How to Thank a Veteran for Their Service

Veterans Day has been set aside to honor all veterans who served and are in service to our country.

Veterans Day differs from Memorial Day, and here’s the difference. Memorial Day is a day to remember those who lost their lives during their military service, and Veterans Day honors all veterans, past, and present.

No matter how you feel about war, our veterans deserve recognition and honor for their service. These men and women choose to protect the United States of America with great sacrifice to themselves, their families and their loved ones.

Service Defined

Service is defined as “contribution to the welfare of others.” It’s easy to see how our military men and women contribute to the welfare of others. And Blue Frost Heating & Cooling challenges each of you to thank them for this in one or more of the following ways.

Ways You Can Properly Thank a Veteran for Their Service

As business owners, we could hire them for their unique skill sets. Many veterans are technicians with discipline, attitude and soft skills. Veterans are people who:

• Like being part of a team
• Enjoy working with their hands
• Are disciplined
• Like to be outdoors
• Want to be part of something bigger than themselves
• Are highly motivated
• Interact well with others
• Have good communication skills
• Are very trainable
• Present themselves in a professional manner

The President of Mr. Rooter, Mary Kennedy Thompson, a former Marine Corps captain and director of veterans affairs for The Dwyer Group, Mr. Rooter’s parent company, says: “Our servicemen and women have gone without many things while risking their lives serving their country. They’ve done the hard stuff, and when they come back, they’re trying to figure out what to do with their lives. They’ve got all this leadership training, and they understand discipline and systems.”

8 Ways You Can Properly Thank a Veteran for Their Service When You’re Not a Business Owner

But not all of us are business owners. So, aside from hiring a veteran, what are the seven other ways we can show appreciation?

1. Attend a Veterans Day event in your area

2. Donate. Check out this page for a few ideas.

3. Fly Old Glory correctly. If you’re wondering how to fly our flag correctly, see Military.com’s guide to the flag.

4. Ask a veteran about their service and genuinely listen to their story. Don’t be intrusive. Here are some questions you might ask:

• What did you do in the military?
• How long did you serve?
• What was your favorite moment in all your time in the service?
• Did anyone else in your family serve?
• Why did you choose to go into the service branch you did?

5. Recognize a veteran with a postcard or a card.

6. Don’t confuse Veterans Day with Memorial Day. Confusing the two or combining the two diminishes the importance of both.

7. Spend the day with a veteran. Visit a VA hospital or some other VA facility near you.

8. Explore a national park with a veteran. Admission is free for all visitors on Veterans Day!