Memorial Day
Scavenger Hunt
Created by: Kimberly Hallam
Introduction
This scavenger hunt is designed to help educate students on the importance of Memorial Day and other related areas. Students seem to know that this is a day where they do not have school, but many do not really have an understanding of why it is observed. By using the Internet and the addresses given, they will need to answer the questions below. This in turn should help the students understand why we observe this holiday.
Questions
Using the web sites given, answer the questions given under each site.
Celebrate America's Freedoms--Veterans Day
1. Find the celebrated ending of World War I. _________________________
(hour, day, month)
2. When did Armistice Day become a national holiday? __________________
____________________________________________________________
3. Why does The Old Guard keep day and night vigils at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier? _______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
1. When was the official flag established? ____________________________
2. When was the first time the Stars and Stripes flew in a Flag Day celebration? ________________________________________
3. When was Flag Day voted to be a permanent holiday? _______________________________
Guidelines for Display of the Flag
1. During what types of weather should a flag not be flown? Why?
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
2. How should a flag be placed over a casket? ________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
3. List 3 things one should never do, out of respect, to the flag. ___________
_______________________________________________________________
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1. Who was the first person to use the name "Old Glory"? _______________
_______________________________________________________________
2. Where did Captain Driver hide his flag? ___________________________
_______________________________________________________________
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3. Where is this flag today? ________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
Flying the American Flag at Half Staff
1. What is an easy way to remember when to fly the flag at half-staff?
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
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2. How long should a flag be flown at half-staff after the President of the
United States dies?
_______________________________________________________________
3. Who issued the proclamation stating when to fly the flag at half-staff?
When did this happen?
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
1. How many words are there in "The Pledge of Allegiance"? ____________
2. What was "The Pledge of Allegiance" written for? ___________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
3. When did school children first recite "The Pledge of Allegiance"?
_______________________________________________________________
4. What does "One Nation indivisible" refer to ? _______________________
_______________________________________________________________
5. How does "The Pledge of Allegiance" now read? ____________________
_______________________________________________________________
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1. How long has the bald eagle been our national bird? __________________
2. Name the four gold coins in which the eagle appears on the reverse side.
_______________________________________________________________
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3. Why has the eagle declined in recent times? ________________________
_______________________________________________________________
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1. When did "The Star Spangled Banner" officially become the national
anthem?
____________________________________________________
2. Name two other songs that were considered for use as the national
anthem.
_____________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
3. How many verses does "The Star Spangled Banner" have and what is the
last line of each verse.
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
1. When was the song given the name "taps"? _________________________
2. By what date was it regulation to play taps at military funerals? ________
3. When is taps now played? ______________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
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1. In 1841, the gun salute was standardized to how many guns? __________
2. When was the 21-gun salute formally adopted? _____________________
3. Why is it believed that gun salutes are set off in odd numbers?
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
1. When was Decoration Day established? ___________________________
2. Where is the official birthplace of Memorial Day? ___________________
_______________________________________________________________
3. When was Memorial Day declared a national holiday? ________________
_______________________________________________________________
4. How many Americans have died in the nation's wars?
_______________________________________________________________________
1. When did national cemeteries begin? ______________________________
2. Who were declared eligible for burial in national cemeteries after World
War II?
______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
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3. Name the 3 departments that oversee the national cemeteries.
_______________________________________________________________________
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1. How many people visit Arlington National Cemetery every year?
_______________________________________________________________
2. When was the first soldier buried in Arlington? ______________________
3. Who can be buried here? _______________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
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4. Name 4 prominent Americans buried in Arlington.
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
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2. Name the following War Memorials:
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_________________________________
1. What is the name of the following poem and who wrote it?
_______________________________________________________________
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe!
To you from failing hands, we throw
The torch-Be yours to hold it high!
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
1. What is this a picture of and what war is it a memorial for?
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
Related Internet Sites
Along with the sites given above, the following sites contain information related to veterans and Veterans Day. Look at these sites and find out some incredible information about what this day means to our country and the people who have fought to defend it.
Major US Wars and Military Involvement: Webquests and Activities
United States Department of Veterans Affairs
United States Department of Veterans Affairs--Veterans Day
Honoring Our Veterans--A Scavenger Hunt by Cathy Schroepfer
Vicki Blackwell's Veterans Day and Memorial Day Links
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