A Veterans Day Guest Post

I normally don't post on Sundays, but today is special. Today is Veterans Day and I have a special guest to share with you some great facts, tips, and fun activities that you can use to celebrate this date (and honor our veterans!)

Please give a warm welcome to Courtney from www.militaryvaloan.com: 
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What is Veterans Day?

Veterans Day comes around every year on November 11^th. It’s a time for remembrance, gratitude, and honor. But just how did it come about? It dates back nearly 100 years to when President Wilson declared November 11, 1919 as Armistice Day. A year earlier on that date, the United States signed a peace armistice with Germany, marking the end of World War I.  The armistice went into effect at eleven o’clock on the eleventh day of the eleventh month of 1918, and The United States Congress made it an official holiday in 1938, though many states had already declared it a holiday.  In 1954, Congress changed the name of the holiday from Armistice to Veterans Day, and set it apart as a day to celebrate all American veterans who had served in all wars.  Today, we celebrate a long line of rich history and countless brave men and women who have served throughout the past century to protect the freedom that makes our country unique.

Ideas on How to Celebrate

Make the day more meaningful than just another day off of work. These are some ideas to help the real meaning shine through.

1.       Do some Veterans Day crafts. Help your kids understand what the day is about by spending some quality time together making cute crafts that have Veterans Day tie ins. Think patriotic pinwheels, wreaths, popsicle stick flags, or a string of paper stars to decorate the house. If you’re feeling especially adventurous, try your hand at baking some yummy red white and blue treats! Rice Krispy treats work well, as do cupcakes.

2.       Go to a flag raising ceremony. These events can include reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and singing the National Anthem. It’s a great and easy way to get out of the house and into the spirit of patriotism.

3.       Write a thank you note to a veteran or service member from you and your family. It’s a meaningful way to show gratitude to those who have defended our country’s freedoms and liberties. It may be to your husband or wife, son or daughter, to a friend or to a stranger. A little note goes a long way.

4.       Find a way to be a good friend or neighbor to those who are family members of a deployed military member. This obviously is something to do every day, not exclusively on Veterans Day, but it is a good time to reevaluate what can be done to help these families out. Offer to listen, to babysit if appropriate, to help out with yard care, just get out there and serve.

5.       Have a moment of silence at 11:00am. Remember those who have fought for our country and for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice of giving up their very lives in our behalf. 

This year, November 11^th falls on a Sunday, so Monday November 12^th will be a holiday.

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Courtney writes about VA news for MilitaryVALoan.com, a VA home loan refinance site that helps veterans and their families save money on their VA mortgages. 

Thank you, Courtney, for stopping by! I hope y'all take a moment this Veterans Day to do one of the above things and honor the veterans in your area. Oh, and check out the restaurants in your area. Many of them give free entrees, dessert, or at least a discount to those with active military ID's.