Project HOME: From One School to a National Movement of Thanks

A Humble Beginning

During the 2022–23 school year, students at Van Horn High School began a project-based learning initiative titled Project HOME. The mission was simple yet profound: create handcrafted wooden American flags to honor veterans residing in the Kansas City Veterans Community Project (KCVCP)—a national organization that provides food, shelter, clothing, and transition support for homeless veterans.

Each year, students at Van Horn build and deliver 49 wooden flags, one for every tiny home at the KCVCP. In May, during Veterans Appreciation Month, these tokens of gratitude are presented to the men and women who have served our nation.

In 2022–23, 32 students from Van Horn delivered 49 flags to veterans.
In 2023–24, Van Horn partnered with Truman and Chrisman High Schools, expanding the effort. Sixty-two students from all three ISD schools produced and delivered 150 flags.

From Local to National

In Spring 2024, the Veterans Community Project expanded nationally—reaching Longmont, Colorado, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and St. Louis, Missouri. While it would have been easy to rest on the success already achieved, we had bigger dreams: a national network of schools working in unity to honor veterans through Project HOME.

Emails and sample flags were sent to prospective partner schools. By August 2024, we proudly welcomed:

Fox C-6 in Arnold, Missouri – serving veterans in St. Louis
Jefferson High School in Sioux Falls, South Dakota – serving local VCP residents
Career Elevation and Technology Center in Longmont, Colorado – supporting Longmont veterans

Four schools across four states, working together to say, “Thank you.”

A Community Response

In 2024–25, Van Horn’s own Jim Oatman was named District Teacher of the Year. During his convocation speech, he issued a heartfelt challenge: invite all ISD schools to participate by creating thank-you cards, letters of gratitude, and artwork to accompany each flag.

The response was overwhelming.

1,261 students and educators from across the Independence School District (ISD) contributed.
Eight additional schools outside of ISD joined the project—including an elementary school in Honolulu, Hawaii, 3,833 miles away.

On May 2, 2025, we once again delivered the flags to KCVCP. Thirty-nine students from Van Horn’s Industrial Technology Academy, the Color Guard, and the Cool Beans Café at Pioneer Ridge Middle School took part in this moving tribute.

The Story Flag

To commemorate the growing journey of Project HOME, a large-scale flag was created and presented to the Kansas City VCP. Measuring 58½” x 30”, the front proudly displays red and white stripes and a star-filled blue field. On the back, a collage showcases:

Names of all participating schools and individuals
A selection of thank-you cards and artwork placed in each veteran’s delivery box

It’s a lasting reminder to our veterans: You did your part by serving our country. Now let us do ours by having your back.

Looking Ahead: 2025–26 and Beyond

The story doesn’t end here. The VCP is preparing to break ground in Glendale, Arizona and Madison, Wisconsin. New school partnerships are already forming—including a middle school in Madison that reached out via social media.

But that’s not the only exciting change.

In 2025–26, we will launch a new initiative:

“It Mattered to Me”

This expanded project will honor all who have served—including first responders, police officers, firefighters, and military personnel. Flags will be crafted not only to honor those who are still with us but also to memorialize those who have passed.

Thanks to a generous ISD business partner, flags will even be hand-delivered to the last five living Pearl Harbor survivors.