This Wednesday, November 11, 2026, is Veterans Day. It is a day to honor the men and women who have served in our nation’s armed forces — the VA describes it as honoring veterans “for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.”
For families, it is also a beautiful chance to teach children something lasting: that gratitude is more than a feeling. It is something we do. Here are some simple, meaningful ways to say thank you — this week and all year long.
Why November 11?
The date goes back to the end of World War I. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, fighting stopped when an armistice took effect at “the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month” — November 11, 1918. In 1919, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the first Armistice Day.
Congress later renamed it Veterans Day in 1954 so the day would honor American veterans of all wars. (Read the full story in our History section this week.)
1. Write a Thank-You Letter
A handwritten note can mean the world. Operation Gratitude, a nonprofit that began in 2003 and has sent more than four million care packages, invites Americans to write letters of thanks to service members, veterans, and first responders. Its official letter-writing guide offers helpful tips for families:
- Begin with a simple greeting, such as “Dear Veteran.”
- Thank them for their service and share hopeful, positive messages.
- Tell a little about yourself — your family, hobbies, school, or pets.
- If a child draws a picture, add their age to it.
- Avoid politics and topics like violence, injury, or death.
- Skip the glitter and confetti, and don’t put letters in individual envelopes.
- Children should not include last names, addresses, school names, or other personal details.
Before you mail anything, visit operationgratitude.com and sign up as a volunteer to get the organization’s current templates and delivery instructions.
2. Listen to a Veteran’s Story
Sometimes the greatest gift is a listening ear. The Veterans History Project at the Library of Congress, created by Congress in 2000, preserves firsthand stories of U.S. veterans and now holds more than 121,000 collections.
Veterans from all branches and ranks who served at any time since World War I are eligible, even if they never saw combat. Families can download the free Field Kit from loc.gov, which includes interview questions, required forms, and step-by-step instructions. Recorded interviews must be at least 30 minutes long to be accepted. The Library suggests choosing a quiet, comfortable place, asking open-ended questions, using old photographs to spark memories, and pausing if the veteran becomes uncomfortable.
Even if you never send it in, sitting with Grandpa or a neighbor and asking, “What was it like?” can become a treasured family memory.
3. Volunteer or Make Cards for a VA Medical Center
Many VA medical centers welcome volunteers and donations through their local volunteer office, and the rules vary by location. For example, the Philadelphia VA Medical Center says youth volunteers must be at least 14 years old, and it adds a sweet note for families with little ones: “Our Veterans love to receive cards,” suggesting school groups make them for holidays. Check your nearest VA’s “Volunteer or donate” page on va.gov to learn what it needs.
4. Keep Thanking Them All Year
- Invite a veteran neighbor to a family meal.
- Attend a local Veterans Day ceremony or parade together.
- Pray as a family for veterans and their families by name.
- Simply say, “Thank you for your service,” and mean it.
“I thank my God upon every remembrance of you”
— Philippians 1:3 (KJV)
Gratitude grows when we practice it together. When children see their parents honoring those who served, they learn that freedom has a cost — and that thankfulness is a way to love our neighbors. Through every storm, we rise together.
Is there a veteran in your family or neighborhood you want to honor this week? Tell us about them in the comments.
Sources: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, “History of Veterans Day” (accessed Nov. 7, 2026); U.S. Office of Personnel Management, “Federal Holidays” (2026 schedule); Operation Gratitude, “Who We Are” (accessed Nov. 7, 2026); Operation Gratitude, “Letter Writing: Notes of Gratitude” guide (2023); Library of Congress Magazine, “Participate in VHP” (January–February 2026); Library of Congress, Veterans History Project, “Step 2: Participate” and “Guidelines” (accessed Nov. 7, 2026); Library of Congress, “What comprises a Veterans History Project collection?” (accessed Nov. 7, 2026); VA Philadelphia Health Care, “Volunteer or donate” (June 1, 2026); KJV Philippians 1:3
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