Veterans Day always offers the opportunity to reflect on the sacrifices made by those who have served in the military. But how do we appreciate our veterans? Is it enough to say “thank you for your service”? Or do we feel like that’s nice, but a little hollow? In this post, we’re considering how we can better appreciate those like Esther’s Gianni, who have served their country.
Most Americans say they appreciate our veterans by thanking them for their service. However, here’s an interesting statistic. A 2021 survey revealed that almost 60% of veterans and serving members are uncomfortable with this. But how else can we show how much we value them? How do we go beyond a simple “thank you”?
Veterans Wanna Tell Their Stories
Instead of an awkward “thank you”, veterans generally appreciate a real conversation where they can reveal more about their experiences and convey what their life in the military was like. After all, each person is an individual, and each individual’s experience of the military is unique.
So, next time you’re thinking about thanking a veteran for their service, consider engaging them in conversation by being interested in their experiences, listening actively, and asking thoughtful questions. They’re more likely to appreciate someone who genuinely wants to hear their story.
How Do I Start Chatting With A Veteran?
Well, how do you get talking with anyone? You ask questions, right? But what about when you don’t know anything about the military and don’t want to sound lame? Well, luckily for you, we have some helpful tips to get you started. Coming next are some classics that always go down well.
1. “Which branch were you in?”
No matter what branch a veteran served in, they will take pride in its unique culture and rich traditions. Asking whether they served with the Navy, Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard shows you’re interested in their specific branch, and that interest will go a long way to building a connection.
2. “What did you do?”
No matter the branch, many positions are available during a person’s military career. It’s not all about combat! Actually, there are 512 unique positions in the military, and each requires different skills. A veteran would love to tell you about the different jobs they had!
Asking what they did in the military shows you appreciate what they have done and are interested in their experiences. They’ll want to tell you what they did in the military. They’ll also want to talk about the people with whom they served, and the close friendships and bonds they created with others in their branch.
3. “Where did you serve?”
Some serve all over the world while others perform their duties in their home country. But no matter where they served, all veterans have colorful stories and memories they would like to share about their time in the military. Whether they served at home or abroad, they have lots of insights to impart.
Hm… I wanna honor veterans, but I’m not keen on chatting
Okay, while conversation is a great way to show a veteran some appreciation, some of us are less comfortable with chit-chat than others. A super-easy way to show how much you value our veterans is with a good old flag. Most veterans love to see Old Glory blowing in the breeze, so it’s no surprise that flying a flag is one of the most common ways people show their appreciation. It’s a big and visible gesture that shows how much you value the service of our veterans.
A veteran will value an appreciative citizen paying for their meal or buying them a gift card for a meal. It’s a low-key way to show how much you appreciate them. If you don’t know where to connect with veterans, there are many veterans events throughout the year in different communities around the country. So why not go to one and show how much the service of our veterans means to you? Likewise, attending a veteran memorial is another way to remember veterans who are no longer with us.
The Takeaway
Veterans Day can bring up a multitude of different feelings, for us and for veterans, each of whom has a unique story and experiences. A survey has shown that they may find being told “thank you for your service” a little uncomfortable. Generally, they want to share their stories and tell us their experiences. So, why not spend a little time with them and gain valuable insight from seeing someone else’s perspective?
Of course, this doesn’t just apply to veterans. No matter where we are in life, we can learn a lot just by talking and sharing experiences, thoughts, and feelings. So maybe the takeaway of this blog post is: it’s rewarding to be more open, share our experiences, and learn about each other’s perspectives. But especially those of veterans. Because… y’know, Veterans Day!
EJAI Loves Homecare is waiting to tell you more
Seize the day and contact EJAI Loves Homecare today to see how they can help you and your loved ones