Honoring U.S. Military Personnel on Veterans Day

For those who live in America, the patriotic season begins in late May with Memorial Day and stretches out until November, when we honor those who served in U.S. wars on Veterans Day. There are also other patriotic holidays during that period, including Flag Day, the 4th of July and Labor Day. Those are the major patriotic holidays but there are also some that are lesser-known. The first, Armed Forces Day, actually falls before Memorial Day. Then in September we have Patriot Day and Citizenship Day, followed by United Nations Day right before Halloween in October.

Many people in the U.S. take the major patriotic holidays seriously, as well as some of the minor ones. This is probably partially due to the fact that so many people have war veterans in their immediate families, or at least have some relationship to people who have served in the U.S. armed forces. For these people, there’s a very personal connection to these holidays. That’s why there’s a growing tradition of using Veterans Day vintage postcards or veteran clipart to send greetings to veterans for Veterans Day. The simple act of sending a card can mean the world to someone who may feel his or her contribution has been forgotten.

This especially applies to soldiers returning from Iraq. They have seen and experienced things few have and deserved to be thanked for doing that on our behalf. After all, Veterans Day isn’t a popular, joyful celebration like the Fourth of July, so it would be easy for veterans to think we don’t care. Chances are, no one ran around waving the American flag when they returned. And people don’t usually throw parties for Veterans Day either. That may be because some people are uncomfortable with even thinking about war.

It would probably be better to just thank a veteran every time we meet one. That way they’ll know they’re appreciated on more than just one day a year. Just that small act can make a big difference to someone who feels forgotten.