Today is Veteran’s Day in the United States, the one day of the year we honor those who served in the military. On the other days of the year, we forget them. We step over homeless vets as they sleep on the street. We complain about the budget deficit while our country fights a war in Afghanistan. We underfund the VA. We ignore the thousands of families living on military bases while their loved ones fight far away from home. We’re all patriotic when we see a young person in a military uniform but as soon as they’re out of sight we forget them.

Thank a Veteran for fighting for you. Thank a Veteran’s family for letting them go. Thank a Veteran for the years they dedicated and the hours they spent facing death. Do it today, but do it tomorrow, too. These men and women sacrificed for you and their beliefs. Sometimes they joined the military because they didn’t have any other choice; these are kids from rural areas with no money for college or a job waiting for them after high school. Some of them were drafted. Some fought because it was the right thing to do. Some fought even when they knew there was no good reason to.

They deserve our respect, not pity. They deserve to be remembered and honored every day, not just once a year with a flag wave. Thank a Veteran for their service, and then call your Congressperson and let them know you stand with Veterans. Demand fair treatment. That’s the best way we can say thank you.