Looking for ways to have your family celebrate Veterans Day Nov. 11?
Veterans Day is a federal holiday meant to honor America's military veterans. The date is significant because the Armistice with Germany went into effect in 1918 on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11 month, for all practical purposes putting an end to World War I. The day was known as Armistice Day until 1954 when U.S. veteran organizations successfully lobbied to have it changed to Veterans Day.
We have four ideas on how your family can honor veterans for Veterans Day, whether you have veterans in your family, or simply want to thank those in your community who have served.
And if you are a veteran?
THANK YOU for your service.
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1. Attend a Veterans Day parade
Many communities have a Veterans Day parade or other events to honor their veterans. Take your family! Your support, simply by your presence, means a lot.
The Manassas Parade takes place on November 2nd this year. See details here.
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2. Fly a flag
Put your American flag out on Veterans Day and fly it for all to see. This is a day of celebration, not mourning, so your flag should not be flown at half mast. To get your youngest ones involved, decorate for the day by putting small flags into the ground and line your sidewalk.
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3. Visit a VA Hospital or Veterans Home
Nearby Maryland has a few Department of Veterans Affairs Hospitals to visit. Call ahead to see if visitors are allowed so you can stop by and say thank you in person in a safe way. If visitors are not permitted, ask how else you can share your thanks this year. What is a simple thank you to you, can mean the world to someone else. Check locations here.
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4. Write a thank you note
Sit down with your child to make a card or write a letter for a veteran you know. Getting a card in the mail brightens everyone's day. Don't know a veteran? Drop cards off at your local VA Hospital or veterans home if allowed, or team up with Operation Gratitude to write letters to those serving. Once registered, they will email you a letter-writing guide, printable coloring sheets for children, and instructions for shipping the letters to them for distribution.
5. Welcome Veterans Arriving on Honor Flights
We are very fortunate to live so close to our nation's capital, where Honor Flights bring Vietnam, Korean, and WWII veterans on special flights to visit war memorials. Sign up to be one of the many people who greet and thank the wonderful veterans arriving at Dulles Airport. Be sure to dress as patriotically as possible and bring a flag! Some groups welcome veterans with patriotic songs. These vets are oftentimes moved to tears when they see that their sacrifice has not been forgotten. Sign up to welcome our nation's heroes here.
Mary Monahan is the publisher of Macaroni KID Lincoln, Neb.
