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.
What can you do to have your family celebrate Veterans Day on November 11th?
We have four ideas on how your family can honor veterans for Veterans Day. Whether you have veterans in your family, or simply want to thank those in your community who have served, participation is sure to make you feel proud to be an American.
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1. Attend a Veterans Day parade, ceremony, or benefit.
Check out our event calendar for events to attend on November 11th. Your support by simply being present, means a lot to the veterans being honored at these events.
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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 a couple small flags along your sidewalk, creating a flag drawing to hang in your window, and eating a meal of red white and blue themed dishes.
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3. Visit a VA Hospital or Veterans Home
If you have a Department of Veterans Affairs Hospital or veterans home near you, 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. What is a simple "thank you" to you, can mean the world to someone else.
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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. Getting a card in the mail brightens everyone's day. Don't know a veteran? Drop cards off at your local VA Hospital or veterans 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.
Mary Monahan is the publisher of Macaroni KID Lincoln, Neb.
