James learned about why we celebrate Memorial Day last week and his thoughts about the men and women who serve our country in the armed forces are very dear.  His grandfather whom he calls Pop Pop was at West Point last week celebrating his 65th graduation from the USMA.  James was interested to hear from his grandmother about the  parade where the cadets march in front of the old graduates. It is called “passing in review” and it is a way of showing their respect. He asked his grandmother in a subsequent email to tell him more about the parade!

In his school lesson they read  Decoration Day by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

CREATIVE WRITING: Reflect on this Memorial Day lesson and the words of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.  To whom is Longfellow speaking in the poem? Who is the intended audience of the poem? What response do you think Longfellow sought to inspire when he penned Decoration Day?

THIS POEM IS ABOUT FALLEN SOLDIERS.  IT IS DIRECTED AT THOSE WHO HAVE GIVEN THEIR LIFE IN WAR. I AM SO MOVED BY THESE WORDS AND SO VERY GRATEFUL TO ALL THOSE WHO HAVE GIVEN THEIR LIVES TO DEFEND OUR COUNTRY. I CANNOT IMAGINE A MORE SIGNIFICANT SACRIFICE THAN YOUR LIFE FOR OUR COUNTRY. I THINK OUR MEN AND WOMEN IN SERVICE ARE THE BRAVEST IN THE WORLD. ALL OF THEM DESERVE HUGE INCREASES IN THEIR SALARIES.  I WOULD BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO INCREASE MY TAXES TO PAY THEM MORE FOR THE AMAZING SERVICES THEY PROVIDE FOR OUR COUNTRY.  ALL OF OUR TROOPS ARE MY BIGGEST HEROES!