7 Ways to Celebrate Veterans Day 2011

Veterans Day 2011 will have a special date: 11-11-11. The national holiday occurs every November 11th, and comes right in between two of America's favorite holidays, Halloween and Thanksgiving. If you're looking for a great way to honor any person who has fought for the United States' freedom, then consider joining the Veterans Day celebrations.

1. Attend the National Veterans Day Ceremony

The national celebration takes place every year at Arlington National Cemetery. The ceremony begins at 11 a.m., when current service members lay a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknowns. After this, a parade of colors marches to the Memorial Amphitheater.

2. Find a Regional Veterans Day Event

If you don't live close to Arlington, you can still take part in the commemoration. The United States Department of Veterans Affairs maintains a list of regional events that will take place as part of the national holiday. Phoenix, Arizona will host a Veterans Day parade, as will Atlanta, Georgia. Other regional areas include Indianapolis, Indiana; Honolulu, Hawaii; Albany, Oregon; and Austin, Texas.

3. Print an Official Veterans Day Poster

Each year, the Department of Veterans Affairs Committee releases an official Veterans Day poster to celebrate the national holiday. Thanks to computers, you can print a high- or low-resolution copy of the poster from the department website. This year's design sets a photo of the Statue of Liberty against a blue background. In the Department's poster gallery, you can see designs dating back to 1978.

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4. Invite a Local Veteran Group to a Flag Raising

This event is popular among schools or other educational organizations that want to celebrate the event. Smaller towns may not have a parade or other event planned, so this can be a good way to bring the national holiday to your area. You can schedule the event at any place with a flag.

5. Write a Veteran a Letter

Some veterans spend their remaining year hospitalized or in a veterans home. These individuals may or may not have family members who can visit them on a regular basis. Like most people, the majority of these veterans enjoy getting letters or cards. You can send your own message to one of these individuals by finding a location for a facility through the VA's website. Just click on the "Locations" link and select the type of facility you would like to find.

6. Volunteer at a VA Hospital or another VA Facility

Why not celebrate this national holiday with the honored group? If you have a spirit of service, you can share this gift with others by volunteering your time at a local facility. If you want to be at the facility on the holiday, make sure you know the organization's rules and policies. You can't always walk into a veterans hospital and volunteer without training.

7. Watch a Walt Disney Film

You may be wondering how Walt Disney fits with Veterans Day. If so, you need to consider the history of Walt Disney and its war efforts. During World War II, Walt Disney worked to keep morale high both for service members and U.S. citizens. The company produced special films for each branch of service, including "The Spirit of '43." Additionally, the company designed insignia for military equipment and apparel.

Veterans Day may not be as popular as Memorial Day, but it is just as important. This year, don't let the holiday slip by. Pick one or more of the aforementioned things and celebrate. For more on national holidays, visit our DIY blog.