Going a Step Beyond "Thank You" on Veterans Day
Kevin Schmiegel
Co-Founder and CEO of ZeroMils - Social Impact Consulting Firm - Our Mission is to Create #MilitaryThriving Cultures and Communities
This past weekend, a fellow Marine Veteran and close friend of mine asked me what I thought about people saying “thank you for service.”?
I couldn't help but remembered this 2019 article in Newsweek, and think back to the countless conversations I’ve had about this same topic over the past dozen years, leading three national nonprofits.?
During the early days of Hiring Our Heroes we had heated discussions with employers about hiring Veterans because it was, “right for their business” rather than the “right thing to do.”
And in the three years Paul and I served together at Operation Gratitude, we emphasized over and over again, that saying “thank you” is only the beginning.? It's the start? of a conversation that leads to more meaningful connections and increased understanding and empathy that? ultimately builds bridges between civilians and those who serve our country.
This Veterans Day those five words —? “thank you for your service” — will be used millions of times by grateful Americans in supermarkets, restaurants, and communities nationwide. They are important words that shouldn’t be left unsaid.? But, it shouldn’t start and end there.??
It’s what we say as Veterans and what we do in the moments after that make a difference. They provide us with opportunities to come halfway across the bridge, by describing what we and our families experienced during our service — the good, the bad, and the ugly.??
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For civilians, here are 4 simple ways to not only express appreciation on Veterans Day but to go a step beyond and gain a better appreciation for those who have served and sacrificed for the freedoms we enjoy as Americans.?
What’s nice about the list above is it applies to Veterans too. If you served you can join the Team RWB and Oscar Mike movement. Sport Clips is also offering free haircuts to active duty service members and military retirees on Veterans Day.?
You can also pay it forward by making a donation yourself. And better yet, if you see a civilian who does any of the above, thank them, too, and tell them your story. and why you served this nation called America we love so much.?
CVS Health leader and veteran committed to helping others. 2018 Graduate of George W. Bush Institute Stand-To Program.
2 年Had a similar thought this morning. https://www.dhirubhai.net/posts/coloneldavidalee_a-veteran-who-serves-other-veterans-activity-6996058506441224192-gCiN?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios
Nonprofit Director turned Public Health Catalyst | Advancing Evidence-Based Change for Rural Health | Advocating Through Data and Systems | Army Combat Veteran | Salesforce Guru & Data Enthusiast
2 年Another REALLY great way to honor Veterans that costs absolutely nothing is to educate yourself and your community on suicide prevention resources. There are 47,000+ Veteran Serving Nonprofits in the United States, yet our Veteran Suicide Rate is still outrageously high. I recommend the following: Get the word out about 988 -- the Nationwide Mental Health Crisis and Suicide Prevention Number (press 1 to reach Veterans Crisis Line). 2. Take time to understand your community and the increased risk your Veterans may face; several groups are more vulnerable or face additional constraints increasing their risk of suicide. These populations include veterans, American Indians/Alaska Natives, farm/ranch workers, and LGBTQ+. 3. Connect with Veterans in your community -- that can be at the local Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), the nearest MISSION BBQ, or even the Friday Night Football game. It doesn't matter... CONNECT...human to human. #connectionsavelives #suicideprevention #selfharmawareness
#CheckZeroMils Appreciation = gratitude and understanding.