Sunday, May 24, 2009

How to Thank a Veteran

For Memorial Day, I thought I'd continue our "how to" theme and share ideas for thanking our servicemen and women. After all, we owe them a debt we can never repay.

1. Write to them. Send an email to a serviceperson. Go to http://www.anysoldier.com/WhereToSend/

2. Get involved and send a serviceperson a care package. Go to http://www.soldiersangels.org/ For a list of organizations with projects to support servicemen and servicewomen and their families.

3. Fly the flag on Memorial Day. You never know when a veteran will pass by and notice!

4. Say a prayer on Memorial Day. Remember the fallen, pray for those who serve and for their families. Pray for our leaders that they make good decisions.

5. Scrapbook a page honoring a serviceperson. Journal about how proud you are. Here's a terrific free journaling box http://freescrapbookingsupplies.blogspot.com/

6. Contact your local USO. I'm wondering if they'd like some of the books I'm weeding out from my bookshelves? I'll find out! http://uso.org/contacttheuso/

7. Wear an American flag on your clothing. It's a small way to say, "I am proud of my country."

8. Vote. Don't let them sacrifice for naught. Be a good citizen and do your part to protect the freedoms our servicepeople have fought and died for.

9. Visit a veteran's grave. Even if you simply stand there for a moment of quiet reflection, you're honoring their service--and you're rededicating yourself to the freedoms we enjoy as a citizen of this country.

3 comments:

Terri Thayer said...

Quilters are sewing for Quilts of Valor. The mission of the QOV Foundation is to cover ALL war wounded and injured servicemembers and veterans from the War on Terror whether physical or psychological wounds with Wartime quilts called Quilts of Valor (QOVS). Or as a six year old put it, "When the 'sholders' are 'warring' and they come home and are hurt, the quilt makes them feel all comfy." This foundation is not about politics. It's about people. (www.qovf.org).

Camille Minichino said...

Very nice thoughts from you Joanna, and Terri.
My meager effort has been to collect and send toiletries and books. Today I'm going to add to that list.

Terri's absolutely right, it's not about politics, but about people serving us in a way that I personally would never be able to do.

Carla said...

Thanks so much for linking to my journaling box and for your kind words about it!