It’s unfortunately too easy to be so busy living life that you momentarily lose sight of just how fortunate we are to experience all the freedoms, all the choices, all the opportunities we are given. We owe an eternal debt of gratitude to the courageous men and women who put their own lives on the line – all for the sake of securing a country, and a world where its citizens can live freely and make a better life for themselves and their families.
On Veterans Day, and any day, there are things we can do to pay our respect and show our support for these incredible people. Here are just a few ideas, please add yours in the comments:
Visit a national park commemorating where they fought and served their country. This idea stems from the NPS and according to their site, “contains a sampling of National Park Service sites that can help visitors gain an understanding of what America’s veterans fought for, and provides a link to our past, present, and future.”
Send an E-Card through the Easter Seals expressing your gratitude for their hard work and dedication. Easter Seals offers community-based services and support for America’s military service members, veterans with disabilities and their families. As service members return from Iraq and Afghanistan, the Easter Seals Military and Veterans initiative is responding to the needs of injured military service members transitioning to civilian life.
Work with the USO – become a partner, make a donation, become a volunteer. They proudly serve the men and women who serve our country. Learn more here: United Service Organizations
Scan the web – take some time out of your day today and visit sites like Honor Our Veterans. Read up on the history of Veteran Day on military.com’s page. The least we can do is take pause and reflect on their bravery and dedication.
Support great causes and spread the word about them – one I love is the Honor Flight Network. It was created to give veterans the opportunity to travel for free to visit the memorials created in their honor, because they may not have the financial or physical freedom to do so.
Participate and support your local chapters of veterans service organizations like the American Legion and VFW. Keep your eyes and ears open for events run by your local chapters, and come out when they run tricky trays, blood drives, food drives.
photo courtesy of Wigwam Jones
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