Veterans Day is a time in which we honor the courage and strength of our 19.3 million veterans and their families. However, one day isn’t enough to honor their sacrifices. With Mindful tips, we can celebrate and honor our veterans and women today and every day.
The history of Veterans Day began on November 11, 1918, when fighting ceased due to the armistice between the Allied nations and Germany during World War I. Although the Treaty of Versailles was not signed until June 28, 1919, it was the ceasefire on November 11th that would hold great significance for the military and the country. President Wilson proclaimed the first “Armistice Day” celebration on November 11, 1919, which included parades and public gatherings.
Armistice Day was changed to Veterans Day after World War II and today, the holiday honors all veterans. The majority of the living veterans that we honor today include Vietnam War veterans (7.0 million) and Gulf War veterans (5.5 million). Schools, local communities, and veteran organizations will host ceremonies to honor all of these heroes. And businesses have pledged their services to veterans as well.
Tips for Honoring Veterans
So, what can you do to thank the men and women who have served our country? Listed below are just three Mindful suggestions to honor our veterans.
Host a Celebration
Millions of us work with veterans every day, but how many of us have thanked them for their service. Today, have a celebration for the honoree in the break room with coffee and donuts or plan a nice lunch. Send a thank you card around for employees to sign and make sure the company president sends a word of thanks as well. For more ideas, try these suggestions.
Be a Donator and Advocate
There are 3.8 million veterans who are disabled due to their time in service. And as of last year, 573,000 veterans were unemployed and 49,933 were homeless. Become an advocate for our veterans by donating your time and funds to veteran charities and organizations.
Offer Your Service to Veterans
Volunteer in local veteran nursing homes and hospitals. You can visit veterans, sponsor activities for them with a large group of friends, or simply listen to their stories.
Bonus: Send your thanks to active-duty military members. As of today, there are over 1.3 million active-duty military members. Let’s thank them for their continued service by writing thank you notes or creating care packages for them.