Wreaths Across America Curriculum

Click on each lesson plan below to download the curriculum.

For questions or ideas on curriculum, or to support the TEACH initiatives, please click the button below.

TEACH

Meet Wreaths Across America's Curriculum Developer

Cindy Tatum, Gold Star Mother

Cindy became a Gold Star Mother on December 24, 2007, when her son, Cpl. Daniel Lee Tatum, USMC, was killed outside of Camp Pendleton in an automobile/train collision. Daniel had served two deployments in Iraq.

Approximately two years after the death of Daniel, Cindy knew she had to “do” something to help keep the memory of her son’s service alive. At that time, she was introduced to American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. Cindy believed it was a worthy organization because of their mission’s emphasis of service to veterans, active duty military personnel and their families. In 2009, Cindy joined American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. She is an active member at the Chapter and Department levels in her home state of TN. Cindy served on the National Executive Board of AGSM from 2013-2021, serving as the 2020-21 National President.

In 2014, Cindy spearheaded a project to have State Route 1, which reaches across 538 miles in Tennessee, designated “Gold Star Families Memorial Highway.” She has participated in the annual Gold Star Mothers-Bumpus Harley Davidson Tour of Duty Ride campaigns for the past ten years, helping to raise almost $200,000 for causes that assist veterans, active-duty military, and their families. She enjoys visiting older veterans at the local VA Home!

As an educator for much of her adult life, Cindy was delighted when she was approached by Wreaths Across America and asked to help develop curriculum for the Teach component of the Wreaths Across America-Remember, Honor, Teach Mission!
Cindy currently serves as Gold Star Liaison on the Woody Williams Gold Star Families Monument Committee for the Memphis Liberty Park Gold Star Families Memorial Monument.

Cindy lives in Milan, TN with her husband of 39 years Andy, and her Service Dog Linus. They have two adult children and four wonderful grandchildren. She retired in May 2020, after spending 26 years as a Government and Economics teacher at Milan High School.

Cindy

Education Partners

Library of Congress Veterans History Project

IKE Eisenhower Foundation

Congressional Medal of Honor Society

Random Acts of Kindness Foundation

The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration

Military Child Education Coalition

Korean War Legacy Foundation


What is a Veterans' Wreath? | Wreaths Across America Veterans' Wreaths


Downloadable Materials


Teach: The Meaning Behind The Theme

Kids Praying

From the first time a veteran’s wreath was placed at Arlington National Cemetery by the founding family in 1992, the power of a personal connection with the past initiated an opportunity to teach, and to learn.

In 2021, our longstanding desire to develop a more robust teach program took a giant step forward when Past President of American Gold Star Mothers, Inc., and retired teacher Cindy Tatum stepped forward to help us achieve this dream.

Armed with her personal experiences and understanding of the mission, Cindy has worked with other like-minded organizations to share proven teaching tools as well as develop a series of character-building exercises targeting a range of age groups. Using the stories of the men and women who served in the United States Military, and the examples of their character we hope to influence the lives of our children.

We owe it to our veterans and to our children to share their stories. In their example, the question, is America worth fighting for, is answered.

Sincerely,

Karen Signature

Karen Worcester

Executive Director


Additional Links


TEACH the next generation the value of freedom!

Remember Honor Teach PSA '23

Teacher Appreciation Week 23


News and Radio

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Wreaths Across America Radio

WAA Radio offers patriotic music of all genres and informational content about members of the U.S. armed forces, their families, military veterans, and volunteers across the country and overseas who support our mission to remember, honor and teach.