How to Honor Veterans on President's Day

We honor those who fought for our country on Veterans Day and those who died in its defense on Memorial Day. But you can use President's Day to honor veterans as well. Every U.S. president serves as Commander in Chief, leading our armed forces in time of war, and many of them fought in defense of our country in the years before they turned to politics. You can use President's Day as a way to honor them as you would on Veterans' Day or Memorial Day.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Involve yourself in civic affairs. Regardless of the cause or the war, veterans fought because they believe in our country's freedoms and our ability to participate vigorously in the democratic process. The best way to honor veterans is to take notice of the instruments of our government and participate in them. Write a letter to your Congressman in support of or opposition to a given subject. Attend a civic council meeting on the week of President's Day. Find some way to insert yourself into the process and take the day to do that.
2. Visit a local VA medical facility and spend some time with the men and women there. Listen to their stories and try to understand what they went through during their time in the service.
3. Visit a national cemetery or a historic U.S. battlefield. From Pearl Harbor to Washington DC, a number of parks and cemeteries honor the sacrifices of those who fought.
4. Send an e-card to a soldier in Iraq and thank him for his dedication. Even if you disagree with the war and have strong feelings about the reasons we're fighting there, the soldiers on the ground deserve to know that people here are thinking about them.
5. Read about the military service of former U.S. presidents and observe their accomplishments on the battlefield. Some, like Grant and Eisenhower, served as generals, while others like John F. Kennedy and George H.W. Bush were rank and file.
6. Find and read a speech delivered by a U.S. president during each major war or conflict our country has fought. Some are easy to find, such as Lincoln's Civil War speeches. Others are more obscure or difficult to locate. But every war has its veterans and every war has a president who honored their commitment in a speech.

Tips & Warnings

• If you want to help honor veterans on President's Day, but you're not sure exactly how, contact your local VFW post. They may have a number of tips and suggestions on ways for you to contribute.