by Lynn Dean

This is the season for patriotism.
From Memorial Day in May to Veteran's Day in November, the calendar is sprinkled with red, white and blue.
But do our kids really understand what it means to be free?
Do they know the true meaning of Independence Day and the form of government we call democracy?
Do they realize that young men (and women) throughout the past two centuries have fought and given their lives to protect our way of life?
Do they understand that they might be expected to do the same?

Here are some ideas to help your kids appreciate the past and honor those who have fought to preserve our way of life.

Talk about the historical significance of the holiday you are celebrating. On the fourth of July, discuss some of the reasons for the American Revolution.
Why did the founding fathers want to break off from England?
Did they know that the "declaration" was actually the beginning of the war, not the end?
What do we remember on Memorial Day? Veteran's Day was originally designed to honor those who served in which war?

Revisit your family tree. Who in your family served in the armed forces? Did anyone serve during wartime?
Did anyone pay the ultimate price of their life? Encourage your children to talk to family veterans.
Have them ask questions about the time in which they served.
What do they want your children to know about this country?

Discuss what it means to be free.
Did they know that there are places where children can't choose what they want to do when they grow up?
Are they aware that some people can't live where they want to, or worship God as they choose?

Vote. No other lesson will have a greater impact than seeing democracy in action.
We can teach this lesson best by taking full advantage of our rights and responsibilities.
We need to register to vote, study the issues and then cast our ballots.
Take your kids with you when you vote.
Don't choose the presidential election, but rather a small local one and pick a slow time after school.
Then your kids can see the set-up, talk to the election personnel while you cast your ballot.

Buy a flag and fly it. Teach a reverence for the flag and what it stands for.
Learn together how to care for your flag, when to take it down, and what to do when it is time to replace it.
Talk about the symbolism of the flag: the stars represent the 50 states and the stripes represent the first thirteen states.
Originally the stars appeared in a circle to represent that no one state was superior to another.
Remind your children that people fought and died for our right to fly that flag and that many
veterans feel that clothing and other items with the Stars and Stripes are inappropriate.

Enjoy patriotic music together. Buy a tape or CD of John Phillips Sousa and make it part of your patriotic holiday celebrations.
Learn the words to the Star Spangled Banner.
Talk about Francis Scott Key and what events inspired him to write the song.

Attend parades commemorating patriotic holidays. Or why not have your own parade in your neighborhood?
Encourage all the kids to join in.
Make bike, big wheel, or wagon "floats" and take a trip or two around the block.
Play pots and pans instruments and carry the flag high.

Sprinkle lessons of American history into your child's life.
Watch specials on PBS, the History Channel or the Discovery Channel that talk about people and events that have formed this country and democracy.
Read biographies of famous people throughout history.
Since much of "history" focuses on men, talk about women's efforts as well.
It is time now to help our children understand how democracy works and the rights and responsibilities that accompany our form of government.
It is for the people and by the people and we the people need to participate to make it work.