#USA

Like most patriotic holidays, Veterans Day is quickly become another excuse to skip work, get drunk, and eat meat seared over a grill.

Don’t get me wrong, that sounds like a fun day. But it isn’t what Veterans Day should become.

Over 20 million people in the USA are veterans which means just about everyone knows at least one veteran personally.

When writing this article, I wanted to see what others were saying about how to truly honor veterans on Veterans Day.

It quickly became apparent that most lists I found were full of ways to appear like you were honoring them without really doing anything.

One such entry was this:

Take a quiet moment and imagine hearing ‘Taps’ played in your head. Think about what it means.

If this is the best we can do for our veterans we should all be ashamed. These are people that we throw into the most dangerous fights in history, to defend our principals, and when they get home all we do for them is think about them once a year?

But we can all do better and it starts now. Let’s take a look at 5 REAL ways you can honor veterans on Veterans Day.

Attend an Event

In many cities, there will be numerous Veterans Day events before or on Veterans Day. Now, not all of these events are equal.

Some events are merely disguised as a patriotic event while simply being a money making scheme by local businesses and event planners.

Do a little bit of research and make sure that at least some of the proceeds go to a veterans organization you respect or veterans themselves.

BONUS

If you cannot find an event in your town or all of the events don’t give a portion of their proceeds, it’s time to make your own. Don’t get me wrong, this is not easy. But if you speak to your local politicians, they’ll be on your side. Veterans are a topic that politicians cannot ignore.

Help Fight PTSD

PTSD, or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, ravages our veteran population. Giving time, money, or spreading awareness of PTSD will inherently help veterans.

The numbers of Veterans suffering from PTSD are as follows:

31% of Vietnam veterans
20% of Iraq veterans
11% of Afghanistan veterans
10% of Desert Storm veterans

In total 7.7 million people in the USA suffer from PTSD and the numbers grow as we become more aware of the disorder.

Seek Out Homeless Vets

There are about 20 million vets in America and over 50,000 of them are homeless. This number should strike a chord with you.

50,000 people that have served in our armed forces are simply without a place to live.

Luckily, you can easily donate to them. Here are just a few organizations you can give to.

NCHV – National Coalition of Homeless Veterans
http://nchv.org/index.php/getinvolved/getinvolved/donate/

HUD-VASH – the department of Housing and Urban Development has created the VASH program.
https://www.hudexchange.info/programs/hud-vash/hud-vash-eligibility-requirements/

SSFV – Supportive Services for Family Veterans
https://www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf/

The list goes on and on. You can donate directly to the cause you like the most.

Spread Awareness

So far the things I’ve mentioned takes a lot of time and money to do. And you won’t always be able to give that much, which is fair.

But one thing you can always give is information. The numbers we’ve already discussed are staggeringly upsetting. But not everyone is aware of them. This is why spreading awareness is crucial.

If you do donate, even just a few bucks, create a post on your social media accounts and ask for others to follow. Explain that a few don’t need to give a lot if a lot of people can just give a few bucks.

Also contact your company. Sometimes they will have the ability to match certain donations and that’s a great way to double the reach of any donations you do end up making.

Just Make One Day Better

You’ve seen the numbers. There are too many veterans in America that need help. And maybe that number is so large that you feel powerless in the fight. And that’s reasonable. It is an absurdly big uphill battle.

All you need to do to make a difference is find a Veteran and make their day a little bit better. Take them out for a meal. Get them a coffee. Spend the day with them. Buy them some clothes. Have them over for dinner.

Just take the action to make one veteran’s day a little bit better and the difference you made will be enough. It will matter.

This Veterans Day, make a real difference. While others are getting drunk at BBQs or pretending they’re making a difference by thinking of niceties (I still can’t get over that), you can make a real difference with action.

It may not a lot. But it can be enough.

There are a lot of discussions about what qualities makes a person patriotic or not. There’s an unseen line, sometimes, that can blur depending on your own experiences and on which side of the line you personally resign.

But there are several qualities everyone can agree upon. The qualities that reflect the best of this country and show what it truly means to be an American.

1. Civil Service –

A true patriot believes in a civil service, that is actions that make their town, state, or country better. This can be anything from running for office to helping someone cross the street during busy times. No matter how small or big the deed might be, the idea is the same: improve the lives of those around you.

2. Respect –

I think it’s safe to say that most people understand respect wrong. There are two forms of respect. Basic human respect. And respect for someone that has achieved something great. And here is where people get it confused. Most people tend to think that if someone does not respect them as if they have achieved something great, they are then allowed to not respect the other person as a basic human. This, once written clearly, is obviously wrong. A true patriot respects everyone wholly. They respect life, even if it’s a life they wouldn’t live. They respect achievement, even if they don’t have an interest in it. They simply respect.

3. Diversity –

Where others may see some, if not all, aspect of diversity as a negative; a true patriot believes diversity is a blessing. People of different races, genders, beliefs, creeds, and opinions make life special, make the world incredible. A patriot believes the differences in people makes them great; not the similarities. This is, afterall, the melting pot of the world. Diversity is the heart of America.

4. Checks and Balances –

As a concept, Checks and Balances are in place to ensure no one person or group has too much power. Sadly though, anytime a person has been in power they’ve tried to remove some of the strength of checks and balances only to wish it was restored once they lose that power. A true patriot understands that checks and balances is the only way to real liberty, real democracy. This starts and ends with the understanding that just because an individual truly things something is right, it doesn’t mean that everyone else must think so, too.

5. The Declaration of Independence –

The great playbook of our country is, no matter what, the heart and soul of a patriot. The concept that every living person is of equal value, should have equal rights, and have the ability and right to pursue a life of happiness and fulfillment is undeniably beautiful. A true patriot will always respect that, even if their own agenda or beliefs must be put aside.

6. Religion –

A patriot believes that religion is a personal pursuit. While they might be pious in every regard, they do not believe that their religion should be expressed, pushed, or used by the state. To blend the two, church and state, defeats many of the other qualities of a patriot.

7. Honesty –

To tell the truth is such a simple idea but such a difficult task. Many are quick to lie when they risk ruin; whether it be professional, wealth, respect, or reputation. But a true patriot believes that honesty is everything. If they face a consequence for being honest, they will meet it head on. And expect others to follow in this way.

8. Conviction –

The drive to do what’s right is everything. If someone has the belief to make the world better but does not have the drive, then nothing gets done. A true patriot has the conviction to do the right thing, even in the face of danger. They know that their actions define them and they will act with the conviction needed to make a difference.

9. Time –

A patriot understands the nature of time. Our time is fleeting. The laws, rules, and actions we take impact more than just those of us alive today. A true patriot will take an action with the understanding that those that come after us will inherit what we do; and that our goal should be to give them the best world, the best life, the best framework to continue improving.

10. Charity –

The act of giving, whether it be time, money, or effort, Charity is the heart of a patriot. Most people reach a station in life that is basically given to them. When those that are privileged to have more than others, to have an easier time climbing and living, they reach out with what they’ve gained to give back to those in need. Some of the best patriots throughout history are those altruistic souls that give without thought, give without reward, give without end.

Patriots come in all kinds of different shapes, sizes, and credence. Adults to children, liberals to conservatives, leaders to followers. Any person that reflects the backbone of this great nation is, without a doubt, a true patriot.