Celebrate Your Hero on the Wall of Honor for Veterans

Veteran’s Day is coming up on Monday, November 11th.  My kids are still young that although they understand what Veteran’s Day is, to them, it mostly means a day off from school.  At ages 7 and 10, I think it’s time  for Veteran’s Day to hold more value in their minds.  Veteran’s Day marks the end of World War I, which ended interestingly enough on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918.  Since then, Veteran’s Day is a day to reflect upon the service of all the men and women of the United States who have served towards us in the Armed Forces.  They risked their lives to serve our country snf protect our citizens as well as injustices to people in other countries, caused by their own militia.

Our freedom is often taken so trivially here in the United States.  It wasn’t until the fateful day of September 11, 2001, that many Americans woke up and realized that our country is not invincible.  Our men and women are stationed overseas to help prevent attacks on America, but also to ensure an uprising like Hitler’s regime, which helped to start WWII, doesn’t happen again.

To honor our veterans, Walmart has created an online Wall of Honor for veterans to celebrate those who have served in the US Armed Services.  This Wall of Honor for veterans, will be the largest online community where people can share their pictures, videos, and thoughts on their own veterans in their lives or share their gratitude for others who have served.   Have you served or perhaps a spouse?  Dad?  Mom?  Uncle or Aunt?  Perhaps a good friend of yours?  Consider joining me honoring them by uploading a picture of them to the site #Wallof Honor site.  Two of my brother-in-laws served in the army as well as my grandfather.  My grandfather, Josef Martin, served as a doctor during WWII.

My grandfather was overseas serving as a M.D. when my Dad was a young boy.  His mom became a single mom to my Dad and his sister while my grandfather was gone.  My grandfather helped many soldiers get back on their  feet again after being injured.  I have a funny story to share about my grandfather.  Many years later, after he had served, I’ll never forget the day I was cleaning out his home after he passed away.  In his closet I found a metal box, it looked like a military box of some sort.  You can imagine my shock when I opened up the box to reveal a hand grenade…with the pin still inserted!  He had saved it from WWII, as a memento I guess.  After calling 911, one or two government agencies came out right away to secure the area as they carefully transported the grenade away.  Though my grandfather’s memento is gone, the memory of WWII continues on in the pictures he left for us during his time in the service.

Walmart’s Commitment to Veterans

There are over 30 million veterans who have returned home from service for our country.   Walmart has a passion to help Veterans assimilate back into society.  The Walmart Foundation will be donating $20 million from now through 2015 to help soldiers prepare for their lives back home through job training, transition support, and education.

Walmart is  the largest private employer of veterans in the country and are committed to hiring more than 100,000 veterans over the next 5 years.  Bill Simon, Walmart’s US President and CEO believes,

“veterans have a record of performance under pressure.  They’re quick learners, and they’re team players.  These are leaders with discipline, training, and a passion for service.  There is a seriousness and sense of purpose that the military instills, and we need it today more than ever.”

On this Veteran’s Day, find some pictures to honor the veterans in your life on Walmart’s Wall of Honor for veterans site.  Take this opportunity to have your children help you so you can explain to them the physical, mental, and emotional challenges of being a man or women in the Armed Forces.

Have a wonderful Veterans’ Day on Monday and if you are or were a member of the US Armed Forces, thank you for your service and dedication to our country.

* http://va.gov