It’s impossible for those without a family member in the military to fully understand the impact military service has on an entire family. Military families need our support as they navigate the trials that come with the selflessness their loved one exhibits when they make the decision to protect our country.
Thank You Military! Plaques
Military Shield Plaque
Military Retirement GiftAs many of us know, November is recognized as Military Appreciation Month, with the 11th being designated as Veterans Day. We should take this month, as well as all of the others in the year, to recognize the families of those who serve in the military. We created a list of the different ways you can do this.
1. Involve Your Church
One’s church family plays a large role in encouraging them through trying times. When one’s parent or spouse is in the military, the church should rally together in support of the family left behind. There are a few different ways in which the church can band together to support these families. These can include the following:
- Start a meal train
- Collect donations for the family
- Recognize military members in your church services
- You can all collaborate to achieve the rest of the items on our list
2. Display a Flag
It warms the hearts of military members and their families to drive past homes and see a display of gratitude in their front yard. Consider putting out a flag not only on Independence and Veteran’s day; keep yours out all year. By doing this, you show your support and recognition is not limited to a designated holiday.
3. Give Parents a Break
The spouses of military members must act as a single parent when their loved one is deployed. Between caring for children and keeping up with the household chores, they’re likely to become exhausted. A small gesture on your part can mean a lot to an overwhelmed parent. Offer to babysit their children so that they can have a night away from home, or come over and simply do some chores while they sit down and rest for a while.
4. Donate in Their Name
It means a lot when anyone makes the decision to support a charity, but for those with loved ones in the military, you can show your support by donating money to a charity that specifically supports them. When you make your next donation, pick one that focuses on service members, or do it in the name of a military family. You can also do this for a charity you know means something to the family.
5. Send a Care Package
Care packages offer a beautiful, as well as meaningful, way to show love and support. You can create one to send to the military member themselves as they serve abroad, or you can send one to their family. Keep in mind that these packages don’t have to be fancy or expensive. Those who serve overseas often crave the simplest pleasures. Something such as a chocolate bar or their favorite kind of cookie can brighten their entire week. When you put this package together, make sure you also include a meaningful note of gratitude.
6. Care for Their Children
We don’t always realize the ways in which children can feel left out when they have a parent serving in the military. Schools will often host certain events that a child with a parent serving in the military may feel as though they can’t participate in. No child should feel left out in these events, so consider stepping up and acting as a stand in for their parent for a day. They’ll have the ability to experience a sense of normalcy that may not be incredibly common for them.
7. Pay for Their Food
Do you see a military member or their family when out for dinner or a cup of coffee? If you do, consider anonymously paying for their meal. This simple show of gratitude will stay with them long after they finish their meal.
8. Include Them
We mentioned above the idea of acting as a stand-in parent for military children to ensure they don’t feel left out. This is something you can do for the entire family. If you have plans to spend the night out, don’t forget to extend an invitation to a military spouse. Don’t automatically assume they don’t want to be invited along to couple outings. Reach out and ask them whether or not they’d want to join you. They may feel unwelcome in couple events, and you should make sure to let them know that this isn’t the case.
9. Offer an Ear
It’s important to reach out to military family members and ask if they just want to talk. It doesn’t cost you anything to sit down, or pick up a phone, to give military family members an outlet. They need to know that someone can hear them, and sometimes, it helps to just vocalize what’s going on inside their head. Let those you know who are in any way involved in the military that you’re there to listen any time they need it.
10. Offer Discounts
If you own a small business, consider offering discounts to military members’ families. Many businesses don’t take family members into account when creating discounts, but many families can positively benefit from this option. If you own any type of eatery, offer somewhere around 5% off of meals for the families of military members.
11. Recognize Retirement
There will come a time at last when a military member retires and gets to settle back in with their family. When this happens, band together with your community to create an event that celebrates their return and thanks them for the sacrifices they made for our country.
Other service members, such as police officers and firemen, will often join in on the event and make a sort of parade for the returning hero. Serve the military member’s favorite food and see if a local bakery will contribute a cake. While at the event, present them with a military retirement plaque they can display in their home to remind them of their heroic service. Know your appreciation shouldn’t end once the event is over and they’ve settled into their retirement, though. Make sure your local veteran is forever recognized for their service.
