Posted on 09/23/2018 3:40:21 PM PDT by GOP_Party_Animal
An explanation of battlefield injuries followed by a bit of basic field first aid training would go a long way towards making kids realize what our soldiers face while giving them useful, potentially live-saving skills.
I think I can help. I used to sometimes take a couple of WW2 vets to schools. The were mend who saw combat in The Battle of The Bulge, as well as other battles in the ETO. What I would suggest to the veterans is just to be themselves. Talk about where they grew up, their school days, how they came to be in the service, what branch, that kind of thing. I would strongly recommend however that prior to introducing veterans to any group of young people, preferably without the veterans present is to tell these young people that given what these men did, serving their country and particularly Army and Marine Corps vets that is was required of them to have to kill people. I say this because this is what most of these kids, especially boys seem to be most curious about. And from personal experience I have seen that it is a very difficult thing for veterans to talk about. It’s one of, if not the main reason why men who have been through that horror refuse to talk about their war time service.
I would tell these young people this. I told them “Yes. Because of the nature of what these men were involved in they did kill people. Sometimes as close as I am to you now and sometimes from a great distance, killing dozens of people or more at a time. I’d tell them “It was not something they wanted to do, they certainly did not enjoy doing it and would very much have wished they didn’t have to have done it. But they were proud and honored to serve their country and to do what they had to to protect and defend their buddies and our country. I hope this helps.
We recently did something similar with our trail life USA troop.
Several of our leaders are vets, but none had combat. I invited a Vietnam helicopter pilot friend.
I learned that evening he received a Distinguished Flying Cross for a rescue operation under fire and later flew a U.S. President.
We all learned something that night.
If available, have them read a biographic item on this person. Have them write a letter or come ready for questions.
A proper flag retirement ceremony with local American Legion
That’s good.
I did a Q&A for a Vet’s Day at my kid’s grade school. Went well, the kids wanted to know about food and living conditions and equipment more than any gungy stories.
At the end, the teacher said she’d heard that Marines will sing the Marines’ Hymn any time, anywhere. The kids looked at me expectantly. I, of course, belted it out as best I could, solo.
One day, I’ll get her for that.
Use the event to announce that the pack will be moving out of the BSA and into Trail Life.
Have you talked with someone at the air museum? I know the one here in AZ has a lot of veterans that LOVE to talk. /g
Seriously though, that would be a good place to start.
and then the scouts can ask the veterans what they think about the army going gay...lol
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