Veterans Day is so much more than a 24 hour period. It is a day to honor our fallen soldiers, recognize those who have returned from combat, lift up the strong individuals who have served and currently serve in our armed forces, and so much more. The attitudes we embrace on Veterans Day should stay with us each day. Take time today to learn about the history of Veterans Day, thank a veteran in your community, and discover ways you can help those who so bravely fought and fight for our country. And remember that while November 11th is the official Veterans Day, our veterans and their families deserve recognition for their service and sacrifice every day of the year.

On November 11, 1918, at 11 a.m. the Germans and the Allies signed an armistice effectively ending World War I. While the world watched with bated breath as sons and brothers and fathers came home from abroad, there was a sense of relief that the “War to End All Wars” was over and that peace and prosperity would follow. As we know, World War II would begin just 11 years later, plunging the world into turmoil once again. Even today, wars and battles rage on. And in the midst of it all, one thing has remained constant: the will, dedication, and sacrifice of our Armed Forces.

Nov. 11, 1918 was Armistice Day, which eventually became Veteran’s Day. We realized that while peace may not be permanently achievable, those who fight for freedom and to restore peace deserved to be honored.

“We have a motto – All gave some; some gave all.”

– Howard William Osterkamp, a Korean War Veteran from Dent, OH

Please take some time today to check out the linked articles below. There are stories of heroism and valor as well as write-ups about issues and problems facing our veterans today.

Veterans Day Articles & Resources

November 11th: This Day in History

Read this History Channel write-up on World War I. It’s a short, but informative excerpt on how the house of cards that was Europe fell on a damp June morning in 1914 and how the death of an archduke and his wife set up two of the bloodiest conflicts in history.

Veterans’ Legacies

Veteranslegacies.com is a crowd-sourced project dedicated to collecting the stories and experiences of veterans from all branches of the military. Use the “Find Stories” tab to hear directly from veterans about their military experiences, good and bad.

Critical Issues Facing Veterans and Military Families

Spend a few minutes reading this article from SAMHSA.gov about the issues affecting Veterans today. The piece includes warning signs and resources to get these brave men and women the help they need when they need it.

Use VA.gov to Help Veterans During Appointments

According to ABC News, over 2 million veterans may go without insurance. Showing a veteran how to use the Veterans Affairs website as a bridge to help secure health care is a great way to display how much you appreciate these great men and women.

For more information on insurance plans for your veteran clients, please contact Senior Marketing Specialists. 800-689-2800

VA Seal Image Source: http://nets-us.com/nets-granted-prime-contract-with-the-department-of-veteran-affairs/