Like most holidays calling into memory those who have given a great sacrifice, Veterans Day can be a hard day to explain to young kids. Through the parades, fireworks and days off school, the meaning of the day can become lost unless parents force the point home.
Veterans Day is observed every Nov. 11 in coordination with the end of World War I, when the combatants signed the Treaty of Versailles. Before 1954, the day more clearly reflected this origin, as its name was Armistice Day. The change gave the federally recognized holiday a larger scope by celebrating not just those who served in the first World War, but anyone who served the country at any time.
Veterans Day is similar to other holidays where solemnity and reflection are the norm in that it can be tough to translate parades and days off of school to the more serious nature of the day.
If the entire family has off school and work, consider a trip to a war memorial. You might think these fit more for Memorial Day, but the sites offer a great chance for reflection and the perfect venue for you to have a talk with your kids about what it means to serve in the military. There are monuments and memorials all over the country, with a big concentration in and around Washington, D.C. If your family has any veterans, invite them for the trip and talk to them with your kids about what Veterans Day means to them.
The Three Soldiers – Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial in Washington, D.C. Photo: Vadim Lerner | Dreamstime.com
Use the occasion to get together with any family members who are veterans. Even if there is not a memorial nearby, it is a good time to spend quality time with them and let them know you appreciate their service.
Consider a trip to a specialty museum. Depending on your city, there can be many historic museums dedicated to those who served in the military. Battleship New Jersey is easily accessible from Philadelphia and can provide the entire family a glimpse into one of the country’s most decorated naval vessels.
Parades are popular for Veterans Day. If all else fails, consider seeking out your local parade. These offer a little more levity to the day’s true meaning, but can go a long way to helping your kids associate fun and meaningful memories with the day, especially if you stick around for any veteran services that follow many parades.
Read This Next
Tauck to Launch 4 New European Land Tours in 2025
Europe
Aug 29, 2024#WhereverFamily
Insta FeedDestinations / North America
Sep 6, 2024Salem, Massachusetts, Offers Plentiful Activities in October
Add a little spookiness to family travel this October with a visit to Salem, Massachusetts, busily preparing for its annual Salem Haunted Happenings, a month-long celebration of Halloween that attracts visitors from around the world. Destination Salem offers a visitor’s guide, mobile application and dedicated website detailing the month’s many initiatives.
Sponsored Content
Share Miles with Family and Friends with United Airlines
As you look ahead to winter travel, United Airlines and its MileagePlus loyalty program introduced MileagePlus miles pooling, which allows members to contribute and combine miles into a joint account. Groups of up to five members can now share and redeem miles in one linked account. As the first and only major U.S. airline to offer this feature, United also allows any MileagePlus member, whether relatives or close friends, to be in a pool with other members.
Destinations / North America
Sep 5, 2024Family-Friendly Stops to Make While Leaf-Peeping Through Rhode Island
Leaf-peeping is something of a fall tradition in America. When Mother Nature turns on the charm and transforms much of the country into a canvas of color, driving through regions where the leaves change colors can be an amazing experience for family travelers. Rhode Island, home to some of America’s most beautiful landscapes, is the perfect place to head each fall to see nature at its best.
News
Sep 5, 2024Remembering Rainer Jenss
WhereverFamily expresses its condolences on the passing of Rainer Jenss, founder, Family Travel Association, part of the inspiration behind the launch of the WhereverFamily brand. Dedicating himself as an advocate for family travel as an essential part of every child’s education, Jenss created Family Travel Association to have a collective, unified industry voice to help change the way families travel.
Sponsored Content
Sunflower Accessibility Program Featured at O’Hare and Midway Airports
Travelers with invisible disabilities passing through O’Hare and Midway International Airports can now discreetly signal they need assistance thanks to a new Chicago Department of Aviation partnership that helps create more accessible and inclusive spaces.
Destinations / North America
Sep 5, 2024Discover Kissimmee’s Western Wonders
While family travels to Kissimmee, Florida, don’t always include Western-themed experiences, you may be surprised to learn Kissimmee actually has a rich cowboy history and offers plenty of Western fun. Whether looking for a rodeo, cowboy fun or a fair with all the classic foods, there is something for you in Kissimmee.
ShareThis