The history of Veterans Day and how to celebrate with kids during the pandemic
Celebrating holidays as the pandemic persists has necessitated some ingenuity, and Veterans Day is no exception.
Veterans Day is a chance for military families to express gratitude to the ones they care about the most.
How will parents assist their children in supporting our veterans while preserving social distance? To begin, teach them about the history of Veterans Day and why we celebrate it, then engage them in some simple (and safe!) activities.
Remember why we celebrate Veterans Day
Veterans Day is celebrated every year on November 11th, regardless of the day of the week. Why November 11th? It's the day that commemorates the end of World War I at 11 a.m. on the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918.
The holiday was first celebrated on Nov. 11, 1919, the first anniversary of the end of World War I. It was initially known as Armistice Day. President Dwight D. Eisenhower formally changed the holiday's name from Armistice Day to Veterans Day in 1954, recognizing American veterans of all wars for their loyalty and ability to serve and sacrifice.
Thank a veteran together
“Creating a card, text, or poster for our veterans is a wonderful way for parents and kids to say thank you,” says the author "Kitty Harris, a mother and Navy veteran from San Diego, California, agrees. "While social distancing, art is a fun way for children to express themselves and display their respect for our veteran communities.”
There is another great way to show your love and gratitude to the veterans is to wear a meaningful outfit like Skull The VA Giving Veterans A Second Chance To Die Shirt.
Make a call or plan a virtual celebration
Calling a veteran and having a meaningful discussion about their contribution to our country can be an easy way to celebrate the day. If you don't have a veteran in your family, ask your friends and others in your network if they know someone who is.
With the popularity of virtual meetings these days, host a Zoom call to remember family members who have served in the military. Everyone on the call might dress in military tees or the colors of their favorite branch of the military, and share service photos and stories from the veterans in their lives.
Decorate your house and yard
Will you want to hold the holidays at home? Parents may have their children paint red, white, and blue rocks with gratitude messages to put in a garden or make handmade posters to hang in the windows or on the front door. Harris recommends that children use colorful chalk to create a custom "Thank You" for veterans on the sidewalk. From handmade handprint American flags and patriotic windsocks to wreaths and fans, Pinterest is brimming with design ideas.
Watch veterans share their oral histories
The Oral History Project at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York City gathers first-hand accounts from those who worked on board the Intrepid, the submarine Growler, and other vessels.
The museum's president, Susan Marenoff-Zausner, says that watching the stories is a perfect way for families to get a real sense of what military life is like. "Seeing these interviews, which vividly portray triumphs and even lighthearted moments from times of service," Marenoff-Zausner said, "will inspire productive discussions and a deeper understanding of why it's so important to remember our brave service men and women."
Take a virtual tour of war memorials
The World War II Memorial, the Korean War Veterans Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the Vietnam Women's Memorial, and the United States Marine Corps War Memorial are among the war memorials included on this virtual tour.
Watch a wreath-laying ceremony
Wreath laying ceremonies are held at memorials around the country, including Arlington National Cemetery, on Veterans Day. Check the websites of your local memorials and Arlington National Cemetery for updates on potential Veterans Day 2020 virtual commemorations.
Veterans Day is one of the popular holidays but do you know these interesting facts about Veterans Day?
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