BROOKFIELD, WISCONSIN – November 4, 2025 – The Grateful Nation Project, a 501(c)(3) educational nonprofit organization, has launched a “Semiquincentennial School States Challenge” to schools and school districts across the country. The goal of the Challenge is to introduce students to those who gave “the last full measure of devotion” for our freedom over the last 250 years, and to inspire gratitude.
The Grateful Nation Project gathers, preserves, and shares the stories of U.S. service members—from the American Revolution to the present day—who were lost while serving. Through special school events or as a social studies/history curriculum supplement, the Project delivers “Hero Cards” of lost soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines. Each Hero Card has a lost service member’s image, a brief part of their story, and leads to an online biography with source links.
The cost of the Project is typically $1 per Hero Card. Through the Challenge, any school or district that is the first in their state to introduce the Grateful Nation Project will receive their first 50 Hero Cards at no cost.
“The Semiquincentennial presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to focus on America’s story, and to recommit to its founding principles,” says Grateful Nation Project president Craig Du Mez. “We’re looking to get the program into schools in all 50 states, plus D.C. Besides the 2026 celebration year, three of the military branches had their own semiquincentennials as we close out this year.” In 2025, the U.S. Army celebrated its 250th birthday on June 14, the Navy on October 13, and the Marine Corps on November 10.
States (in red) are already claimed for the “Semiquincentennial School States Challenge,” as of November 4, 2025. See the most current map >
“We currently have the Project at schools in 24 states,” said Du Mez. “Many schools cover the cost from their curriculum or events budgets—or through donations from parents, Veterans organizations, community organizations, or local businesses who support the schools and support our Veterans. We also use direct donations made to the Grateful Nation Project to help schools who need it.”
Implementation suggestions are available at the “For Schools” section of the organization’s website, where schools can sign up for the The Grateful Nation Project whether or not they are the first in their state. A list of participating schools, and states already claimed in the Challenge can be found at www.gratefulnation.us/gnp-participants.
Each Hero Card leads to that individual’s online biography.
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The Grateful Nation Project HC Inc., a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, educational, all-volunteer organization (EIN: 99-1659578). The organization gathers, preserves, and shares the stories of those who gave “the last full measure of devotion” while serving in the U.S. military. These stories are shared through the distribution of Hero Cards and accompanying online biographies to schools and homes across the USA. For more information, visit www.gratefulnation.us or www.herocards.us.
