Patriot's Day & Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
American Heritage, American History, & Patriotic Education Programs
Alexander McNair Society held their September business meeting on Sunday, September 12th. During their program, members and seniors learned and discussed the September 11th Attacks and the History of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Patriot's Day - 20th Anniversary of the September 11th Attacks
Before the meeting, members were encouraged to read the book I Survived the Attacks of September 11, 2001 by Lauren Tarshis. Families were able to read the book together and discuss the topic at an age-appropriate level for their members.
Families also had an opportunity to attend 9/11 Commemorative events the day before, including a memorial at Clayton City Hall, Flags of Valor at Art Hill, and an evening memorial at the Florissant VFW.
At the meeting, members and seniors were able to discuss the 9/11 attacks. Seniors explained where they were that day and some of the feelings they went through. Two of our seniors were C.A.R. members at the time. One explained how they had been on a family vacation in Boston and shared their experiences of plans having to change and how people looked at them as tourists that week. Another explained what it was like to be away at college and about a project she started to send cards to C.A.R. members in New York City. Members had questions about why terrorists would do this and talked about how people must have felt that day.
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier - 100th Anniversary
Next, members and seniors learned about the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and its upcoming 100th anniversary. A senior read the book Twenty-One Steps by Jeff Gottesfeld to the members. Afterwards, members and seniors discussed why we have the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and how it came to be.
Before the meeting, one family visited the site of a memorial for Michael Blaisse, the Unknown Soldier from the Vietnam War. His remains were identified in 1998 and he was brought home to Florissant, MO and is now buried at Jefferson Barracks in St. Louis.
Patriotic Education - Military Uniforms throughout the years
Members were able to see examples of military uniforms from the War on Terror and compare them to the military uniforms from the past with a timeline of military uniforms. They discussed reasons why uniforms would change over the years and what was special about these uniforms.
Finally, members were able to see the timeline that the society is making to show different events throughout American History. They were able to identify several events that we've discussed so far this year: the Lewis & Clark Expedition, Missouri Statehood, World War I, September 11th, and today with the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Finally, members participated in the C.A.R. song, had a snack, and closed the meeting.
Attendees: 6 members (4 peewees), 4 seniors.
