In episode 99 of The Liberty Spenders podcast, host Kurt Luidhardt interviews GNP President Craig Du Mez. Their discussion centers around how The Grateful Nation Project and Hero Cards engage young Americans, humanize those who gave “the last full measure of devotion for our freedom, and how “stories create connection in ways information alone never can.”
Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube (video)
BROOKFIELD, WISCONSIN – December 2, 2025 – A newly launched “America 250 Civics Education Coalition” has added The Grateful Nation Project to its list of over 40 partner organizations. Under the motto Know America. Love America., the coalition is led by America First Policy Institute, with oversight from the U.S. Department of Education and Secretary Linda E. McMahon.
“As America approaches 250 years since its founding, we are proud to announce this coalition to ensure every young American understands the beauty of our nation and is equipped with the civic knowledge required to contribute meaningfully to its future,” said Secretary McMahon. “A country cannot survive if its values are forgotten by its people. More than ever, we need to restore the vitality of the American spirit, and this coalition will take bold steps to educate, inspire, and mobilize youth toward active and informed citizenship.”
The Grateful Nation Project joins other education-focused coalition partners, including Hillsdale College, The Fund for American Studies, National Association of Scholars, PragerU, and Turning Point USA’s education division, among others.
“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 proud to work with these outstanding coalition partners in the nation’s classrooms—to celebrate America’s history and to inspire civic responsibility.”
For more information about The Grateful Nation Project, visit www.gratefulnation.us.
For more information about the America 250 Civics Education Coalition, visit america250civics.com.
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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.
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.
Congratulations to Krista Simpson Anderson, who has been named to “The Mighty 25” by We Are The Mighty—a veteran-led publisher and Emmy-award-winning media agency. Those on the list of honorees are recognized for “using their platforms–whether on stage, in uniform, or behind the camera–to make sure military and military family voices are heard and honored.”
Krista is a tireless advocate for military families, and we’re blessed to have her wisdom and perspective as a member of The Grateful Nation Project’s Board of Directors. Congratulations, Krista!
See The Mighty 25 honorees, including Krista S. Anderson’s story
Listen online to Our American Stories (July 7, 2025): Buried as a Mystery, Remembered by Name: The Story of Michael Blassie (9 minutes), or on your favorite podcast platform: Apple Podcasts | iHeart | Spotify
Hosted by Lee Habeeb, the Our American Stories podcast has invited The Grateful Nation Project to contribute recordings of our Heroes’ biographies! OAS is a highly-regarded and popular podcast—also heard on 400+ affiliate radio stations—whose purpose is “Telling the Story of America to Americans.”
This episode tells the story of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, and about one of the “unknowns” who was identified through DNA analysis. (Hero 193).
Previous Grateful Nation Project / Our American Story episodes:
Who Was the Oldest Man at D-Day? The Untold Story of Theodore Roosevelt Jr. (8 minutes)
July 2, 2025: Apple Podcasts | iHeart | Spotify
Oliver Hazard Perry: The Hero of Lake Erie (8 minutes)
March 13, 2025: Apple Podcasts | iHeart | Spotify
The Story of the Last Man to Die In WWI (9 minutes)
January 23, 2025: Apple Podcasts | iHeart | Spotify
The Story of the Four Immortal Chaplains (9 minutes)
January 10, 2025: Apple Podcasts | iHeart | Spotify
The Story of the Man the Mountain is Named After—Pike’s Peak (11 minutes)
December 3, 2024: Apple Podcasts | iHeart | Spotify
The Native American Who Fought Alongside George Washington—Daniel Nimham (8 minutes)
October 25, 2024: Apple Podcasts | iHeart | Spotify
The Story of The First Man To Die In an Airplane Crash (11 minutes)
September 25, 2024: Apple Podcasts | iHeart | Spotify
Listen online to Our American Stories (July 2, 2025): Who Was the Oldest Man at D-Day? The Untold Story of Theodore Roosevelt Jr. (8 minutes), or on your favorite podcast platform: Apple Podcasts | iHeart | Spotify
Hosted by Lee Habeeb, the Our American Stories podcast has invited The Grateful Nation Project to contribute recordings of our Heroes’ biographies! OAS is a highly-regarded and popular podcast—also heard on 400+ affiliate radio stations—whose purpose is “Telling the Story of America to Americans.”
This episode tells the story of Theodore Roosevelt Jr., son of the famous president and the oldest man to land on the beaches of Normandy. (Hero 181).
Previous Grateful Nation Project / Our American Story episodes:
Oliver Hazard Perry: The Hero of Lake Erie (8 minutes)
March 13, 2025: Apple Podcasts | iHeart | Spotify
The Story of the Last Man to Die In WWI (9 minutes)
January 23, 2025: Apple Podcasts | iHeart | Spotify
The Story of the Four Immortal Chaplains (9 minutes)
January 10, 2025: Apple Podcasts | iHeart | Spotify
The Story of the Man the Mountain is Named After—Pike’s Peak (11 minutes)
December 3, 2024: Apple Podcasts | iHeart | Spotify
The Native American Who Fought Alongside George Washington—Daniel Nimham (8 minutes)
October 25, 2024: Apple Podcasts | iHeart | Spotify
The Story of The First Man To Die In an Airplane Crash (11 minutes)
September 25, 2024: Apple Podcasts | iHeart | Spotify
Gold Star Wife and Grateful Nation Project Board Member Krista Simpson Anderson is one of three Featured Stories for the 2025 National Memorial Day Concert aired on PBS - Sunday, May 25, (8:00 PM ET, 7:00 PM CT). Krista’s husband, SSG Michael H. Simpson (Hero 140) was lost on May 1, 2013 in Ghazni Province, Afghanistan.
We’re forever grateful to SSG Simpson for giving “the last full measure of devotion” for our freedom, and to Krista’s family for their example of courage and resilience for all who suffer loss.
Watch Krista’s Featured Story video
Leading up to Memorial Day 2025, host Tamara Scott interviews guest Craig Du Mez, President and Founder of The Grateful Nation Project. Listen in to (audio only) The Tamara Scott Show from May 22, 2025:
Listen online to Our American Stories (March 13, 2025): Oliver Hazard Perry: The Hero of Lake Erie (8 minutes), or on your favorite podcast platform: Apple Podcasts | iHeart | Spotify
Hosted by Lee Habeeb, the Our American Stories podcast has invited The Grateful Nation Project to contribute recordings of our Heroes’ biographies! OAS is a highly-regarded and popular podcast—also heard on 400+ affiliate radio stations—whose purpose is “Telling the Story of America to Americans.”
This episode tells the story of Oliver Hazard Perry, who took on the world’s most powerful Navy, and penned the famous battle report, “We have met the enemy and they are ours.” (Hero 168).
Previous Grateful Nation Project / Our American Story episodes:
The Story of the Last Man to Die In WWI (9 minutes)
January 23, 2025: Apple Podcasts | iHeart | Spotify
The Story of the Four Immortal Chaplains (9 minutes)
January 10, 2025: Apple Podcasts | iHeart | Spotify
The Story of the Man the Mountain is Named After—Pike’s Peak (11 minutes)
December 3, 2024: Apple Podcasts | iHeart | Spotify
The Native American Who Fought Alongside George Washington—Daniel Nimham (8 minutes)
October 25, 2024: Apple Podcasts | iHeart | Spotify
The Story of The First Man To Die In an Airplane Crash (11 minutes)
September 25, 2024: Apple Podcasts | iHeart | Spotify
Listen online to Our American Stories (January 23, 2025): The Story of the Last Man to Die In WWI (9 minutes), or on your favorite podcast platform: Apple Podcasts | iHeart | Spotify
Hosted by Lee Habeeb, the Our American Stories podcast has invited The Grateful Nation Project to contribute recordings of our Heroes’ biographies! OAS is a highly-regarded and popular podcast—also heard on 400+ affiliate radio stations—whose purpose is “Telling the Story of America to Americans.”
This episode tells the story of Henry Gunther, a German-American who was lost one minute before hostilities ended—and is officially recorded as the last man to die in World War I (Hero 110).
Previous Grateful Nation Project / Our American Story episodes:
The Story of the Four Immortal Chaplains (9 minutes)
January 10, 2025: Apple Podcasts | iHeart | Spotify
The Story of the Man the Mountain is Named After—Pike’s Peak (11 minutes)
December 3, 2024: Apple Podcasts | iHeart | Spotify
The Native American Who Fought Alongside George Washington—Daniel Nimham (8 minutes)
October 25, 2024: Apple Podcasts | iHeart | Spotify
The Story of The First Man To Die In an Airplane Crash (11 minutes)
September 25, 2024: Apple Podcasts | iHeart | Spotify
Listen online to Our American Stories (January 10, 2025): The Story of the Four Immortal Chaplains (9 minutes), or on your favorite podcast platform: Apple Podcasts | iHeart | Spotify
Hosted by Lee Habeeb, the Our American Stories podcast has invited The Grateful Nation Project to contribute recordings of our Heroes’ biographies! OAS is a highly-regarded and popular podcast—also heard on 400+ affiliate radio stations—whose purpose is “Telling the Story of America to Americans.”
This episode tells the story of the USAT Dorchester, torpedoed by a German U-boat in the frigid waters off the coast of Greenland. Four selfless heroes from that tragic event would gain lasting fame as “The Four Chaplains.” (Heroes 112, 113, 114, 115—Card Pack 10).
Previous Grateful Nation Project / Our American Story episodes:
The Story of the Man the Mountain is Named After—Pike’s Peak (11 minutes)
December 3, 2024: Apple Podcasts | iHeart | Spotify
The Native American Who Fought Alongside George Washington—Daniel Nimham (8 minutes)
October 25, 2024: Apple Podcasts | iHeart | Spotify
The Story of The First Man To Die In an Airplane Crash (11 minutes)
September 25, 2024: Apple Podcasts | iHeart | Spotify
Listen online to Our American Stories (December 3, 2024): The Story of the Man the Mountain is Named After—Pike’s Peak (11 minutes), or on your favorite podcast platform: Apple Podcasts | iHeart | Spotify
Hosted by Lee Habeeb, the Our American Stories podcast has invited The Grateful Nation Project to contribute recordings of our Heroes’ biographies! OAS is a highly-regarded and popular podcast—also heard on 400+ affiliate radio stations—whose purpose is “Telling the Story of America to Americans.”
This episode tells the story of Zebulon Montgomery Pike (Hero 41, Card Pack 4). For two centuries, historians have argued whether he was an explorer…or, perhaps a spy!
Previous Grateful Nation Project / Our American Story episodes:
The Native American Who Fought Alongside George Washington—Daniel Nimham (8 minutes)
October 25, 2024: Apple Podcasts | iHeart | Spotify
The Story of The First Man To Die In an Airplane Crash (11 minutes)
September 25, 2024: Apple Podcasts | iHeart | Spotify
Listen online to Our American Stories (October 25, 2024): The Native American Who Fought Alongside George Washington—Daniel Nimham (8 minutes), or on your favorite podcast platform: Apple Podcasts | iHeart | Spotify
Hosted by Lee Habeeb, the Our American Stories podcast has invited The Grateful Nation Project to contribute recordings of our Heroes’ biographies! OAS is a highly-regarded and popular podcast—also heard on 400+ affiliate radio stations—whose purpose is “Telling the Story of America to Americans.”
This episode tells the story of Daniel Nimham (Hero 187, Card Pack 16), a diplomat, a warrior, and the last sachem (leader) of the Wappinger tribe in New York’s Hudson Valley. He fought alongside Gen. George Washington, joining the cause for freedom.
Listen online to Our American Stories (September 25, 2024): The Story of The First Man To Die In an Airplane Crash (11 minutes), or on your favorite podcast platform: Apple Podcasts | iHeart | Spotify
Hosted by Lee Habeeb, the Our American Stories podcast has invited The Grateful Nation Project to contribute recordings of our Heroes’ biographies! OAS is a highly-regarded and popular podcast—also heard on 400+ affiliate radio stations—whose purpose is “Telling the Story of America to Americans.”
Our first contribution tells the story of Thomas Etholen Selfridge (Hero 26, Card Pack 3), one of the pioneers of mechanized flight who—at age 26—was responsible for some significant “firsts.”
Hosts Tom McLean and Jodi Vickery discuss The Grateful Nation Project with President & Founder Craig Du Mez.
Listen to Militarily Speaking, Episode 61 (40 minutes) on the Armed Forces Bank website, or your favorite podcast platform: Apple Podcasts | Audible | Blubrry | iHeart | Spotify | YouTube
