This time of year is a wonderful opportunity for our neighbors across Cridersville and Auglaize County to pay tribute to veterans both living and dead. There are a number of ways we honor our veterans here at Bayliff & Son Funeral Home. These include standard honor military funerals, memorial plots, Presidential Memorial Certificates, and burial in a VA National Cemetery.

If you’re looking to pay special tribute to veterans this year, here are some creative ways to honor their inspiring contributions to our community and our country.

Observe the Veterans Day Moment of Silence.

Since 2016, Americans across the country are encouraged to observe two minutes of silence to honor our veterans. Be sure to keep your time zone in mind as you plan to observe this special shared experience!

Organize a Veterans Day lunch.

A casual lunch is a great way to bring both the veterans and civilians in your life to together to socialize. This can be a small celebration at your home or a larger event in a rented restaurant or event space. The meal doesn’t have to be elaborate. Ask each guest to bring a side dish or dessert so that everyone contributes to the experience. Encourage veteran guests to share their stories and non-veterans to express their appreciation for veteran military service.

Donate to your local VA medical center.

Whether you choose to give your time or resources like canned food items and handmade masks, making a donation to your local VA hospital is a great way to honor veterans this fall. Call the medical center ahead of time to check the volunteer schedule or ensure your food donation fits COVID-19 protocols.

Send handwritten cards.

This year, take the time to write a thank you card expressing your appreciation for the veterans in your life. If you know the veteran personally, let them know what their individual sacrifice means to you. If you don’t, consider sending a handwritten card to a veteran in your wider social circle.

Share your gratitude out loud.

If you see a veteran out and about on or around Veterans Day, take a moment to thank them for their service. Knowing that their hard work is noticed and appreciated means a lot. Sharing your gratitude may seem like a small thing, but it can have a huge impact.

On November 11th, our dedicated team at Bayliff & Son will be celebrating Veterans Day with our loved ones. Feel free to reach out to us should you have any questions about our professional services.