When was the last time someone told you they’d die for you? Before you start thinking back to some star-crossed ex-boyfriend or girlfriend, think broader. (Hint: It’s Veterans Day.) People may argue about the pros and cons of this or that war but I hope that on this day everyone will at least be in agreement on one thing: our veterans have all served under the premise that if necessary, they’d die protecting us, without expecting us to do the same in return. Pretty humbling, I think, and it makes me get teary-eyed when I wave at veterans in parades or read about the suffering they go through, even when their duty is finished. I don’t think my kids quite “get” it, but there are a lot of things available to them lately that might help.
My younger daughter’s Girl Scout troop is socializing with veterans at a local retirement center later today; our elementary school PTA invited veterans to eat lunch with the children and also planned a care package party after school, so that the kids can make care packages and cards for veterans living in a state veterans home. My drill team daughter marched in a neighborhood Veterans Day parade yesterday, and this weekend, she and her friends in National Charity League will be out at the airport, cheering returning soldiers and shaking their hands (DFW airport is often the first place of entry for service men and women upon returning home from Iraq or Afghanistan, and citizen volunteers, as well as some very dedicated veterans, have been greeting them every weekend for several years.)
Another way to mark the day is to gather clothing and household items for Paralyzed Veterans of America and set them outside—here in the Dallas area, PVA has regular pickups throughout the year and it’s a great way for kids to clean out their rooms and help veterans at the same time. PVA has a great website (http://www.mission-able.com) where you can help your child send an e-card to a veteran or active service member and can also make a monetary donation (especially good if your city does not have PVA pick-ups!).
And of course, there are movies for teachable moments. (I wish our family also had time today for a movie, but that will have to wait.) I found http://www.parentpreviews.com/the-big-picture/post/war-heroes for ideas on G, PG and PG-13 movies which teach about WW I and conflicts thereafter (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is one and Dear John is another.)
I hope everyone will find a way to honor veterans today, even if it’s just to call up a veteran friend or relative and say the words “thank you”. To all the veterans out there, Happy Veterans Day– and THANK YOU!!