How to Pay Respect to our Country’s Veterans this Veterans Day
Veterans Day is almost here, and it’s very important to remember and respect our country’s veterans during this holiday. This holiday is observed annually on November 11th and honors military veterans of the United States Armed Forces.
Veterans Day’s origin dates back to World War I’s end. World War I officially ended with the Treaty of Versailles, signed on June 28, 1919. However, the fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice was enacted between the Allied nations and Germany on November 11, 1918. This day is considered to be the end of “the war to end all wars.”
According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Day is “a celebration to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.”
Veterans Day is a day to honor the service members in your life, whether they are living or have passed and is meant to be a celebration of their sacrifice.
If you are looking for ways to celebrate service members, here are four:
1. Flying the American flag
Fly the American flag on your front porch or in your yard this Veterans Day. Flags can be purchased at your local convenience store and easily reused for Memorial Day, Veterans Day and the Fourth of July. Flying a flag shows that veterans are in your heart and will remind others driving by to pay respect to them as well.
Over the past several years, Stuhr Funeral Home has invited local fifth graders from James B. Edwards Elementary School to visit the Mt. Pleasant Memorial Gardens cemetery to place flags on veterans’ graves on Veterans Day, as many discovered that they have former service members in their families and want to celebrate their lives.
2. Write a letter to a veteran
Writing a letter to a veteran in your life is a great way to show gratitude and appreciation for their sacrifice and fight. Whether it be your uncle, grandfather, close friend or someone you have encountered a few times, this will make their day. Include how you are appreciative of their bravery and how much their sacrifice means to not only you but to our country. Personalize the letter for the veteran in your life.
3. Donate to a local organization
Donate to a nonprofit that benefits veterans if you’re looking for ways to help this Veterans Day. This is a great way to show appreciation and honor fallen veterans while helping those in need. While there are many wonderful national organizations to donate to, check out local organizations that support the veterans in your area.
Stuhr Funeral Home is a proud partner and supporter of The Fisher House Charleston, a local organization for the families of veterans receiving care at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Health Care System.
The Fisher House offers these families a comfortable and safe home close to their beloved veteran while they are getting care at the VA. Located only a few blocks from the medical facility, veterans and their loved ones don’t have to worry about a commute, temporary housing expenses, or being separated for extended periods while undergoing treatment. You can donate at fisherhouse.org.
4. Visit the cemetery
If you’ve lost a loved one who was a veteran, perhaps this is a day that you can visit their grave at the cemetery to pay your respects. Bring flowers and spend some time remembering and celebrating their lives. You can also bring other loved ones who share your grief and appreciation for your veteran.
Stuhr Funeral Home has a local cemetery, Mount Pleasant Memorial Gardens, you can visit when honoring a veteran.
5. Attend a local event
Many cities host Veterans Day celebrations to honor local veterans in unique and special ways. If you are local to Charleston and looking for ways to celebrate the veterans in your life, there are multiple events in the area that pay tribute to our country’s service members.
A few of these events include the Veterans Day Parade in Downtown Charleston on November 5th and the North Charleston 21st Annual Tribute to Honor Veterans on November 10th.
Stuhr Funeral Home extends a sincere thank you to American veterans for their patriotism, love of country and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good. They are proud to assist families of veterans and retirees with requesting funeral honors and with obtaining many benefits, when eligible, which are provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Charles P. “Chuck” Blankin, who joined the Stuhr Funeral Home family in 2008, is a Vietnam veteran and certified veteran services officer. As a Veterans Advocate Chuck assists veterans and their families with Veteran’s Administration benefits and Honors. He can be reached at chuck.blankin@jhenrystuhr.com.
Stuhr Funeral Home, a trusted name in funeral service for more than 150 years, cares for families of those whose lives have ended. Stuhr Funeral Home is committed to providing quality arrangements to honor loved ones and family traditions.
