Veterans Day, celebrated on November 11th, is dedicated to honoring those who have served and continue to serve our nation. It is an opportunity for civilians to acknowledge and demonstrate gratitude for the sacrifices service members and their families make daily. Wondering how to celebrate this year? Inspired by Paula Pedene’s article “11 Ways to Celebrate Veterans Day: Honor Those Who Served” and Nancy Polette’s book, N Is for Never Forget: POW-MIA A to Z, below are 11 ways we as a campus community can honor our Veterans this Veterans Day:
- Say ‘Thank You’: If you see a military member in uniform, or a veteran you know a simple “Thank you for your service” can mean a lot. This small gesture often makes a big impact. On that note, a BIG thank you to our career peer, Melissa Snyder, a veteran in the Career and Co-op Center!
- Write to a Service Member Far from Home: A heartfelt warm and thoughtful letter can lift the spirits of those deployed. Sharing your gratitude for their service or some news from home will be well received.
- Send A Care Package. Consider starting small by organizing a care-package packing party with friends or student groups. Or, you can visit a veterans’ hospital and make a difference closer to home.
- Attend a Veterans Day Event/Parade: Parades and events provide a public space to honor veterans. Attend with family or friends and make it a tradition. Save the date to attend our Veterans Day Flag Ceremony on November 14, 11 am at University Crossing
- Make A Commitment to Volunteer. Work together with family or friends to support events and organizations that help, for instance wounded warriors. Your time and effort go a long way in showing appreciation.
- Talk to a Veteran or Service Member: Reach out to a veteran in your family or community and invite them to share their story. Listening is a heartfelt way to show appreciation and learning from their lived experiences can be a meaningful way to honor their service.
- Place Flags or Wreaths on Graves: Organizations like Wreaths Across America coordinate efforts to honor veterans by placing flags and wreaths on their graves. Join or donate to make an impact.
- Support Veteran-Owned Businesses. It is not always easy to identify which businesses are founded or operated by veterans. Check out your local chamber of commerce to see if they have any businesses you can patronize, which is a practical way to say thank you.
- Celebrate With Acts of Service. Show service members your gratitude throughout the year with a home-cooked meal, thank you note or day of volunteering. These acts of kindness can extend beyond November 11.
- Make A Pledge to Remember Their Legacy. Simple gestures such as flying an American flag in front of your home, wearing a red poppy or having a moment of silence and reflection are suggested ways to honor veterans.
- Learn about Veteran Resources on Campus. Our Office of Military and Veteran Services provides support to help our student veterans from application all the way through graduation. Learning about these resources and sharing with veterans in our community is a way to honor veterans year-round.
This Veterans Day let us show our appreciation for veterans and their families in ways that truly honor their service. Anything you can do to pay your respect is a meaningful way to observe Veterans Day.
