How to Celebrate Veterans Day

Veterans Day, which commemorates the signing of the armistice following World War I, is observed on November 11 each year. The day offers parents and teachers a good opportunity to educate children about America's history and the sacrifices of others made for them. Teaching children the significance of the holiday helps them learn to appreciate those servicemen and women who work to preserve liberty for all.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Attend a Veterans Day program in your community that offers tribute to those who serve on land, sea and air. Veterans and the public alike are invited to attend ceremonies with special guest speakers.

2. Take part in a flag-raising ceremony. Stand and join in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag and the singing of the National Anthem. Local veterans organizations such as the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars often participate with military banners and American flags.

3. Go to a band or choral concert featuring patriotic music. Many of these musical salutes to veterans are open free to the public.

4. Participate in a moment of silence in remembrance of those who gave their lives for their country. The moment usually begins at 11 a.m. and continues for 2 minutes in honor of deceased veterans.

5. Attend a Veterans Day parade in your area. Veterans, military and National Guard units, and sometimes civic organizations, march or ride in parades celebrating the significance of this day. Frequently, fife and drum corps march in parades supporting our nation's veterans.

6. Take your children to visit a veterans hospital, or encourage them to send a letter of thanks to a veteran. For those veterans who do not get visitors often, talking with your children for just a few minutes is truly appreciated. Your children will be able to show their appreciation as well.

Tips & Warnings

• Local veterans or historical societies often plan programs scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. in honor of those who now serve or have served our nation. The significance of the time is when World War I (otherwise known as the War to End All Wars) came to an end.

Resources

• Reconnect America
• Veterans of Foreign Wars
• United States Department of Veterans Affairs

[franchesca]

on 11/13/2009 Great tips on how to celebrate this important holiday!

[jenng]

on 11/11/2009 great article on How to Celebrate Veterans Day 5*

[suziecat7]

on 11/11/2009 First of all, thank you to all who have served our country. Nice article - it is so important to honor our veterans.

[Fike]

on 11/11/2009 I did some of this. Its importance is hard to fathom in the day-in, day-out hustle-and-bustle of life. We wouldn't be who we are without our troops. (And I'm an Obamaphile.) 5*

[vikki9]

on 11/11/2009 Let's bring our troops home.