Introduction
We hope you’ve all been enjoying the warmer days as we get nearer and nearer to June.
In this article, we intend to share more information on how we can celebrate and support our military personnel and veterans, especially as we head into June, which brings the 80th anniversary of D-Day, National Armed Forces Day, and Armed Forces Week.
Understanding the Importance of Honouring Military Personnel
Honouring military personnel, veterans and their families is crucial for recognising their contributions and sacrifices.
These brave individuals have dedicated their lives to protecting our freedoms and ensuring our safety. It is so important that we acknowledge their efforts and provide them with the support and appreciation they deserve.
Personal Celebrations
There are many ways we can individually show recognition and appreciation for veterans and military personnel. Here are just a few ideas:
Attend Parades and Events
Do you know about any parades and events in your local area that are being held to celebrate veterans and military personnel? Attending events like these is a great way to show your support, meet new people, and learn more about the military. If you don’t know of any happening now, keep an eye out. June is full of important days centred around military history and appreciation.
Wear Patriotic Colours
Another fun way to celebrate is by wearing an outfit made up of patriotic colours! This simple gesture can spark conversations and help spread awareness of the importance of supporting our troops.
Educate Yourself and Others
Another way to show appreciation for military personnel and veterans is by pursuing education about the military and its history. We suggest reading and sharing interesting stories of heroism, history books, or military documentaries with the people around you.
Volunteer
Volunteering is an amazing way to show your appreciation for military personnel and veterans.
There are so many charities in the UK that have made it their mission to provide support, recognition and understanding for military personnel and veterans, including:
- Care after Combat (Click here to learn more about our volunteering opportunities)
- Help for Heroes
- Combat Stress
- Fighting With Pride
- Blind Veterans UK
This is just a fraction of the charities out there you can get involved in if you’d like to support veterans, those who have served in the army, and their families.
Community Involvement
There are also many ways that whole communities can get involved in showing appreciation and support for those who serve or have served in the military.
Host Community Gatherings
You may be someone who wants to attend events to celebrate those who serve or have served in the army but cannot find any events nearby to attend. In that case, why not consider hosting an event yourself?
There are so many ways you can do this. With summer on its way, it may be a good time to try hosting a picnic or a cookout designed to celebrate military personnel and their families. You could also host dinners and lunches, coffee shop meetups, or educational talks. The options are endless, and you can provide a space for people to meet and bond with others who may have experienced life in the military or those who have family and friends who have served.
School Programmes
There are also so many ways that schools can participate. Organising age-appropriate educational events and workshops is a great way to teach children about military history and what troops do. Schools could even ask charities or veterans who are willing to speak about their own experiences to come into schools to do educational talks about the military, what serving in the military is like, and what it has taught them.
Another potential idea is asking children to write thank-you letters to veterans and military personnel for their service. This is a great way to get children thinking about the work and sacrifices those serving in the army have made, and it would hopefully help them understand the magnitude of these things.
Workplace Initiatives
Want to bring your celebration of military personnel and veterans into the workplace? We’ve got a few more ideas for you:
Recognition Programmes
If there are veterans working in your company, consider coming up with programmes or events the company can host to show these employees recognition for their service.
This could look like special offers, discounts, or rewards exclusively accessible to veterans. The company could also host special lunches on important military holidays, showing appreciation for these employees.
It is key to remember that, however, your company decides to celebrate, everyone remains respectful of the wishes of the veterans that are receiving recognition. Everyone likes to be celebrated and recognised differently, so be careful you don’t host a big party for a veteran who prefers smaller and quieter forms of appreciation – communication is key!
Educational Workshops 
Education doesn’t end with school, and veterans who are rejoining the workforce face unique struggles that other workers may not know about or fully understand.
This is why we believe that organising workshops or guest speakers to educate your team on military life and the challenges that veterans returning to the workforce may face is a brilliant idea. By doing this, every member of the team will be properly equipped to support veteran employees to the best of their abilities.
Flexibility and Support for Military Families
It is also important that support be provided to the family members of those serving in the military.
Family members with an immediate family member in the military also face their own unique struggles in the workplace. This might look like having to take time off to support and care for a family member who serves or has served, having to take on more childcare duties, and having to move or travel around a lot.
A big way that companies can offer support to these employees is by allowing them to work remotely, or work to a flexible schedule so that they can balance their responsibilities with more ease. Companies could also consider adding assistance with childcare costs into their employee benefits packages; this would directly benefit employees with spouses in the military who also have children to care for.
Conclusion
By taking the time to honour our heroes here in the UK, we not only recognise their sacrifices but also ensure that their legacy of bravery and dedication continues to inspire future generations.
Whether through personal gestures, community events, or educational programmes, there are countless ways to show our gratitude and support for the military personnel and veterans who have given so much for our freedoms. Let’s come together to honour our heroes and ensure they know how deeply appreciated they are.
