Bartholomew County Veteran's Memorial

As part of our Patriot Summer, we decided to visit the local Veteran's Memorial today and talk to the boys about service to our country. Thought it was fitting since it was Flag Day and all. We incorporated this side trip into our bike ride today, and I think the boys were thoughtful about it. The Memorial stands next to our Courthouse when you first enter town.



On the pillars are names of county residents who served in the military over the years.

The bricks throughout our downtown have names and businesses listed. But those near the Memorial are of men and women who served in the military.



In addition to names on the pillars are moving letters from county servicemen who did not return home.




World War I Memorial Plaque


Brennan at the county tribute plaque


Vietnam Veterans Memorial




Revolutionary War Plaque


Sculptures near the Memorial that are part of our Public Sculpture program.


The Dolphin statue and fountain behind the courthouse.


Across the street from the courthouse and Veterans Memorial is the new Cummins building.


Another public sculpture with City Hall in the background.


I feel especially proud that we have such a Memorial to take the boys to. This idea came straight from the book that I'm reading this summer.

Hope you're having a great day!

Our Patriot Summer - Dinner Table Debate

I mentioned last week that I'm reading a book this summer on raising an American Kid. We did a few things in our first 4 days of summer that I considered part of our Patriot Summer like: seeing the antique cars at Zaharako's grand re-opening, biking, reading up on our town's history, and going to an A&W stand, and the Hip Hop Recital. (I mean, Hip Hop has definitely got to be American!) But I probably didn't do a great job making those connections for the boys of those excursions and my book.

What I did do though was tell them about the book this weekend, and I introduced this book's first "Dinner Table Debate" topic, without a lot of success.

The topic was "When do you feel the most American?" I was met with lots of blank stares and silence. "I don't know", "I don't know what you mean", and "I don't have a FEELING about being American" are the basic answers I got - and then a lot of frustration because I kept wording the question differently in hopes of illiciting something of a patriotic nature.

"When are you the most proud of being American?"
"Are you proud that you are American and not Lithuanian, Czechoslovakian, or Argentinian?"
"What about on the 4th of July?"

"Yes, I guess, sure" is the best I got. And the oldest would HAPPILY tell me what I wanted to hear so he could go back to reading if I had gotten anywhere close to a feeling he had. But, they were brutally honest, and the fact is, "American" just isn't a feeling they have.

David and I shared a glance. Obviously, this book is needed in my house.

I have to wonder - is it just my kids? Are other parents really good and making the connections and I just assumed my kids were proud to be American? Or are they of the norm compared to other 7 and 8 year olds? When do your kids feel most American?

Well, at least we know where we're starting from this summer. We can only go up from here!

My Summer Book

Every summer my friend Beth chooses a parenting book to read and focus on with her kids. She always has great book suggestions. This year, I'm able to suggest one to her. My summer book is the one above that I recently heard about on NPR.

The premise is that American children these days do not have the same love of country that earlier generations grew up with. Our children know they're fortunate and know all about Independence Day and Washington, Jefferson, and Lincoln, but patriotism doesn't live in their hearts. This book by a New York Times author and a former White House speechwriter provides lots of great ideas for encouraging an awakening and deeper appreciation for the United States.

I just read the first couple of chapters this morning and I am already excited about this weekend's first foray into our Americana immersion. The best part about this book - these are great (and, in most cases, cheap or free) ideas for good old fashioned family fun time.

(David, I can feel you taking a deep breath as you steady yourelf for yet another one of my family adventure ideas!)

I'll be blogging regularly about our Patriot Summer so check back soon!