Black Hawk Down, Pearl Harbor, American Sniper – all these movies have one thing in common – the story of war, pain, and freedom, where the soldiers were heroes of that story. War movies are deemed a classic and who doesn’t love them? People cried when Ben Affleck had to say goodbye to the love of his life. Others felt like they understood exactly what Bradley Cooper was going through. Movies about soldiers and the war they had to brave never fail to touch our hearts.
But more than celebrating these movies, we actually have the chance to honor the real heroes that inspired these great films: veterans. The Veterans’ Day commemorates the sacrifices of every veteran that fought and died for the county. This holiday isn’t just about BBQ and partying for Americans. It’s the time to reflect and show gratitude for the bravery and the sacrifices these veterans did for freedom.
Most of us have our great grandfathers, fathers or uncles that went to war. And it’s a tradition to celebrate and honor them on this special day. But if you’re on a tight budget, no need to stress on how you can make this day a good one for them.
Here are ways you can honor veterans without having to break the bank:
Say Thank You
“Thank you” might be simple to say but it brings smiles to veterans. Through this simple act, you can show how grateful you are of their service to the country. You can also choose to spend time with them, listening to their stories of war, and how that shaped them as a person. You are sure to learn something valuable that you can apply in your own life. Taking the time to thank or spend time with them will honor the sacrifices they made which allowed you to experience and embrace freedom.
Do Charity Work
Find some charities that help veterans. Donations are greatly appreciated by these organizations such as the American Red Cross. Make sure the charity you are helping is legit and they use the money for a good cause. You can also sign up as a volunteer and help these organizations reach out to veterans that need help. You don’t have to spend money; your effort is just as valuable.
Lend a Hand
If a member of your family is a veteran or you know someone personally who needs some assistance, don’t think twice about lending a hand. Helping them with simple tasks such as going to the grocery store, cleaning the house or running some errands would definitely make their day. It might be a small thing for you but that would be something they will be grateful for. They gave us freedom, lending a helping hand would be a small token of appreciation for that honor and privilege.
Put Your Gratitude into Words
Writing letters is rare occurrence these days, given how modern and tech-savvy everything is. Social media (instead of talking or writing) has become the main way to connect and communicate with each other. Sending letters to veterans would tell them how much you appreciate the things they have done for the country and how important their service is for their fellow countrymen. After all, most veterans probably don’t know how to text, but can surely read a letter. You can even turn it into a beautiful family affair. You can let your kids join in, and I’m sure they’ll have fun (and they probably need time away from their gadgets and gizmos anyways).
Treat a Veteran to a Special Dinner
If you have veteran family members, friends or even neighbors, invite them over for a delicious hand-cooked dinner. You don’t have to take them to a fancy restaurant; you can surely cook a scrumptious meal in your own kitchen. Wear that imaginary chef’s hat, look through family heirloom recipes, and prepare a delectable treat for your honorary guest. Stories of war, family and love, would be best shared over a good meal. Your guest will surely love it, and who can pass on a meal with a loved one anyway?
These are just a few ways you can celebrate this Veteran’s Day. However, you wish to celebrate, keep in mind that gratitude for these heroes shouldn’t only be observed on this holiday, but all throughout the year. For their sacrifices are the reason behind our smile and freedom today.