Veterans Day: Even Heroes Sometimes Need a Little Help

On this day, we’re grateful to war heroes, soldiers and military veterans who served our country and made sacrifices so we didn’t have to.

Last year, we thanked our veterans and honored women making a difference everywhere. The theme of women supporting women and recognizing each other’s skills and talents is still as relevant to us now as it was then.

This year, we’re considering: what does it mean to be a hero? And most of all:

How can WE help the heroes who’ve done so much to help US?

We often hear the term “hero” used to describe soldiers and veterans who served their country during wartime. There is nothing as inspiring as a person who puts their life on the line to fight for their beliefs - and to keep our freedom intact.

A hero is a person distinguished by exceptional courage and strength. Someone who goes above and beyond what’s expected of them, just because they can.A person that puts themselves in the firing line to make sure that others don’t get hurt.

Heroes make us feel safe in the world and we rely on their protection to give us peace of mind.

We often think heroes are invincible, that they don’t feel pain or fear in the same way that we do. We put them on a well-deserved pedestal and think they’ll be safe from harm up there, once the actual fight is over. But our heroes are also human. And even if they’re admirable, inspirational human beings we look up to, their humanity means that, sometimes, they also need a little help.

How to Help a Veteran on Veterans Day

Research indicates that an estimated 30% of Vietnam, 10% of Gulf War, 15% of Iraq veterans and 11% of veterans returning from Afghanistan struggle with PTSD (Healthcare (Basel)). And even those who don’t struggle with mental illness do experience the culture shock of spending long bouts of time away from home. It’s hard to see how everyone’s lives have moved on while you were posted away for so long. It takes time and patience for home to actually feel like home once again.

These are just some of the most serious problems that could plague our beloved veterans. But, deep down, they’re just like us: they also have off days where they need a little extra help (it’s like you, when you wear shapewear for a little extra confidence boost!).

So this Veterans Day, be the hero your own hero sometimes needs you to be. Ask them what you can do for them. We know even the strongest of women sometimes need to be hugged, loved and taken care of - and the same goes for all the brave veterans and heroes we have in our lives.

We’re thankful that veterans remind us of what it means to be a hero and that we get to pause every year to consider how we serve and protect our family, friends, and community in our own unique way.

After all, in the words of David Bowie, “We could be heroes, just for one day.”

And if you need some ideas to kickstart this day of hero TLC, here is a list of trusted Veterans Organizations and Foundations that will definitely welcome all the help they can get. Let’s make this day all about giving back!