It’s Veteran’s Day – How Can You Thank A Vet?

It’s Veteran’s Day, so what does that mean?  Free meals at certain establishments?  A discount for goods at local stores?  Jump on to Facebook and thank all the Veterans that you know, for their service?

I as a veteran have been thanked many many times.  I’ve been greeted with handshakes, hugs, and I’ve even had my meal paid for when I was in uniform dining with my family.  It’s always appreciated, that gesture of thanks.  But apparently not all vets feel the same way.  According to a recent news story, Iraq war veteran Alex Horton believes that the nation has done a disservice to veterans by constantly putting us on a pedestal.  Have we reached a point to where people feel obligated  to say thank you?  Does it make people feel more patriotic when they thank a vet?

I read this article the other day that mentions that veterans ought to be thanked, but not for their service.  Why?  Well, because what we did in the military was never about us.  Most of today’s force volunteered to serve and that’s really what this country now relies on…men and women to step up and volunteer.  Without the volunteers, this country would be in a world of hurt, am I right?

When choosing to volunteer, service members do much more than march off to war to be a hero.  They give up their personal choice of where to live. They sacrifice holidays, birthdays, family milestones for the greater good.  They postpone educational pursuits and professional careers.  They strain relationships, push loved ones to the breaking point, and leave memories behind every few years as their lives are upheaved and moved again.  Did I mention that military couples see the highest divorce rate in the world?  The world, not just this country.

Often times they put personal hobbies and likes aside in order to fulfill the long hours that are necessary to ensure we remain the most powerful fighting force on this planet.  Think about this…Less than 1% of the U.S. population serves in the military?  What does that mean?  For every one person that serves, 100 people don’t have to.

If you are thinking of going out on Veteran’s Day and thanking a few vets, why not try to make it personal?

Instead of saying “Thank you for your service”, try thanking a vet that you were able to be present for the birth of your children.

Try thanking a vet that you have been able to pursue your educational goals.

Thank a vet that you can go out and shop on black Friday

Thank a vet that you can sit at home and have family movie night with your kids.

Thank a vet that you are able to camp in the Adirondacks and take the kids to Water safari every summer.

Thank a vet that you were able to meet the love of your life, get married, settle down and have children.

Thank a veteran that you have the security to be a stay at home parent.

Thank a veteran that you can practically live anywhere in the country you choose.

Thank a veteran that you were able to attend every one of your child’s sporting events, music recitals, spelling bees and parent-teacher conferences.

Thank a veteran that you have your weekends free.

Thank a veteran that you were able to pursue your passion in life, be it an athlete, actor, accountant, radio broadcaster, etc.

Thank a veteran that you don’t have to be one.

Think about this today, Veteran’s Day, which we chose to serve and realize that with our service, you can do many things most of us take for granted.