As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the
highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.
~John Fitzgerald Kennedy
I did not forget Veterans Day. I live with a veteran; I have seen how
fighting a war has changed him. I am the
daughter, niece, and grand-daughter of veterans. The veterans in my family stretch back to the
Revolutionary War. I knew Veterans Day
was coming, but rather than write an inspired blog about what a veteran gives, what being a veteran means, I decided to do something a little different.
Veterans, soldiers, get two days out of the year, Veterans
Day and Memorial Day. Veterans Day is
usually overshadowed by the rush of the holidays, and Memorial Day has been
bastardized into the unofficial start of summer. The two days that should be hallowed days for
us have been turned into something different.
But ultimately, it shouldn’t be two days. We should not thank the military men and women
who have bled, fought, and even died for us, two days of the year. Our thoughts and prayers, our help, should be
extended to every veteran, every day of the year. Putting a flag on the front lawn, and wearing
navy blue a few times a year is not enough.
Giving your time, giving freely of yourself, that is
enough. I’m not advocating everyone run
out and marry a soldier, but give your time, volunteer. Donate money to cash strapped organizations
trying to support veterans. Spend a few hours
a week manning the USO airport lounges, write letters to soldiers who might not
be getting them, buy the soldier on his way home a cup of coffee when you see
him, sit with the veterans of World War 2, of Korea, of Vietnam and listen of
them talk, sew a blanket for the child of a soldier to sleep with during a
deployment, get dinner for the homeless veterans you pass on the way to work, buy a tshirt that supports the Wounded Warrior project, put on a
pair of boots, take a picture (or have someone take pictures), and send them to
the Boot Campaign. Do SOMETHING.
This is why I waited until after Veterans Day. Rather than beat the drums of patriotism, for
just one day, I wanted to make a statement.
I wanted to do something meaningful.
I am proposing a challenge, to anyone who might read
this. On Veterans Day, on Memorial Day,
on The 4th of July, on the less than handful of days we take to
honor our soldiers; do something more than just put the flag up and go to a
parade. Do something meaningful and
important for a soldier, spend some time with a soldier, give more of yourself
than you have on the days that have come and gone before. And do that over and over again. Give of yourself, as often as you can, as
much as you can.
~Jennifer
For places to start, for ideas on how to help:
There are many many more ways to help, to honor, our veterans. Find a way that works best for you, and do something to help.
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