Veterans Day is observed annually on November 11 to honor all who have served in the armed forces, particularly during wartime. Most of these men and women are ordinary people who do not expect to achieve fame or reap huge rewards from military service. Their motives are simple – love of country, a sense of duty, and a willingness to serve our nation in times of crisis.
In the words of Frederic Remington, “Soldiers, like other men, found more hard work than glory in their calling.” Over the years, military personnel deployed around the globe have had to endure many hardships. Nevertheless, wherever and whenever our soldiers, sailors, marines, and airmen are called to duty, they do not hesitate to go.
George Orwell once stated, “People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.” Freedom is never free. It depends on the vigilance of those brave patriots who have been safeguarding our liberties ever since the American Revolution, in both peacetime and wartime.
Patriotic Pins
It’s a tradition to honor brave soldiers with medals, pins, and ribbons. You can make some colorful pins for awarding to cherished veterans in appreciation for their sacrifices, dedication, and service. Make one for yourself, too, and wear it on your shirt for Veterans Day. You will need: large safety pins, colored beads (red, white, blue), thin yellow ribbon, white glue, waxed paper, scissors. Directions: Thread a pattern of red, white, and blue colored beads onto the pin side of a large safety pin. Glue the beads onto the pin. Let them dry on waxed paper. Tie a little yellow ribbon onto the other arm of each pin, so that when you are wearing it the beads are on top and the ribbon hangs down. The yellow ribbon is a remembrance for prisoners of war, soldiers missing in action, and all military men and women who are far away from home.
Veterans Day Activities
Attend a Veterans Day ceremony or other presentation. Many veterans are able to relate personal stories of what defending liberty really means. This is an opportunity for children to experience living history. Make cards, cookies, etc. to give to the veterans. Shake their hand and say “Thank you for keeping our country and our family safe.”
Display some old fashioned patriotism and fly the American flag with gratitude and pride. Wear red, white, and blue. Sing patriotic songs. Visit the National Memorial Cemetery, a veteran’s memorial, or attend a Veterans Day parade.
Do some research to find out about your relatives and ancestors who served in the armed forces. Read a wartime historical novel or a history book about war. Watch a movie such as “Gettysburg” or “Gods and Generals.”
Send notes or cards to hospitalized veterans or those living in veteran homes. Make cards, placemats, bookmarks, or other appropriate gifts for distribution at a veteran’s hospital. Donate to veterans organizations such as the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Disabled American Veterans.
Support our troops. Families, groups, and individuals can do their part by participating in a patriotic service project to show soldiers how much we appreciate them. You can send a letter, e-mail, care package, or Christmas card to a soldier overseas. Many military units are living in primitive conditions in Iraq and your gift may be all they receive this Christmas. The following websites offer specific ways in which you can help:
www.americasupportsyou.mil/americasupportsyou/help.html
www.packagesfromhome.org
www.operationmilitarypride.org/packages.html
www.adoptaplatoon.org
www.soldiersangels.com
www.amillionthanks.org
www.usocares.org
www.presidentialprayerteam.org/troopsadopt.php
www.networkforgood.org/topics/international/iraq/troops.aspx
Additional Resources
www.loc.gov/vets (The Veterans History Project from the Library of Congress relies on volunteers to collect and preserve first-hand accounts of 20th-century wars and current conflicts.)
www.legion.org (The American Legion provides information on veterans issues, Veterans Day e-cards, sample speeches, flag FAQ's, and more.)
www.va.gov/vetsday/index.cfm (Veteran's Day history, customs, observances, symbols, patriotic fact sheets, links, teacher's guide, school resources, a play, and a kid's page from the Department of Veteran's Affairs.)
http://www1.va.gov/opa/feature/celebrate/index.asp (Celebrating America's Freedoms: 14 essays about the country's most familiar symbols, customs, and observances.) | 
