"Honor to the Soldier, and Sailor everywhere, who bravely bears his country's cause."
– Abraham Lincoln
On November 11, 1919, to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the signing of the armistice (or agreement) that ended World War I, U.S. President Woodrow Wilson issued a message of remembrance. He proclaimed that November 11 would be a day for Americans to reflect on the “heroism of those who died in the country's service.” This yearly day of remembrance became known as Armistice Day. While it was originally designated solely for veterans of World War I, President Dwight D. Eisenhower officially renamed it Veterans Day in 1954, ensuring that veterans of all wars would be able to be honored for their service.
Nearly 70 years later, Americans continue to honor the veterans of our armed forces on November 11. Unlike Memorial Day, which focuses on those who tragically perished in the line of duty, Veterans Day marks an important opportunity for Americans to thank, honor, and commemorate the individuals who have put on the uniform and served their country with honor, whether in war or peacetime. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Day is meant to underscore the fact that “all those who served—not only those who died — have sacrificed and done their duty.”
This Veterans Day, University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) is highlighting some of the ways that people can show their appreciation for the legacy of service demonstrated by veterans of our armed services.
Reach Out and Talk to a Veteran
While this may seem like a simple way to show your appreciation, some veterans deeply appreciate being asked about their military experience in a respectful manner.
“Ask us an open-ended question that comes from curiosity,” says Xavier Bruce, DBA, assistant vice president of Veterans Initiatives at UMGC and a veteran with 24 years of distinguished service. “If you see us wearing a veteran’s hat or something that signifies that we’re a veteran, it’s because we want to let people know that we’re proud of our service.”
In addition to thanking them for their service, Bruce recommends people ask more specific questions that can open new avenues of conversation.
“Ask us where we were stationed. Ask us how you can help.”
In the end, Bruce believes that simple conversations, conducted with curiosity and respect, can go a long way.
“Get to know us,” he says.
Visit a Memorial, Attend a Parade, or Event
One of the best ways to celebrate our nation’s veterans is by attending an event that honors their service. Watching a parade, listening to a speaker, or visiting a memorial are all great ways to show your support. It also gives you an opportunity to speak to veterans who might be interested in sharing their stories. Multiple online tools can help you find an event. Military.com keeps a running list of Veterans Day events organized by state, which ensures that you’ll be aware of the events happening near you.
If you live near Washington, D.C., why not pay a visit to one of the many memorials located in our nation's capital? These memorials commemorate a specific engagement that our armed forces have engaged in, giving you an opportunity to learn more about those who served. Some of the memorials you can visit include the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial, and the National World War II Memorial. In addition, the public is free to pay their respects at Arlington National Cemetery, which also offers daily tram tours.
Many of these locations will be offering special events for this year’s Veterans Day celebrations. However, they will also continue to offer the same guided tours and public events that are available year-round. Visiting these memorials is a great way to celebrate our nation’s veterans and learn more about their service. Destination D.C. has a full list of memorial sites open to the public, as well as a comprehensive list of activities that will take place during this year’s Veterans Day celebrations.
Support a Veteran-Owned Business
After their time in the service has ended, many veterans choose to utilize the skills they’ve learned by starting their own businesses. A great way to celebrate a veteran’s service is by supporting their business.
The Veterans Owned Business Project is a directory of businesses owned by veterans, service-disabled veterans, active-duty servicemembers, reservists, and military spouses. You can filter these businesses by state, which gives you the opportunity to flex your purchasing power in your local community.
"Veterans are different,” says Bruce. “We are resilient based on what we dealt with while we were in service. But many of us do not want to do the same things that we were doing while in service.”
This resilience might be part of the reason why our nation’s veterans have started businesses in so many different fields. The Veterans Owned Business Project organizes their directory by category, allowing you to see the sheer breadth of work being represented. Whether it’s real estate, financial services, transportation, defense, or healthcare, it’s clear that veterans have the skills and knowledge necessary to take on any endeavor. Their skills and talents are universal.
Why not support a veteran-owned business near you? You’ll be giving back to your local community, and you’ll also be supporting a veteran.
Connect a Veteran with Networking Opportunities
Bruce understands that sometimes, a simple conversation is all it takes to connect a veteran to a job opportunity, a resource, or a support system that they might not have otherwise known about.
“Something that we share, or ask, could be easy for you to do,” he said. “But it could change the trajectory of our lives.”
Bruce uses the example of a veteran who might be trying to change careers. A simple introduction, whether at a networking event or a career fair, might make all the difference.
“It’s not who we know—it's who knows us,” he said. “Introductions to people who are beneficial to our journey can increase our quality of life.”
At UMGC, we are a military-trusted institution that understands the power of these networking opportunities, which is why we offer a multitude of resources and services for veterans. One of the most important resources we offer is the Vessey Virtual Student Union.
The Vessey Virtual Student Union is the perfect place for veteran UMGC students to learn about all the relevant career and professional networking opportunities available to them. They can also connect with their fellow veterans and active duty servicemembers.
Support a Veterans Organization
Our nation’s veterans understand—perhaps more than anyone—the power of collective action. While it’s important to support veterans on an individual level, it is equally important for us, as a nation, to support our veterans on a societal level. That’s where national organizations can make a key difference. Lending your support to these organizations is an effective way to ensure that we, as a society, can take care of our veterans on a more structural level.
One of the most famous national organizations that continually provides support to our veterans is the Wounded Warrior Project. The Wounded Warrior Project offers crucial services to our nation’s servicemembers and veterans, including mental health support, career counseling, and advocacy efforts. There are many ways for ordinary citizens to get involved with this program, including by hosting a fundraiser or participating in a 5K race!
Another national organization that helps to support our nation’s veterans is the National Veterans Foundation. This foundation provides important outreach services to veterans, including providing for veterans who might need assistance with food, clothing, and other essentials. They also run public awareness campaigns that seek to educate the public about the needs of our nation’s veterans. There are many ways to support the National Veterans Organization, but they note that the best way to give support is by donating your money, which makes a tangible difference in the lives of America’s veterans.
An organization that is near-and-dear to Bruce’s heart is the National Association for Black Veterans (NABVETS), where he serves as Commander of the Central Maryland Chapter. NABVETS is a nationally certified Veterans Service Organization that provides personal advocacy on behalf of veterans seeking assistance with claims and benefits. The organization is passionate about preserving the historical contributions of minority veterans and commemorating their legacies, as well as amplifying the voices of those often unheard.
"We stand united in service, ensuring every veteran’s voice is heard and every story honored,” says Bruce, speaking on behalf of the work he does for the organization.
“From homelessness to holistic support, we’re not just creating solutions; we’re nurturing legacies,” he said.
Local veterans' organizations also welcome contributions and support from the community.
A Final Note about UMGC’s Support for Veterans
UMGC has been serving military servicemembers and veterans since 1947. In fact, that’s how we got our start.
In 1949, five years before President Eisenhower designated November 11 as Veterans Day, UMGC began sending its faculty members overseas to educate active-duty military personnel in Europe. Today, we continue to show our appreciation for the service and sacrifice of servicemembers and veterans and recently began offering yet another way to show our appreciation for veterans: credit for military rank.
As part of this new program, UMGC offers up to 12 credits in undergraduate business, management, and leadership courses for servicemembers and eligible veterans who have achieved rank E5 or above.
Bruce, in his role as assistant vice president of Veterans Initiatives, understands the importance of education more than anyone.
“I’m now able to help students that are military-affiliated,” he explained. “UMGC is retaining [veterans] with our initiatives and programs. Then, once they graduate, we’re helping them connect with employers.”
In the end, Bruce has a simple way of viewing the work that he’s doing at UMGC with the student veterans who have so honorably served along with him.
“I’m able to lift as I climb,” he says.
This Veterans Day, University of Maryland Global Campus gives a proud salute to our brave veterans and their legacy of loyalty and service. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for your service to our country.
Reference on this webpage to any third-party entity or product does not constitute or imply endorsement by UMGC nor does it constitute or imply endorsement of UMGC by the third party.
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