“When our perils are past, shall our gratitude sleep?
~George Canning
Last year when I first sat down to write about Veterans Day, I started wondering what the true meaning of a veteran is. After asking friends, I realized I’m not the only one asking this question. Is a veteran someone who once served in our armed forces? Is a veteran someone who is currently serving? Is a veteran someone who served our country in both times of war and times of peace?
I also wondered what exactly Veterans Day means. Of course this day holds a special place in the hearts of military families. But what does it mean to the general public other than a day off from work?
In my quest to find the answers, I stumbled upon quote after quote about Veterans Day. But I wanted to share one in particular that seemed to sum it all up:
“A Veteran is someone, who at one point in their life, wrote a blank check payable to the United States of America for an amount up to, and including, their life. That is beyond honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer remember that fact.”
So what is a veteran? What does Veterans Day mean? A veteran is any man or woman who has worn a uniform, past or present, in times of war or peace. These are the people we are honoring on Veterans Day, the people we need to thank for their service to our country. Veterans Day means so much more than simply a day off from work and sales at the mall.
As we celebrate this Veterans Day, I hope you take a minute to thank a service member. Whether that person is your grandfather, your husband, your neighbor, or someone you see in uniform at the mall while you’re shopping those sales, they deserve our thanks and appreciation for the sacrifices they have made and continue to make for our country. They are true heroes.
“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.”
~John Fitzgerald Kennedy
What does Veterans Day mean to you? Who are you going to thank today?
I thanked my husband this morning & am about to call my dad, uncle & cousin! My husband & I always carry thank you cards from Dear American Hero to pass out whenever we see a hero.
A BIG thank you to your husband for serving our country & protecting our freedom!!!
Veterans Day is very important to me. My husband served, as did my father and grandfather. The military has such a special place in my heart and I try to stop and say thank you to anyone I see in uniform throughout the year. Sometimes that is all they need to get through a rough day. š
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