14 Ways to Honor Veterans Day with Your Family

 

Veterans Day, held every November 11, is a federal holiday that celebrates the service of all U.S. military veterans. Help your family remember the meaning behind Veterans Day: to honor veterans for their patriotism and willingness to serve our country. Here are 14 ways to celebrate veterans on this holiday.

 

1. Attend events. Attend a Veterans’ Day parade or service in your area. Cleveland is hosting a Veterans Day ceremony at City Hall followed by a parade downtown. A reception will take place at 10 a.m. at Cleveland City Hall followed by a ceremony inside City Hall. At 12:30 p.m., a parade will kick off, starting on Lakeside Avenue East. Be sure to attend an event in your area.
2. Donate. There are many ways to give back to our nation’s heroes. Consider donating to Disabled American Veterans, the Wounded Warrior Project, Homes for Our Troops, or other organizations.
3. Fly the flag. Honor those who have served our country. Be sure to follow the U.S. Flag Code to properly display the flag.
4. Thank a veteran. Tell a veteran you know: “Thank you for your service.” Have your kids ask them questions about being in the military.
5. Have your kids write a letter. Write a letter to a veteran you know or send a letter to your nearest military installation.
6. Visit a museum. Many museums discuss the history of wars and the impact of veterans. The Cuyahoga County Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument in Cleveland is dedicated to those from Cuyahoga County who defended the Union during the Civil War and is a great way to honor the holiday.
7. Veterans Day coloring pages for kids. Crayola has free coloring pages to print! Visit here 
8. Wear a red poppy. The American Legion Auxiliary distributes red paper poppies on Veterans Day nationwide, and are all handmade by veterans. Donations received for the poppies directly assist disabled and hospitalized veterans.
9. Have your family participate in the “National Two Minutes of Silence”. The Veterans Day Moment of Silence Act became federal law in 2016. On November 11, participate in the two-minute moment of silence at 2:11 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.
10. Visit a veterans memorial or cemetery in your area. Take a few moments to pay your respects. Also, most cities have flag displays of local veterans. Drive around town, point them out to your kids, and talk about why it’s important to honor veterans.
11. Wear red, white and blue. Show respect and gratitude to veterans by having your family wear an American flag pin or America’s colors. Add this: You can find bold and meaningful apparel in the RiserUnited collection, perfect for honoring our heroes while wearing your pride.
12. Read a book about veterans with your kids, such as “The Poppy Lady,” by Barbara Walsh, illustrated by Layne Johnson, and “Veterans: Heroes in Our Neighborhood,” by Valerie Pfundstein.
13. Invite a veteran or active member of the military to a meal. Many restaurants offer free or discounted meals to veterans, such as Applebee’s, Bibibop, Bob Evans, Buffalo Wild Wings, Burntwood Tavern and others. Share a meal with a veteran you know. Also, if you are looking for something quick,  Sheetz is offering a free meal and a car wash (only at locations that have a car wash available).
14. Send care packages. Have your kids create care packages for veterans or those currently serving in the military. Items such as socks, soap, toothpaste, toothbrush and deodorant, but also sending puzzles, board games or other fun activities is a great idea, too.