Canada has the long-honored tradition of acknowledging the brave souls who have devoted their lives to protect our great commonwealth. Every November 11, Canadians take a moment of silence to honour and remember the more than 2 million who have served and continue to serve in times of conflict, war, and peace. Celebrate those who have served and honor those who have fallen this Remembrance Day by embracing gratitude via active participation.
Personalization Shows Appreciation
The most rewarding feeling in the world is giving a gift that is perfect for the recipient. Personalized gifts always convey more emotion and show just how much you care, especially when it comes to Remembrance Day.
Gifts of monetary value are great, but gifts from the heart are even better. Pay respect in the spirit of Remembrance Day by showing your appreciation with a letter writing campaign to those still serving. You can even take it one step further and make greeting cards to send to veterans. This can be a wonderful way to get your kids involved and open the dialogue about how important Remembrance Day is.
For that friend or family member who served their nation and loves to barbecue, a personalized gift like a grill cover emblazoned with a military logo, mantra, or both can honor their service in a special way. It also lights the lamp of getting them something practical that they’ll see every day.
Be Vocal on Social
Social media is like a microphone. It amplifies the impact your voice has, increasing your ability to share beliefs and causes you care about with your followers. It also allows you to speak towards your favorite charities and foundations. With online resources like gofundme and other donation platforms, your social network can donate directly through the site. Instead of a generic “Happy Remembrance Day” post, now you can encourage donations to a charitable cause.
Volunteer Your Service
We all know the saying “actions speak louder than words,” and this certainly rings true on Remembrance Day. It’s important to be grateful for the service others pay to our country, but what better way to show appreciation than by donating your time and resources to organizations that support and honor veterans and the memory of those who have fallen. Get the family together and partake in the parade, and make signs in celebration of our veterans.
Remembrance Day is also the most opportune time to learn more about the history of service within your family. Take the time to sit and chat with relatives about their experiences. Always be respectful. And allow them to share only when they are comfortable. These moments can bring you closer and demonstrate your compassion with your family. It also shows your deep respect for those who are unable to share their own stories as figures who made the ultimate sacrifice.
For servicemen and servicewomen without a support system, you can take the time to be a supportive ear just to listen, someone to talk and connect with. You can get in touch with your local VAC; there you’ll have an opportunity to visit and support our veterans first-hand. Let them know their service is not forgotten, thereby creating a gratifying experience for everyone involved.
If you can’t donate your time, you can also donate clothing or purchased items to your VAC. Remember, they need a lot of different things in order to carve out a satisfying life. Donating things like table covers and insulated tarps to accommodate veterans as a safety precaution, especially with harsh weather on the way and more things happening outside, is a big help.
Visit the VAC
Most cities have a local VAC, or Veterans Affairs Canada. They provide various services such as meals, meeting places, sources of connections for fellow veterans to keep abreast of things like veteran’s healthcare, and other benefits of serving.
See what you can do to help them and their membership. Maybe join in to create and promote a pancake breakfast to the entire community with proceeds benefiting the VAC. A service in the VAC’s meeting hall to honor your neighborhood’s veterans is another great way to show your appreciation. It only takes a little to let them know how much their service means.
Good for Business
As a business owner getting involved is easy, with so many businesses providing veterans and active military members discounts and free services on Remembrance Day. It helps your business give back to our military members and is a sign of good faith.
If you’re a restaurant owner an easy way to show appreciation is to offer a discount or free meals. Sponsoring food drives to gather supplies for homeless veterans is another great way to give back.
Just Be There
The simplest thing to do is just to be appreciative of those who have served while they are still with us. Maybe strike up a conversation with a veteran you always see around town or invite your military friends to lunch and appreciate them for who they are and the great sacrifices they’ve made. One universal show of respect is easiest of all: pin a poppy and be present on Remembrance Day.
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