mitchell Airport Gallery of Flight Air Museum.

When you’re there, can you find the two Heroes whose displays contain their Hero Cards?

Hint: They’re both pilots.

On my way to Tampa and the Military Influencer Conference 2026! If you're there too, stop in for a chat at The Grateful Nation Project booth 324.

Up, up, and away… ⬇️

Krista S. Anderson, Brave Group, Dale Kooyenga, Lauren McMillen, The Unquiet Professional

Next week…Tampa…let’s connect!The Military Influencer Conference is “where the military-connected community comes togeth...
09/17/2026

Next week…Tampa…let’s connect!

The Military Influencer Conference is “where the military-connected community comes together to build what comes next.”

Make your way to BOOTH 324, and we can talk about sharing the stories—in schools and homes across America—of those who gave “the last full measure of devotion” for our freedom.

Military Influencer, Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), National Military Family Association, Military Child Education Coalition, The Unquiet Professional, Krista S. Anderson, Brave Group, Ryan Manion, Amy Forsythe, Military Times

After seven decades of not knowing her brother’s fate, CPL “Donnie” Menken’s 97-year-old sister, Marie, lived long enoug...
09/16/2026

After seven decades of not knowing her brother’s fate, CPL “Donnie” Menken’s 97-year-old sister, Marie, lived long enough to see him brought home. Thanks to the tireless dedication of the Defense POW / MIA Accounting Agency in fulfilling the nation’s “no one left behind” promise.

Read CPL Menkin’s story [link in comments]

Embassy of the United States to Korea, Korean War Project, Korean War Veterans and Family and Supporters, Korean War Veterans Memorial, Association of the United States Army - AUSA National, Hillsdale College K-12 Education, Turning Point Education, Smithsonian Education, National Council for the Social Studies, Korea Defense Veterans Assoc. - KDVA Members

SEPTEMBER 12, 2001 - In the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, hundreds of thousands of young Americans left the comforts of...
09/12/2026

SEPTEMBER 12, 2001 - In the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, hundreds of thousands of young Americans left the comforts of home, risking their lives to defend their country (if that describes you or a loved one, please tell us about it in Comments!).

Many made the ultimate sacrifice.

On The Grateful Nation Project’s website (link in Comments), scroll to the search field at the bottom of any page and search “September 11.”

The results will lead to biographies of just some of the Heroes who took action to preserve your freedom—real people with real families.

Know their names. Share their stories with the next generation. Never forget.

[link in Comments]

Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, The Unquiet Professional, Krista S. Anderson, Brave Group, Young America's Foundation, Turning Point Education, Hillsdale College K-12 Education, National Council for the Social Studies, Military Influencer, National Military Family Association

Army LTC Karen Wagner was a fourth-generation soldier. She was at her desk at the Pentagon on 9/11/2001—nearing the end ...
09/11/2026

Army LTC Karen Wagner was a fourth-generation soldier. She was at her desk at the Pentagon on 9/11/2001—nearing the end of her 17 years of service—when American Airlines Flight 77 was hijacked by radical Islamic terrorists and crashed into the Pentagon’s western facade.

[biography link in comments]

Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Association of the United States Army - AUSA National, Pete Hegseth, Smithsonian Education, Young America's Foundation, U.S. Department of Education, Linda McMahon, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, U.S. Department of War

You’ve served your country. For this, we are grateful. We need you again.If you visited our booth at the American Legion...
09/08/2026

You’ve served your country. For this, we are grateful. We need you again.

If you visited our booth at the American Legion National Convention in Louisville last week, we promised to follow up with instructions on how you can help bring TRUE Heroes’ stories into your local classrooms.

Young Americans are increasingly losing connection to our military. You are needed to help them understand the very high cost of our freedom.

Through our new Veteran Organizations Ally Program (link in comments), we can work together to achieve this goal.

Because you are already known and respected in your community—and are already making visits to your local schools—you’re uniquely qualified to make the connection! If you participate in school Veterans Day, Memorial Day, or America 250 activities this year, your help is needed.

As you report back to your Legion/Auxiliary posts, please let them know that their service is needed…again! Be a part of our Ally Program—to ensure that the stories of those who gave “the last full measure of devotion” reach the hands of young Americans in your community!

American Legion Auxiliary National Headquarters, The American Legion National Headquarters, Veterans of Foreign Wars VFW, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America Vietnam Veterans of America, Vietnam Veterans of America, State Policy Network, School Boards For Academic Excellence, National Military Family Association, Military Officers Association of America (MOAA)

Gratitude: Make it Personal.Do you or your American Legion Post visit schools for Veterans Day events? Let’s talk at thi...
08/25/2026

Gratitude: Make it Personal.

Do you or your American Legion Post visit schools for Veterans Day events?

Let’s talk at this weekend’s Convention about how you can instill gratitude in the next generation—for those who served and made the ultimate sacrifice.

Visit The Grateful Nation Project at BOOTH 509 in the Exhibit Hall. See you there!

The American Legion National Headquarters, American Legion Auxiliary National Headquarters, National Military Family Association, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, U.S. Department of Education, Veterans of Foreign Wars VFW, National Council for the Social Studies, School Boards For Academic Excellence, America 250 Civics Education Coalition, Bradley Impact Fund

Daniel Riordan was known first as “Cowboy Dan,” then later as “Lieutenant Dan.”As a tank commander in support of Operati...
08/18/2026

Daniel Riordan was known first as “Cowboy Dan,” then later as “Lieutenant Dan.”

As a tank commander in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, he believed that he and his unit were “truly bringing empowerment and freedom to the men, women, and children of Iraq.”

[biography link in comments]

Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Association of the United States Army - AUSA National, Hillsdale College K-12 Education, Success Academy Charter Schools, U.S. Department of Education, PBS Teachers, Smithsonian Education, Gary Sinise Foundation, Bradley Impact Fund

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