As the Executive Director of Stars Forward, an organization dedicated to helping active military members be there when their families need them most, I often reflect on the ways we express gratitude to our veterans. Saying “thank you for your service” is a start, but true support means so much more.Veterans carry the weight of sacrifices that many of us may not fully understand—missed milestones, disrupted careers, lifelong physical and mental challenges. They give up much of what we consider “normal life” so that we can keep ours. Today, on Veterans Day, I invite you to think beyond words. If we truly want to honor those who have served, let’s consider actions that can make a real difference in their lives.The following passage, written by a Marine veteran, provides insight into the true depth of service and sacrifice that veterans experience. Their words offer us all an opportunity to reflect on what meaningful support for our veterans can look like.As a Marine veteran, I've heard the "thank you for your service" phrase again and again, especially during last week's Veterans Day celebrations. Maybe I should feel honored, but more often I feel annoyed, because many times it comes across like an empty gesture. I often wonder how many people really think about what service truly means or have ever talked with a former servicemember about life in the military.Veterans sacrificed not just in what they did during their time in the military, but in what they didn't do or have — the typical entry-level positions or a 9–5 job that provides career advances, a competitive salary, and time to enjoy quality time with their family and friends.Too often we think holding a parade or shaking a veteran's hand is the extent of our duty to them. But if we really want to honor veterans, we should do something more substantive. What you do for a veteran is often more important than what you say.1. Hire a Veteran2. Hire a Military Spuse or caregiver3. Donate Pro Bono Hours to Veteran Organizations4. Volunteer & offer your expertise at a Verteran Organization 5. Use a Veteran Owned Business6. Donate to a Veteran OrganizationThey Sacrificed More Than You RealizeRemember that they have left home to go to another country. They left behind what most Americans regard as a normal life. Their absences cost them treasured relationships with friends and family. They missed out on anniversaries, birthdays, even funerals. They gave up finishing their education at the school of their choice. Promotions and pay raises in the civilian workforce passed them by. An amputee gave up more than time. Some vets have seen their best friends die. Some came home with invisible mental or emotional wounds from which they’ll never recover. These are some of the sacrifices you’re acknowledging when you offer a sincere thank you. It’s also important to remember that each veteran is different, and that affects their response. A WWII veteran had a much different homecoming than a Vietnam veteran. A draftee doesn’t feel the same about war as a volunteer does. ... See MoreSee Less
