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|                                                             |                                                              | More ResourcesA Remembrance Ceremony for SchoolsPDF (136K) | MS Word (84K)
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|A Remembrance Ceremony for SchoolsPDF (136K) | MS Word (84K) |                                                              |                                                                           
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|                                                             | A Remembrance Ceremony for SchoolsPDF (136K) | MS Word (84K) |                                                                           
|                                                             | PDF (136K) | MS Word (84K)                                  
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Dear Educators:

The White House Commission on the National Moment of Remembrance was established 
by Congress to put the "memorial" back in Memorial Day. As a member 
of the Commission, I am writing to ask for your support to reclaim this noble 
holiday for its intended purpose of honoring those who have died in service to 
our great country.

As I write, Americans are learning of the death of Pat Tillman, the Army Ranger 
  who left a promising career in the NFL to fight for the freedoms many take for 
  granted. The Moment of Remembrance is for all the Pat Tillmans who have sacrificed 
  to preserve our freedom.

Too many Americans have lost sight of the meaning of Memorial Day. In fact, 
  the idea of the Moment was born in 1996 when children touring our Nation's capital 
  were asked what Memorial Day means and responded, "That's the day the pools 
  open."

On Memorial Day, May 31, Americans will observe a National Moment of Remembrance 
  everywhere at 3:00 p.m. local time. The theme is "One Nation, One Moment." 
  We need your help to gain the broadest possible awareness and participation 
  among young people.

Please let teachers and students know about the opportunity to participate 
  in a new American tradition simply by pausing wherever they may be at 3:00 p.m. 
  for one minute to reflect on our fallen heroes. They can encourage their families 
  and friends to join them. If they are driving at 3:00 p.m., they can simply 
  turn on their vehicles' headlights. For schools that are in session after the 
  holiday, teachers can ask students to recount how they observed the Moment of 
  Remembrance. This may be appropriate to integrate into end-of-year classes and 
  activities. A variety of tools are available at the official Web site, www.remember.gov.

I hope that all educators and students will join with the President and me 
  in encouraging all Americans to honor the men and women who have died in service 
  to our Nation and left us a legacy of service, a heritage of sacrifice, and 
  the gift of freedom. Let us never forget.

Thank you for your support and participation.

Sincerely,

/s/

Rod Paige

|Last Modified: 05/14/2004
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