November 11th is Veterans Day. According to the U.S. Census, the United States has 21.9 million veterans. We are home to 9 million veterans who are 65 or older.

It is an honor at Ecumen to provide housing and services for many who have served our country and to be a workplace for many veterans. We thank them for their service and sacrifices in protecting the freedoms we enjoy today.

How can we as Americans honor our veterans on Veterans Day and every day?

We’ve turned to State Chaplain, Minnesota National Guard John Morris, and father of Ecumen colleague Amy Williams, to provide his insights on that very question.  We invite you to add to this list.   If you have ideas you’d like to share in honoring America’s veterans, please provide them in the comments section.

Honoring America’s Veterans

The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month presents us with an opportunity to pause, reflect and give thanks for the men and women who have worn our nation’s uniform in the defense of our freedom. The following are several ideas on how you can make this day meaningful:

1. Pause and give thanks to God for the freedom and liberty you enjoy. While doing this, ask a blessing on the men and women who are serving us in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait and many other places around our globe.
2. Fly your flag.
3. Visit your local nursing home and ask to visit with a veteran. Spend 10 minutes listening to their story. Give the veteran a big hug and simply say ‘thank you.’
4. Visit your local American Legion or VFW and leave a Hallmark card for a lonely veteran. They’ll be sure he/she will get your goodwill card.
5. Attend a local Veterans Day observance. (The newspaper and media websites list services. All the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affair website lists observances as well.)
6. Consider making a donation to the USO on behalf of veterans.
7. Volunteer to help at the Armed Forces Center at the Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport and help welcome military personnel as they pass through the airport.
8. Finally, simply say "Thank you for your service" when you meet a veteran.

A veteran IS a unique individual. At some point in their life, they offered their service to the nation. When they did they literally ‘put their life on the line.’ That merits the appreciation of our nation, which is why we have ‘Veterans Day.’