When Iowa families gather for Veterans Day, they often hear the same patriotic platitudes. Nic Flood, a former Army National Guard medic who now works as a journeyman electrician and runs a popular YouTube channel, believes the conversation should go deeper. Flood, a father of two, told Fox News Digital that learning about America’s war heroes teaches “some of the best, bravest individuals that have ever existed on the face of the planet” and offers practical life lessons.
Storytelling as a teaching tool
Flood built his online following by chronicling the lives of American military heroes—from childhood, through service, to later‑in‑life achievements. He argues that history taught as a series of dates and battles often fails to connect with students. “It should feel less like a memory test and more like we’re learning about real people,” a student suggested after taking Flood’s survey, and Flood agrees.
Survey reveals a knowledge gap
To gauge how well young people understand military history, Flood commissioned a survey of more than 1,100 respondents across 49 states, focusing on 81 eighth‑graders whose teachers administered the questionnaire in class. The results were stark: 98% of those students could name pop‑culture facts such as Travis Kelce’s marriage to Taylor Swift, yet only 6% could name a Medal of Honor recipient. Just one in eight could identify a World War II hero, while nearly a third mistakenly chose actor Woody Harrelson when asked to name a war hero.
Despite the low awareness of military figures, 64% reported that a family member had served in the armed forces, and most rated their history class four or five stars out of five. The data suggests that interest is present, but the curriculum may not be reaching students in a compelling way.
Veterans’ lessons for everyday life
Flood points to the story of Vietnam War Medal of Honor recipient Roy Benavidez as a prime example of resilience. Benavidez survived a severe injury, returned to service, and helped save fellow soldiers during a fierce firefight. Flood says he draws on Benavidez’s perseverance when confronting his own injuries, noting, “If Roy Benavidez could live through what he did, I can get through this.” He believes such narratives provide powerful, age‑appropriate role models for children.
From videos to books
Encouraged by viewer demand, Flood expanded his storytelling into a children’s book series titled “Heroes Erased,” featuring ten American heroes from World War II. The series aims to give parents and teachers a tangible resource for sharing these stories at home and in classrooms.
“Everybody wants to hear these stories,” Flood said. “Everybody wants to be excited about history.” He stresses that honoring veterans should not be limited to a single day. “I don’t think you should just go out and learn these stories because you’re supposed to honor veterans. I think there’s actual value to be learned from hearing these stories and taking them in,” he added.
Why it matters for Iowa families
For Iowa’s many military families, the message resonates. The state consistently ranks among the top in the nation for military enlistments and veteran populations. By integrating veterans’ narratives into everyday education, Flood hopes to foster a deeper appreciation for the sacrifices that protect the freedoms Iowa families cherish.
Flood’s call to action aligns with a broader push among educators and community leaders to reinforce patriotic education without sacrificing academic rigor. As more parents and teachers seek engaging ways to teach history, platforms like Flood’s may become valuable partners in preserving the legacy of America’s military heroes for the next generation.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
