How Do You Thank a Veteran?
How do you thank a veteran? I get asked this question a lot. For me, if I see someone who is obviously military, either current or retired, I'll just strike up a conversation. I know when we're in the clinic here on post, the retirees often like to chat and play with my 3 year old son while we wait for prescriptions at the pharmacy. I thank them immensely for helping me keep him entertained. Many of the women will relate stories of what their lives were like as young military wives with small children and how my son brings back those memories. The men will reminisce about how crazy their wives were during those early days of marriage and small kids. It's funny to hear both sides.
For one veteran in particular, I do his laundry, clean his house, cook most meals, help raise his children, and generally make sure he's happy and well taken care of. That veteran is my husband. I said to a friend this morning, in my usual sarcastic manner, "People have asked me how I thank a veteran. I gave one children. What more do they want me to do?"
There are many companies who also show their appreciation on Veteran's Day. Applebee's is offering Veteran's a free meal today. Bob Evans restaurants is offering 20% off.
There are companies who offer their appreciation every day. These are the companies I go to first when I need to shop. Lowe's (if they still do it, I haven't been in awhile) offers a 10% discount if you ask the cashier about it and show your military ID. The Jockey and Under Armour outlet stores also offer 10% off purchases with ID. Because we live near an Army post, I've found several local businesses that offer discounts as well.
There are also companies that just show their support, and sometimes that's enough. Turkey Hill here in PA collected items to send to our deployed PA Ntl Guard soldiers during their Operation Hometown Hello. They delivered over 5,000 pounds of items when it was all said and done. Overstock.com is another that I've seen supporting our military. When they followed me on Twitter, whomever is in charge of their social media, sent me a direct message saying hello and asked about my soldier. Overstock is also running a Wounded Warrior Project. This project give 83 cents of every dollar to help wounded warriors and their families. Visit the web page linked above to find out more.
Have you thanked a veteran lately?
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8 comments:
(hopping over from adventures i.p.)
LOL - i gave him children - too funny! Where in PA are you from?? I'm originally from Reading/ Lancaster area!
You know - before I gave up my social security number and moved to Fort lost in the woods! :)
thank you to your entire family. Without you and people like you, I'd be living in Canada
Extend my thanks to him as well. The line about giving him children cracked me up. :) No doubt "words of thanks" aren't enough but hopefully the acknowledgment that they're inadequate helps demonstrate the sincerity.
Nice post, thank you for sharing! And yes, I've thanked a veteran today. Mine! ;) Happy Veteran's Day.
I have!
Thank YOU!
Beautifully said! Thanks to your hubby and to all our servicemen and servicewomen who put themselves in harm's way for all the rest of us.
My dad and uncles fought in WWII, my brother was in the Reserves during Viet Nam. I'm grateful to all of them.
And by the way, I'm grateful to the wives (like YOU) and husbands who enable them to do their jobs-- you are the unsung heroes!
I tip my hat to you and all the others like you!
I try to thank all service men and women and veterans anytime I see them, not just on Veterans Day. It doesn't take more than a few seconds to say "Thank you for your service" when you see a member of the military, and I know it means a good deal to to them.
That's one of the things I miss most about living on base and going to the MTF. Seeing and meeting the retirees.
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