Honor Veterans in Your Family

This Veterans’ Day, take a moment to remember military veterans in your family.

As I reflect this year on what Veterans’ Day (Nov 11) means to me, the timing of this celebration seems apropros. Yes, I know the reason November 11 was chosen: that date was made special by the end of fighting in World War I on the 11th day of the 11th month.

But you know what else? Veterans’ Day comes right on the heels of Election Day (Nov 8).

Who do I have to thank for the privilege of casting my vote each year? God and Suffragists and – Veterans!

Who do I have to thank that I live in a country wherein I, a woman of no particular rank or distinction, can not only vote but can participate fully in the political process and could even run for the highest offices?

Who do I have to thank for my religious freedom? For the opportunities for myself and my children to seek education and make what we will of our lives? For our general safety day in and day out? And a myriad of other blessings of citizenship in the United States of America?

Of course there are many who play a part in making all of this possible.

But today, I acknowledge a large portion of the credit is due to those who have served in the US military.

Thank you, Veterans!

What are you going to do to honor the veterans around you? How about the veterans in your family or in your family’s history?

Here are some ideas to prime the pump:

• If you know a living veteran or current servicemember, give them a call! Send them a text! Say THANK YOU!
• If you pray, remember those serving our country in your prayers today.
• Take a minute at family dinner time just to say aloud the names of those you know who have served. It’s a small thing, but these are the kind of tiny sparks that can ignite a fire of interest in your children – perhaps now, perhaps down the road when they walk their own memory lanes.
• Post a thank you to an ancestral veteran on your social media feeds!
• Take advantage of the four days of free access to Ancestry’s premiere site for military records, Fold3! Yes, that’s right! Access to Fold3 is going to be FREE from 10-13 Nov, 2022! _{*Word of advice: If the option exists to download any of the record images you find that relate to your veteran(s), do so! Then you will have a copy on your computer after the free access expires.}

Veterans’ Day is a superb opportunity to connect the dots between past and present. So don’t let this one slip by you! Do something to honor a veteran today!