Veterans Day honors those
who have served our country in both war and peace in one of the branches of the
military, reserves, or National Guard. There are more than 30 million living U.S.
Veterans today. Because of their commitment and sacrifice for our country, we
enjoy the freedom that many throughout the world envy. So how can we show
gratitude and appreciation not only on Veterans Day but each day as we benefit
from the hard-fought freedom? Think about ways to
honor them, invest in them,
and
experience and share in their
commitment. What could honor them
mean?
Merriam Webster
defines honor as “to regard or treat with admiration and respect.” When you
pass a person in the military, do you thank them for their service and
contribution and its impact on our country? Once while I was in an airport,
another traveler complained that she didn’t feel that those in the military should
get to board earlier than others. My response was, “Would you make the same
commitment they do so that we can live free?” As she thought about it, she told
me, “You’re right. Thanks for helping me see it differently.” These small
courtesies take moments of our time, but I’m sure they make a difference for
those who serve or have served. Many places sponsor letter-writing campaigns
around Veterans Day to support our soldiers. Research says you will feel better
when you extend gratitude and honor to another person.
What could invest in
them mean?
Investing in people
means learning their stories, understanding their perspectives, and discovering
what is important to them. An investment in others is creating a human
connection, person to person. We live such busy lives, and it can be hard to
slow down enough to hold the “backyard” conversations of days past. In addition
to thanking veterans for their service, can you extend the conversation and
learn more about what they do and how they do it? I was awestruck once while
seated next to a retired fighter pilot who described the speed of the planes
and how quickly he flew from Alaska to the Middle East. I couldn’t wrap my head
around it. He talked about the challenges, especially for his family, who
weren’t always sure where he was. Think about how much we rely on instant messaging or calls to stay connected each day with our family. We can’t forget the military
families as part of the veterans story; they also give so much as a family.
What could experience
and share in their commitment mean?
To me, an experience
is something that includes the act of doing something. The experience economy,
a term first used in 1998 by B. Joseph Pines and James Gilmore, is an experience
or event that is memorable or one that produces feelings. You walk away from
the experience feeling differently than when you started. There are many
military museums, memorials, and activities that offer immersive experiences in
military history. Have you toured one recently?
One of my favorite experiences
is sharing an honor flight boarding or landing with other travelers at airports
across the country. The Honor Flight Network’s mission is to transport
America’s veterans to Washington DC to visit those memorials dedicated to honoring
those that have served and sacrificed for our country. Honor Flight is a
national network of independent hubs that coordinate and offer an all-expense-paid
trip for military veterans from World War 2 through Vietnam. Many people are
moved to tears when they watch these ceremonies as veterans move through the
airport terminals. I have experienced several Honor Flight ceremonies and
encourage others to find a local hub and participate in one. I guarantee you
will feel differently after the experience. The Honor Flight Network resumed
operations in August of 2021; to learn more or donate to Honor Flight, click
on the link provided.
Honor Flight Network
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