The Grateful Nation Project - Hero Cards

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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.

06/02/2026

As a boy growing up on a farm in Durand, Illinois, Shirl Best rode to his schoolhouse in a buggy drawn by a pet pony.

As a young man, he served as a navigator on a B-17G “Flying Fortress” heavy bomber. He was lost on a mission to destroy an oil facility that was crucial to the N**i war effort.

[story link in comments]

Durand Illinois Unfiltered, America250, Freedom 250, U.S. Department of Education, School Boards For Academic Excellence, Hillsdale College K-12 Education, Bradley Impact Fund, The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation, Chesterton Schools Network, Association of the United States Army - AUSA National, Air & Space Forces Association

05/27/2026

PFC Jack DeLellis, from Waukesha, WI, was part of the first wave of Marines in the Pacific Theater’s crucial Battle of Tarawa.

During the amphibious landing, U.S. Marines encountered lower-than-expected tides, forcing them to leave their landing craft on the reef and wade the hundreds of yards to the beach under intense enemy fire.

[story link in comments]

America250, Freedom 250, School Boards For Academic Excellence, Marine Corps Association, Defense POW / MIA Accounting Agency, Hillsdale College K-12 Education, Success Academy Charter Schools, Bradley Impact Fund, The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation, The National WWII Museum

05/25/2026

Meet the people who gave everything for your freedom.

Their stories: www.gratefulnation.us

America250, Freedom 250, American Legion Auxiliary National Headquarters, American Battle Monuments Commission, U.S. Department of Education, School Boards For Academic Excellence, Hillsdale College K-12 Education, National School Boards Coalition, , Military Influencer

05/19/2026

Ready for Memorial Day weekend? Hit that mattress sale! Light up that grill! Start your summer!

All good things.

But this year, consider meeting the people who sacrificed everything to secure your freedom. Start your collection of TRUE Heroes who gave “the last full measure of devotion” for our liberty. Stories from 250 years of service and sacrifice, captured in collector cards and online biographies.

Whether for yourself, for a Veteran you know, for a history buff, for your children or grandchildren…make this Memorial Day weekend different. Recapture the meaning of the day: honoring our fallen Heroes.

Visit The Grateful Nation Project.

[links in comments]

, America250, Freedom 250, U.S. Department of Education, The American Legion National Headquarters, Veterans of Foreign Wars VFW, Vietnam Veterans of America, Young America's Foundation, Association of the United States Army - AUSA National, Marine Corps Association, Air & Space Forces Association

05/13/2026

Have you ever heard of the Army’s “Greybeard Regiment”?

PVT William K. Tyler was born a southerner, opposed to slavery, and was too old for combat.

A former teacher and boot-maker, Tyler joined the Union Army’s “Greybeard Regiment” to serve his country.

He was assigned to the Alton Military Prison in Illinois, guarding captured Confederate soldiers, “bushwhackers,” and “guerrillas.”

[story link in comments]

America250, Freedom 250, America 250 Civics Education Coalition, U.S. Department of Education, School Boards For Academic Excellence, National School Boards Coalition, National Memorial Day Concert (PBS), Association of the United States Army - AUSA National, Bradley Impact Fund, The National Civil War Museum, Hillsdale College K-12 Education

05/06/2026

“He was James Dean and Marlon Brando all in one package.”

Jack Rittichier was an all-star college athlete whose 90-yard touchdown run cinched Kent State University’s first-ever bowl bid.

He served in both the U.S. Coast Guard and the United States Air Force, volunteering to deploy to Vietnam as a HH-3E helicopter rescue & recovery pilot.

[story link in comments]

America250, America 250 Civics Education Coalition, Freedom 250, Hillsdale College K-12 Education, U.S. Department of Education, Vietnam Veterans of America, National Memorial Day Concert (PBS), National Coast Guard Museum Association, Kent State University

04/28/2026

He endured three of the bloodiest battles of World War I—at Soissons, Blanc Mont, and the Meuse-Argonne offensive.

On the final day of “The War That Will End War,” Pvt. Turley was hit by German machine gun fire as his regiment tried to cross a bridge over France’s Meuse River.

[story link in comments]

America 250 Civics Education Coalition, America250, Freedom 250, Hillsdale College K-12 Education, U.S. Department of Education, Marine Corps Association, Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, Great Hearts Academies, Teacher Freedom Summit, National Memorial Day Concert (PBS), School Boards For Academic Excellence

04/23/2026

The End (of the school year) is near!

Are your students grateful? The school year is nearing the finish line, Memorial Day is approaching, and the nation’s 250th birthday celebration looms.

There’s still time (but not much!) to introduce your young scholars to 250 years’ worth of TRUE Heroes—the people who gave “the last full measure of devotion” for our freedom.

Easy to implement in the classroom or a low-effort addition to special assemblies, The Grateful Nation Project will be a memorable and meaningful way to inspire gratitude in young hearts and minds!

[Links in comments]

U.S. Department of Education, America 250 Civics Education Coalition, America250, Freedom 250, Hillsdale College K-12 Education, Chesterton Schools Network, Great Hearts Academies, Association of Classical Christian Schools, Success Academy Charter Schools

04/21/2026

Despite demonstrating early talent for woodworking and masonry, Robert Jenkins Jr. wanted to be a career Marine.

He enlisted and was deployed to Vietnam, where his selfless and courageous action saved the life of a fellow Marine and earned PFC Jenkins the nation’s highest military honor.

[story link in comments]

U.S. Department of Education, America250, America 250 Civics Education Coalition, Freedom 250, Hillsdale College K-12 Education, Great Hearts Academies, Association of Classical Christian Schools, Chesterton Schools Network, Vietnam Veterans of America, Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, Marine Corps Association

04/16/2026

As executive officer aboard the heavy cruiser USS Indianapolis, CDR Flynn passed along the order to abandon ship. He is remembered for his heroic actions following a Japanese submarine attack.

The Indianapolis delivered parts for the atomic b*mb that would be dropped on Hiroshima, Japan—leading to the end of World War II.

[story link in comments]

America250, Freedom 250, U.S. Department of Education, National Memorial Day Concert (PBS), Association of the United States Navy, USS Indianapolis, Naval History & Heritage Command, America 250 Civics Education Coalition, The National WWII Museum, Hillsdale College K-12 Education

Address

Brookfield, WI

Website

https://www.gratefulnation.us/

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