Veterans deserve love; give a hug
Many of us have experienced it: The uneasy feeling that we somehow don’t do enough to express our appreciation to veterans of military service.
Yes, our nation observed Veterans Day on Wednesday this week. Schools closed and many banks too, along with other offices. Those gestures, while important, end up on the impersonal side of things.
As far as the school closings go, wouldn’t students be better served by going to school on Veterans Day and learning about service to the nation by our military forces? Inviting veterans into the schools to spend time with students would offer students a more personal view of the experiences leading these members of our community to become veterans.
Many parents, especially since they constantly struggle with daycare issues, would probably agree that having their children in school and learning about veterans would be much better than having their children out of school for a random day doing who-knows-what.
Most of us have family members, friends or neighbors who have served in the armed forces. They offer an opportunity for those of us who are not in their ranks to show sincere personal appreciation.
There was a time when those who enlisted in the military were said to have joined the service, and it’s important to remember that their participation is service. They prepare physically and mentally to help protect our nation’s security and maintain a stable society. They are also prepared to lay down their lives for us - and many have done so in defense of our nation.
On the national level, let’s remind ourselves that, on any given night, according to government statistics, nearly 50,000 veterans are homeless. In fact, veterans are more likely to experience homelessness than non-veterans. Let’s help whenever we can.
On the personal level, we can take the reminder from Veterans Day celebrations that our friends, family and neighbors who have served deserve our respect, love and hugs so they know they are appreciated.
