First established in 1919 to honor World War I veterans, Armistice Day evolved to what we now know as Veterans Day, a tribute honoring all men and women who have served in the Armed Forces. With almost 3 million active duty and reservists, this year’s celebration, occurring on 11-11-11, has special significance.
Historically a time for community parades and solemn remembrances, here are 11 ways to honor those who are serving and have served in the Armed Forces.
Send a thank you. The nonprofit, A Million Thanks, makes it easy for individuals and groups to send cards and letters. “It is our goal to see that our military – active, reserve and veterans – receive these messages, whether they are serving at home, abroad or are injured in hospitals,” posts A Million Thanks. They encourage writers to be creative, kids to draw pictures and most importantly, be positive in the message you send to our troops and veterans. Visit www.millionthanks.org for more information.
Donate your old cell phone. It’s amazing what $21 and two enterprising kids can do. Founded in 2004 by teens Robbie and Brittany Bergquist, Cell Phones for Soldiers collects almost 50,000 cell phones a month. The phones are sold to a recycler with proceeds used to pay for pre-paid calling cards for soldiers stationed overseas. The nonprofit is shifting its focus from pre-paid cards towards video phones with pre-paid service to better help service members stay in touch with their families. To print a postage paid mailing label to donate your cell phone, visit www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com .
Donate your frequent flyer miles. Hero Miles has supplied over 24,000 airline tickets to military men and women, and their families. The program provides complimentary round-trip airfare so that families can be at the bedside of service members injured in overseas conflicts like Iraq and Afghanistan. Airlines participating in the air mile donation program include AirTran Airways, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Midwest Airlines, United Airlines and U.S. Airways.
Share a book. United Through Reading helps military men and women stay connected to their children while they are deployed overseas. A DVD is made of the military parent reading aloud a children’s book. The book and DVD is then mailed back home to their child. For ways to contribute to United Through Reading visit their website at www.unitedthroughreading.org
Fly the American Flag. One of the easiest ways to show support toward men and women in uniform is to fly the American flag on Veterans Day. Visit www.usflag.org for flag flying etiquette.
Learn about American Prisoners of War (POW) and Missing in Action (MIA). Did you know there are over 83,000 missing or unaccounted for service members from World War II to the present with over 73,000 personnel from World War II alone still unaccounted for. The Defense Prisoner of War and Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) continues its mission to recover and identify missing service personnel. To learn more about our MIAs visit the DPMO website at www.dtic.mil/dpmo.
Take a Vet to School Day. Invite a veteran to tell his or her story at your school. Schools can locate speakers through their local American Legion, military base, or from the families of their students. Teachers can get a how to guide by visiting www.history.com/take-a-veteran-to-school.
Enjoy a free meal at Applebee’s (if you are a vet). Active Duty military and veterans can dine for free at Applebee’s restaurants on Veterans Day. To locate an Applebee’s near you go to www.applebees.com
Attend the Veterans Day National Ceremony. If you live near or are visiting Washington D.C., consider attending the National Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington Cemetery in Arlington, Va. The observance begins appropriately at 11 a.m., on November 11, with a wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknowns. Ceremonies are scheduled in other locations, too. Go to the Veterans Administration website at www.va.gov to find a Veteran’s Day observance in your area.
Send a care package. Give2TheTroops is a nonprofit organization begun in 2002 by a Marine Corps spouse whose husband deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Give2TheTroops sends care packages to service members. From the Give2TheTroops Facebook page: “We need decorations, cookies, snacks, toiletries, hand warmers, CDs, DVDs (those holiday ones are fantastic), hot chocolate, cards with messages from home, and financial contributions for postage.” Visit Give2TheTroops website at www.give2thetroops.org to learn how you can help.
Make a phone call. Whether a grandparent, parent, aunt, uncle, friend or neighbor, all of us know a veteran. Give that person a call and thank them for their service.
Happy Veterans Day!