Honoring our veterans

Friday is Veterans Day. In 1918, on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, the brutal conflicts of the First World War concluded by armistice. In the following year, President Wilson vowed to remember November 11th as Armistice Day, a day to be “be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service.” Following World War II, Congress altered the occasion’s name to Veterans Day in 1954. Many Americans will never fully comprehend the sacrifices of our military and their families, but by offering respect and support, you can show your gratitude on Veterans Day and throughout the year.

Respond to the service of veterans by serving in your community. 

The men and women of the American military fight bravely to protect American freedom and human rights around the globe. You can volunteer locally for a variety of causes that meet the needs of veterans and the needs of the greater community.  

Fund veterans’ causes. 

The needs of American veterans are complex and varied. Healing the physical and emotional wounds of wartime service is a lengthy and costly process. You can personally donate to organizations that serve this purpose, or you can head up an event to raise resources for such a cause. The Wounded Warrior Project is one group reaching out to the veterans of recent service to help them adapt to life-changing physical injuries, cope with emotional and mental trauma, and create stable lives outside of the military. 

Spend time with a veteran. 

Your time may be the greatest gift you can offer. Military veterans give up years of their lives, forgoing safety and security. Take time to share this day with a veteran. Offer your thanks, and see where the conversation leads. Some veterans may not want to discuss the particulars of their service, but if they do have a story they wish to share, consider asking to record their words to permanently capture the story for future generations. 

November 11th remains a day dedicated to remembrance and recognition for American veterans. It doesn’t matter so much how you mark this occasion; it is most important that you remember. Remember those who gave their lives. Remember those who made it home. Remember the values and the cause they fought for. Just remember.