Read Quiet Hero: Ira Hayes Story by S.D. Nelson. This is a true story about a boy named, Ira who grew up being a very shy and lonely kid. Soon after Pearl Harbor was bombed, Ira joined the Marine Corps at the age of 19. When he completed boot camp, Ira finally felt as if he belonged, which is something he hasn’t felt before. Pause reading to show photo:
Primary source photo/statue: Flag raising atop Mount Suribachi (See Appendix #13).
Continue reading: Ira Hayes was along with six other men to raise the United States flag on top of Mount Suribachi, which was captured by a photographer on scene. Explain that this photo is still really famous today. Now, show the primary source photo of the flag raising of 9/11 (See Appendix #14). Ask, “Do we …show more content…
Then have students work in pairs to create a word web for Ira. After they create their word web, have students share out and support their responses with evidence. For example, “I think Ira Hayes was brave because he joined the Marine Corps when he was only 19 years old.” As students share out, teacher will create a poster class web just like we did previously for other heroes.
Going back to our regions and using the region worksheet, which students labeled and colored (See Appendix #10) locate the state Arizona, where Ira Hayes was born. Ask, “What region is the state Arizona located?” and “What region is Ira Hayes from?” Ira Hayes is from the Southwest region. Ask, “What type of region is Southwest?”
Describe the region by writing on the blank map poster.

Under the Southwest Region:
• Includes 4 states – Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and Oklahoma
• Beautiful deserts and canyons
• Home of the Grand Canyon!

Introduce that heroes can also be soldiers, police officers, doctors, nurses, firefighters, family members, and etc. They don’t have to be famous to be a hero, just like the many soldiers that serve our country today. Explain the important of these photos that even though we go through tragedies, as a nation we stand together to overcome them. That is why these soldiers and firefighters stood together to raise the United States