Gratitude For Our Veterans

The History of Veterans Day

Veterans Day was this past Sunday, November 11th. In 1918, the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month originally marked the end of World War I and was celebrated in the US and other countries as Armistice Day. Congress enacted Armistice Day as a federal holiday in 1938 and was changed from “Armistice” to “Veterans” Day in 1954 as a day to honor all veterans.

Telling someone in uniform “thank you for your service” seems the right thing to do on Veterans Day, as military service too often comes with hardships where service men and women must make personal sacrifices in order to accomplish them. A verbal thank you may bring a sense of comradery, but the message may seem peculiar coming from a complete stranger, feel like an empty gesture to some veterans, and may even evoke unpleasant memories for others.  

Ways to Show Our Thanks to Veterans

As the saying goes, it is often more meaningful when we show our gratitude rather than just saying so. Here are some ways to show we mean thanks that make a positive impact on veterans:

• If you own or manage a business, offer discounts for veterans and service people.
• Hire a veteran or military spouse to be a part of your business. Organizations like PsychArmor provide educational resources to hire, train, and retain veterans and military spouses
• Send a postcard or letter to any veterans in your life, or those you might know who are still away on active duty. Check up on those who are adjusting to life back as a civilian, and see if they’d enjoy your company.
• Volunteer your time at an event or with an organization dedicated to veterans. The skills you have developed from your job could be very helpful; for example, you can put your knowledge of construction to help build homes for veterans or expertise in law to assist veterans experiencing legal issues. Massage therapists and yoga instructors can also help veterans experiencing PTSD.
• If you don’t have time, non-profits like the Wounded Warrior Project and many other organizations for veterans could always benefit from donations.

Veterans Day serves as a reminder to be grateful for those who show up for a challenging line of duty. Consider one of these ways to show our thanks to those who have served our country.