Looking for ways to have your family celebrate Veterans Day on Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021?
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.
Here are four ways to 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 the Veterans Day Program
Elbert County Comprehensive High School will hold a Veterans Day Program at ECCHS Gym on Thursday, Nov 11th from 8:30am-9:30am. All veterans, families and friends are invited to join the event which includes guest speaker Brigadier General John Gentry.
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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 Nursing Home
If you know of a local veteran who is in assisted living, 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. A thank you card, handwritten note, or drawing from a child can help lift spirits and show appreciation.
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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 the VA Hospital or nursing 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.
Amy PerezVelasco is the co-author of this article for Macaroni KID Elberton, GA & Mary Monahan is the publisher of Macaroni KID Lincoln, NE
