Thanksgiving Gratefulness: Wishing our military community a happy and healthy holiday

November is a month in which we give many thanks. The upcoming Thanksgiving holiday will be spent, by many, with family and friends expressing gratitude for each other, freedom, vaccines, chocolate...the list is endless. Some of us will take turns around the dinner table acknowledging the higher powers, people and things for which we are most grateful. Others will honor our prosperity on tiny paper turkeys left for guests to read and enjoy. Still more will turkey trot, parade watch or serve meals at a local soup kitchen.

As unique as our thanksgiving traditions are, so should be the way in which we recognize Veterans on their special day earlier in the month. Sure, “thank you for your service” is better than no acknowledgement at all, but we can, and should, do better. How many Veterans have sacrificed holidays at home with their families? The answer is easy, all of them.

So what can you do to thank a veteran this month (or any other month)? Try one of the following or post your own idea in the comments:

Carry cards - Business cards are a dime a dozen (or at Vistaprint, about $2 a dozen). Consider writing a brief message of gratitude that can be printed on a business card to hand out to Veterans you meet. Your personalized words on a small keepsake a Veteran can carry in his or her wallet will go much further in making that person feel truly appreciated.
Know what you want to say - Just as personal is preparing your spoken benediction ahead of time. Instead of “thank you for your service,” tell the vet what you are most thankful for that would not be possible without his or her sacrifices. Give veterans a concrete example of how their service directly impacted your life.
“It’s on me” - If you come across a veteran while you are out and about, treat them to a coffee, snack, lunch, groceries...whatever is around. Unlikely to come across a veteran (at least knowingly) in your day-to-day life? Donate to a veterans service organization (full listing of VSO’s here: https://www.va.gov/vso/VSO-Directory.pdf ) or offer your expertise as a volunteer at a VSO in your local area.
You’re hired! - Learn more about hiring veterans at your organization (and post positions on RallyPoint). Frequent veteran-owned businesses: https://rly.pt/3laFvRz . Shop at veteran-owned retailers: https://rly.pt/3l8TWpl or hire veteran service professionals: https://rly.pt/3DNIjeN

As you carve the turkey and pour gravy on your mashed potatoes, talk with your friends and family about how they can thank a veteran. Perhaps you can all name veterans you are thankful for as part of your thanksgiving tradition. Recognition is the truest form of gratitude. Please share your ideas for expressing indebtedness in the comments below.