Did you know that 6.86% of the estimated 250 million people in the US are veterans? This is according to the American Community Survey conducted in 2019.
Veterans Day is a day set aside every year to honor military men and women who have served in the US armed forces. It happens on November 11th, which is also Remembrance Day and Armistice Day in other countries.
These are holidays that mark the end of World War I. On Veterans Day, the community appreciates and acknowledges the service and sacrifices made by these military veterans.
It’s also a perfect time to educate civilians on the significance of veterans and what they do for their country. There are several ways to go about a Veterans Day celebration.
Whether you are celebrating it at home, at school, or as a community, it’s essential to honor the hard work of these men and women.
If you are wondering how to celebrate this day, read on for five meaningful Veterans Day celebration ideas.
1. Recognize Them
If your workplace employs military veterans or has them as consumers, you might want to give them some recognition on this day. Highlight their experiences in your company’s communication channels.
Whether in a work magazine, brochure, or any other publication, write about their experiences and sacrifices. This action will educate your employees and allow them to appreciate veterans even more.
It will also motivate the servicemen and give them the recognition they deserve. Through recognition, you also demonstrate the exemplary skills veterans acquire in the military and how useful they are in the civilian world.
Veterans are typically very humble, and simple things such as thanking them will make them feel appreciated.
Doing so shows you are aware of their sacrifice and brevity towards safeguarding the community you are in.
2. Shop from a Veteran-Owned Business
There are several veteran-owned businesses in every community. Find one and patronize their business as a Veterans Day celebration.
You don’t have to do this alone but can also make it a community project. You can mobilize people in your community personally or through social media. Together, plan a shopping spree at a veteran-owned business.
If it’s a restaurant, you can also decide to hold an event and buy all foodstuff from the veteran. This is an appreciative gesture and a way for the veterans to support their families and themselves.
In case you are unfamiliar with any veteran-owned business, you may ask around or Google spots near you.
Serving in the military is a way for veterans to give back to the community. You, patronizing their business, in turn, returns the good deed.
3. Volunteer or Make a Donation
One thing you can do for a Veterans Day celebration is donate to a non-profit organization involved with military veterans. These are charities that help out veterans who are in need as well as their families.
They may have been wounded or become disabled during their time in service and require financial aid. Donating individually is a great idea, but you can also decide to involve some friends and family.
Further, you can organize a fundraiser where all proceeds will go to a selected organization to celebrate Veterans Day. This money allows the veterans to support their families and seek medical assistance easily.
You can also offer to help around the organization with activities such as cleaning and spending time with some of the veterans. This gesture shows you love and appreciate them.
4. Get Them a Gift
There are many Veterans Day celebration ideas to pick from, and what better one than getting them a gift. Veterans Day is a holiday just like any other, and gifts are vital.
Shopping for veterans may seem difficult since you may not be very sure about what they like. However, any gift is a good gesture of love and support for them. It also shows you appreciate what they do for your country.
Veterans Day gifts include coffee, whiskey, a cigar, military challenge coins, or even a treat at an eatery. Gifts are a token of appreciation; nothing shows appreciation more than a well-thought-of gift.
You can also decide to take them out for lunch or dinner and also invite other people from the community. This action will give them a platform to talk about their experiences and educate people about what happens in the military.
Whether a casual or official event, it shows respect and gives veterans some recognition.
5. Observe a Moment of Silence
The most common way of celebrating Veterans Day is observing a moment of silence. Most American households observe two minutes of silence at 11:11 am on every Veterans Day.
They use this moment to pay their respects to all veterans. It’s a moment to reflect on all the sacrifices and contributions of veterans to the country.
It also gives you time to reflect on all who have fallen while serving in the military. Although it’s considered a more private celebration, it shows you acknowledge veterans and all they do.
The two minutes is also a time that all civilians and veterans share as a celebration.
Meaningful Veterans Day Celebration Ideas
Working in the army requires a lot of sacrifices and hard work. Recognizing the contributions and efforts of veterans will help you understand their role.
Many people opt to have a Veterans Day celebration to commemorate this day. You may decide to spend it with veterans themselves, with your students in school, as a community, or at home with your family.
Either way, showing respect to these service men and giving them their well-deserved recognition is essential. Find ways to educate more people on their role in society since this will help them appreciate veterans.
Acknowledging and supporting veterans also motivates them and assures them their efforts were not in vain.
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