Veterans Day circles around every November 11th. This year, take the opportunity to refresh your memory on why we celebrate it! It’s much more than just another day off work. It’s a reflection of those that make the ultimate sacrifice to keep us and our communities safe day after day. This is not to be confused with Memorial Day, which honors those who died.
Veterans Day recognizes the men and women who serve or have served in the United States military. As American Indian and Alaska Natives serve at five times the national average, there’s a good chance that you or someone you know knows a member in the Armed Forces.
So – you may wonder – how do I properly acknowledge the holiday or thank those military members?
A few ideas include:
- Making homemade gifts: The gifts that are made with love and thoughtfulness are great tokens of appreciation. Consider drawing, painting or even making a flag out of beadwork!
- Baking sweet treats: Whether chocolate chip cookies or red, white and blue themed fruit cake, there’s no better way of saying thanks than through someone’s stomach! Just be sure that your favorite vet doesn’t have any peanut allergies, if you choose to make something with this added ingredient. We want to thank them — not give them an allergic reaction.
- Building a care package: If you know someone overseas, or would like to donate your time in gathering supplies for one of the many veterans organizations nationwide, consider building a package! Typical items include nonperishable food items, a handwritten letter or even socks.
In fact, any of the above can be donated to a member of the armed services stationed elsewhere. Review this list of organizations that send donated goodies to those away from home.
Whether doing any listed here, or thinking up ideas on your own, let’s all do our part this Veterans Day. Let’s all celebrate and honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of the land and willingness to sacrifice by serving.
Also take note of the dedication ceremony and veterans procession happening at the National Native American Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. — the most recent addition to the National Museum of the American Indian
