Veterans Day 2025 ~ Honoring All Who Served

Some people live an entire lifetime and wonder if they have ever made a difference in the world. A Veteran doesn’t have that problem.  ~ Ronald Reagan

Our country has established two holidays ~ Veterans Day and Memorial Day ~ to honor the men and women who have worn the uniform of the United States. Unlike Memorial Day (the day we set aside to remember and honor military personnel who died in the service of our country), Veterans Day is intended to thank and honor all those who served honorably in the military, in wartime or peacetime, as well as those who died in battle or as a result of wounds sustained in battle. Veterans Day is intended to thank Veterans and their families for their service, to acknowledge that their contributions to our national security are appreciated, and to underscore the fact that all those who served ~ not only those who died ~ have sacrificed and done their duty.

Veterans Day

We must never forget why we have and why we need our military. Our armed forces exist solely to ensure our nation is safe, so that each and every one of us can sleep soundly at night, knowing we have ‘guardians at the gate.’  ~ Allen West

From the VA's Department of Veteran Affairs:

Each year the Veterans Day National Committee publishes a commemorative Veterans Day poster. The Committee selects a poster from artwork submitted by artists nationwide. Over the years these posters have illustrated the rich history of our country’s service men and women. The poster reflects our pride and patriotism in saluting Veterans while providing the thematic artistry for the year.

Understanding and Managing Grief, November 6 - November 12, 2022

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

More than a million Americans have lost their lives to COVID-19, leading to what some have called a second epidemic of grief. Lockdowns and other factors meant that many people couldn’t process their losses in normal ways with funerals and other gatherings. Prolonged and unaddressed grief can lead to significant mental health problems. Rep. Joe Morelle (D-New York) introduced the Grief Resilience Investment and Education Fund (GRIEF) Act to help combat some of these issues, especially in marginalized communities.  Better Support for Grieving Americans « Home Care

Understanding and Managing Grief, November 7 - November 13, 2021

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

Although we may want to cure someone's grief with a simple quick fix solution, it's not something that you as the gift giver have control over. Instead, it's necessary to be there for them as a reliable support system when they need to talk. But while your presence is the most important gift of all, you can also show up in other ways. 45 Best Sympathy Gifts for Those Who Are Grieving 2021 « Well + Good

Veterans Day, 2021

The soldier above all others prays for peace, for it is the soldier who must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war.  ~ Douglas MacArthur 

The theme for this year's Veterans Day Poster is Honoring All Who Served. Artist Matt Tavares explains, 

In this poster, a Tomb Guard carries out his responsibilities with unwavering dedication, alone on the quiet plaza at dawn. There have been Tomb Guards of all races, genders, religion and creeds, so I wanted to keep the identity of this Tomb Guard ambiguous. By placing the Tomb Guard off to the side I hoped to remind the viewer to look past the sentinel and focus on the tomb itself and the unknown soldiers who died in service to our nation.

Understanding and Managing Grief, November 4 - November 10, 2018

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

Why do we give dogs a better death than we give ourselves? http://j.mp/2ATheZJ « Aeon Essays

The Existential Crisis of Grief, http://j.mp/2JM38vS « Grief Compass

Finding H O P E at Camp Widow, http://j.mp/2APf50R « Soaring Spirits International

Veterans Day 2018

Honor to the soldier and sailor everywhere, who bravely bears his country’s cause. Honor, also, to the citizen who cares for his brother in the field and serves, as best he can, the same cause.
~ Abraham Lincoln

2018 marks the Centennial Commemoration of the end of World War I on November 11, 1918. The theme for the 2018 Veterans Day Poster is: “The War to End All Wars” and features a poppy and barbed wire.

Veterans Day was established by our country to honor the men and women who have worn the uniform of the United States. Unlike Memorial Day (the day we set aside to remember and honor military personnel who died in the service of our country), Veterans Day is intended to thank and honor all those who served honorably in the military, in wartime or peacetime, as well as those who died in battle or as a result of wounds sustained in battle. Veterans Day is our opportunity to thank Veterans and their families for their service, to acknowledge that their contributions to our national security are appreciated, and to underscore the fact that all those who served ~ not only those who died ~ have sacrificed and done their duty.

Understanding and Managing Grief, November 5 - November 11, 2017

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

How Can We Open Our Hearts to Grief? http://j.mp/2iP4p8i « SevenPonds Blog

Here's one blogger who writes on grief, http://j.mp/2iOl3F0 « Twitter, @bfotoronto

Everyone's Talking about Grief - And for Good Reason, http://j.mp/2iK3FkO « Verily

Veterans Day 2017

Honor to the soldier and sailor everywhere, who bravely bears his country’s cause. Honor, also, to the citizen who cares for his brother in the field and serves, as he best can, the same cause. ~ Abraham Lincoln

Americans across the country celebrate Veterans Day on November 11, a special day to salute the men and women who have bravely served our country in the military.

These fellow Americans ~ and their family members ~ have made profound sacrifices in defense of freedom and they deserve our heartfelt thanks, appreciation and support.

The liberty that we citizens enjoy comes at a price paid by these valiant men and women. May we all make sure we do our part to recognize and support them throughout their lives.

To all our nation’s veterans and their families, a sincere and heartfelt thank you.

Understanding and Managing Grief, November 6 - November 12, 2016

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

The Election: Of Hate, Grief, and a New Story, http://bit.ly/2esdJzV « Charles Eisenstein

Mourning, Elections, and Choosing to Be Kind, http://bit.ly/2fsGPfM « What to Say When Someone Dies

On losing my dad to Alzheimers, http://bit.ly/2fLapRc « Custom Crafted Songs

Veterans Day, 2016

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. ~ John F. Kennedy

Veterans Day is a federal holiday celebrated every year in the United States on the 11th of November. Originally called "Armistice Day," it was intended to honor veterans of foreign wars, but its purpose over the years has evolved to include and honor anyone who has ever served honorably in the military. It affords us an opportunity to thank veterans and their families for their service, to acknowledge that their contributions to our national security are appreciated, and to underscore the fact that all those who served ~ not only those who died ~ have sacrificed and done their duty.

In addition to the Veterans Day National Ceremony held each year on November 11 at Arlington National Cemetery at 11 a.m., communities across America plan their own ways to observe the holiday ~ but you need not wait until that day to reach out to veterans and their families.

Understanding and Managing Grief, November 8 - November 14, 2015

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

Talking to Kids about the Paris Attacks, http://j.mp/1MIvwfc « What's Your Grief?

Grief and Shame: An Unacceptable Combination, http://j.mp/1LdIuvV « The Adversity Within

Researchers call for hospitals to establish bereavement programs for families of deceased patients, http://j.mp/1HLDcI2 « Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Veterans Day, 2015

We live in a time of conflict - external and internal - when we sometimes concentrate too much on what divides us. Today, fly the Stars and Stripes with pride and confidence that what unites is far stronger.  ~ Charlie Dent

Our country has established two holidays ~ Veterans Day and Memorial Day ~ to honor the men and women who have worn the uniform of the United States. Unlike Memorial Day (the day we set aside to remember and honor military personnel who died in the service of our country), Veterans Day is intended to thank and honor all those who served honorably in the military, in wartime or peacetime, as well as those who died in battle or as a result of wounds sustained in battle. Veterans Day is our opportunity to thank Veterans and their families for their service, to acknowledge that their contributions to our national security are appreciated, and to underscore the fact that all those who served ~ not only those who died ~ have sacrificed and done their duty.

Understanding and Managing Grief, November 9 - November 22, 2014

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day - Letter to a Father http://j.mp/1AyCf5Z « AfterTalk

8 Tips to Help Someone Grieving During the Holidays, http://j.mp/1ta50hv « eHospice

Equine Therapy: Using Horses As A Healing Tool, http://j.mp/1xJsCAl « Philippi Center

Veterans Day 2014

Our country has established two holidays ~ Veterans Day and Memorial Day ~ to honor the men and women who have worn the uniform of the United States. Unlike Memorial Day (the day we set aside to remember and honor military personnel who died in the service of our country), Veterans Day is intended to thank and honor all those who served honorably in the military, in wartime or peacetime, as well as those who died in battle or as a result of wounds sustained in battle. Veterans Day is our opportunity to thank Veterans and their families for their service, to acknowledge that their contributions to our national security are appreciated, and to underscore the fact that all those who served ~ not only those who died ~ have sacrificed and done their duty.

Caregiving and Hospice, November 3 - November 9, 2013

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

How Will You Have The Talk of a Lifetime with Your Family? http://j.mp/1968ir9 « A Good Goodbye

10 Ways to Honor a Soldier on VeteransDay, http://j.mp/1bewwSZ « About.com Death and Dying

Caregiving for a Spouse With Alzheimer's: Joan's Story, http://j.mp/17fsU5Y « Everyday Health

Understanding and Managing Grief, November 11 - November 17, 2012

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

The source of the love we feel is always with us, http://j.mp/TKlmdY

Well said! Am I In Love With Grief? http://j.mp/QP9Ing

Webinar: Helping Children Cope with Their Own Dying or the Death of a Loved One, offered Tuesday, November 20, from 12 noon to 1:30 PM Eastern Time, http://bit.ly/PYYUla by @hfahospice

When You Are Grieving, Thanksgiving Day Feels Painful, http://j.mp/UJemEJ by @HopefulMJ via @selfgrowthnow

Poem "Where is the Angel?" http://j.mp/T0upst by @HopefulMJ

Caregiving and Hospice, November 6 - November 12, 2011

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

• Excellent! What to tell kids about cancer and palliative care, http://bit.ly/shv18i via @MassGeneralNews and @CommonHealth

• How Veterans Can Get the Help They Need, http://bit.ly/udAfaS 

• Straight Talk for Caregivers of Veterans, bit.ly/v219k

• Veterans Day, 2011: Honoring All Who Served, http://bit.ly/vQOBOw 

• Will patients want hospice or palliative care if they don't know what it is? http://bit.ly/rsFixS via @AAHPM

• Top 3 Excuses From Siblings Who Don't Help With Caregiving, http://ow.ly/7g8ew via @connectdforlife 

• Wonderful! Magical Thinking in Caregiving, http://bit.ly/tuCrt3 via @prettyzoely

• Delightful! Best medicine in caregiving is laughter, http://j.mp/uCBnw3 by @NurseBarbDehn via @CaringForYouKel

• Canine Ministers of Healing, http://bit.ly/uKWEqx

• Benefits of using music therapy in hospice, http://ow.ly/7h51I via @SeasonsHospice

• Lovely volunteer program: No One Dies Alone, http://bit.ly/tEmfah via @SevenPonds 

• How Can I Be a Compassionate Caregiver? http://bit.ly/tYtdxt 

• How to deal with anger in a caregiving situation, http://bit.ly/o2dd4h by @agingAIB 

• 25 tips: Caring for your loved one on hospice, http://ow.ly/7h4NJ via @SeasonsHospice

• 40 years later, hospice still misunderstood, http://bit.ly/vQulXJ via @hospicedave and @hospice_news 

• Good article on caregiving during the holidays, http://dld.bz/axCBJ via @Rob_Cares

• Sneaky Ways To Make Respite Care Accepted, http://j.mp/u4odsS by @ShelleyWebbRN 

• Understanding Hospice Nursing, http://j.mp/tRBFAt via @ShelleyWebbRN

Veterans Day, 2011: Honoring All Who Served

Our country has established two holidays ~ Veterans Day and Memorial Day ~ to honor the men and women who have worn the uniform of the United States. Unlike Memorial Day (the day we set aside to remember and honor military personnel who died in the service of our country), Veterans Day is intended to thank and honor all those who served honorably in the military, in wartime or peacetime, as well as those who died in battle or as a result of wounds sustained in battle. Veterans Day is intended to thank Veterans and their families for their service, to acknowledge that their contributions to our national security are appreciated, and to underscore the fact that all those who served ~ not only those who died ~ have sacrificed and done their duty.

In addition to the Veterans Day National Ceremony held each year on November 11 at Arlington National Cemetery at 11 a.m., communities across America plan their own ways to observe the holiday ~ but you need not wait until that day to reach out to veterans and their families.

To Honor Our Troops and Veterans on Veterans Day

Freedom Isn't Free

"To those who made the ultimate sacrifice, and to those who risk their lives today so that we may continue to live in freedom . . ."

Hospice Foundation of America suggests ways to better support veterans in their journey through serious illness and death in Honoring Our Veterans.

National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization and Hospice Action Network President and CEO Don Schumacher writes about NHPCO and the Department of Veteran Affairs’ joint efforts to honor veterans: It’s Never too Late to Say ‘Thank You’ to Our Nation’s Veterans: Even at the End of Life

For information on helping returning soldiers — especially the National Guard and Reservists — reintegrate within their family, the workplace, and the community, see Honoring Soldiers When They Come Home.

Your feedback is welcome! Please feel free to leave a comment or a question, or share a tip, a related article or a resource of your own in the Comments section below.
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© by Marty Tousley, RN, MS, FT, DCC