Activities to Honor Vets
In times of peace and in times of war, veterans deserve the honor and praise of the people they serve. Citizens at every level of society and in all walks of life can remember those who serve and who have served in the past in the armed forces. Honor veterans with activities to move the spirit and to educate the mind. Remember those who fight and serve for freedom in your town, your home, your work and your schools. Send messages of respect on days reserved for such remembrance and on all the other days of the year.
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Community
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Veterans need to know that communities around the country appreciate their service and their sacrifice. Organize a neighborhood or town activity for citizens to express gratitude to those who serve the country. The Veterans History Project lists community activities to honor veterans. Plan a concert at your town hall with a USO theme. Ask local musicians to perform. Invite veterans and their families to the concert.
Home
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Families are on the front lines of veterans' lives. You may have a veteran in your immediate or extended family. Arrange a Veteran's Day or Memorial Day dinner devoted to that person and his family. Let the person know you want to interview him and his family about his military service. Gather the family around the table for a respectful discussion about the veteran's experiences and feelings. Ask him and his family to bring photos and medals, if they are comfortable doing so, to share with the family.
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School
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Students learn about the US Constitution and the country's founding documents beginning in elementary school. Initiate a school-wide campaign to send letters to active duty troops and to veterans not deployed expressing gratitude for the service they provided. Ask each teacher to set aside a pre-determined class time for students to write letters. Include a lesson covering the different branches of the military and the many ways a soldier can serve her country. The Operation Gratitude website provides addresses and guidelines for effective letters to deployed service members and to veterans of previous conflicts.
Work
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Coworkers may want to show veterans respect. Take a colleague who is a veteran to lunch or schedule a brown bag gathering marking a veteran's day of remembrance. Hold an informal toast to your coworker with each person making a short statement of gratitude for the veteran's bravery and pleasure to know her. Present the guest of honor with a commemorative coffee mug or plaque.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit veteran image by araraadt from Fotolia.com
