Welcome to the "Militarily Speaking" podcast with Tom McLean and Jodi Vickery.

In this episode of “Militarily Speaking,” Tom and Jodi are joined by Craig Du Mez, President and Founder of the Grateful Nation Project, to discuss how the project honors U.S. military service members who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom, and brings to light the importance of remembering and sharing these hero stories to instill patriotism and gratitude among school students and the general public.

“Militarily Speaking” is a podcast produced by Armed Forces Bank that is dedicated to the military lifestyle and all the things that makes the military community who they are.

Ep. 61 – Reviving Patriotism: How The Grateful Nation Project is Honoring America's Fallen Heroes

Tom kicks off the episode by introducing the guest of honor, Craig Du Mez. Jodi provides a warm welcome, sharing some background on Craig and the Grateful Nation Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to gathering, preserving, and sharing stories of fallen heroes. They create hero cards and online biographies for U.S. military service members who lost their lives while serving from the Revolutionary War to present day.

A Grateful Advocate

Craig explains the mission of the Grateful Nation Project: to ensure that stories of sacrifice are never forgotten. He shares personal anecdotes and the motivation behind the initiative, including how the project began as a simple idea to hand out hero cards during Memorial Day parades and evolved into a comprehensive program involving both cards and detailed online biographies.

Heartfelt Personal Stories Connecting Veterans and Their Families

Craig shares a touching interaction with a relative of Daniel Hawk, the first soldier killed in the Civil War. This cousin, living in the UK, reached out and expressed pride in their ancestor's service. Such anecdotes underscore the project's profound impact not only on American families but also families abroad.

Educational Integration

Jodi brings up the innovative ways schools are incorporating the hero cards and narratives into their curricula. Craig mentions that the Grateful Nation Project offers flexible implementation strategies for schools. From simple one-off events to more integrated lessons involving research projects and presentations, schools can tailor the project to fit their educational needs.

Feedback from teachers highlights the program's effectiveness. One teacher noted how their students were so engaged they didn't want to leave for lunch. This demonstrates the project's ability to make history personal and relatable for students, transforming abstract historical events into human stories of bravery and sacrifice.

Donations and Volunteer Support

Craig sheds light on the critical role of donations, explaining how contributions are used to print and distribute hero cards, cover research costs, and support outreach efforts. He also encourages listeners to volunteer by engaging local schools and veterans' organizations, underscoring the need for community involvement to expand the project's reach.

Declining Patriotism

Craig discusses a concerning survey indicating a sharp decline in patriotism among younger generations. He attributes this to the diminished direct connection many Americans have with the military. By introducing real-life hero stories into schools, the Grateful Nation Project aims to rekindle a sense of patriotism and gratitude for the freedoms we often take for granted.

Craig ends by highlighting the importance of honoring the fallen and ensuring their sacrifices are remembered. By educating the younger generation and fostering a sense of gratitude, the Grateful Nation Project hopes to create a truly grateful nation where the memories of fallen heroes are preserved and cherished.

To learn more about the Grateful Nation Project and how you can support its mission, visit gratefulnation.us or herocards.us. Your contributions can make a significant difference in preserving the legacies of America's heroes.

Military Minute

Jodi introduces the Military Minute segment of the show, beginning by closing out last episode’s Military Minute.

●     Last episode’s Military Minute: Who was the founder of the American Red Cross and in what year did that take place?

●     Answer: Clara Barton in 1881

●     This week’s Military Minute question: Who said the following after being captured by the British Army, “I only regret that I have but one life to give for my country.”

●     Watch for Facebook and Instagram posts about this episode.

●     Answer with the correct answer and you plus a charity of your choice can each win $50.

●     After a winning selection, Military Minute participants are eligible for another selection after 12 months.

Tom closes the episode by asking listeners to go to www.afbank.com and subscribe to the show, as well as leave a rating and comment on your favorite podcast platform such as Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

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