“Go Beyond Thanks Campaign” asks people to do more on Veteran’s Day

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (KBSI) – USAA — a financial services company serving military members and their families — asks people to do more than thank military members for their service.

According to a USAA survey, nearly half of service members and veterans say they feel uncomfortable or awkward when people say, “Thank you for your service.” This is especially true for younger military service members and veterans.

USAA deputy chief of staff Matthew Shifrin is also a veteran of the post 9/11 wars. He said it’s okay to thank servicemembers and veterans, but said to take it a step further.

“Take the next step, make that connection,” Shifrin said. “Ask them a little bit more about what they did, where they did it, how they felt about it, and also kind of talk to them about how they transitioned into the civilian world. I think what we’ll find is that we have a lot in common.”

Shifrin said you can also support service members and veterans by simply sending a text, having a cup of coffee with them, or volunteering at a veteran service organization.

Founder of the Kentucky Veteran and Patriot Museum, Sandy Hart said she’s been interviewing veterans for years.

“Once I was able to ask them questions, they were able to answer them,” Hart said.

According to Hart, they thought nobody cared. Hart said when she was growing up they were told not to bother veterans, that they didn’t want to talk about it.

“The truth was, it was hard to talk about,” Hart said, “and part of the problem was they didn’t think that we wanted to be bothered.”

There are many veterans in Hart’s family. She’s come to know many other veterans through her work at the museum.

“A lot of these men suffer from survivor’s remorse,” Hart said. “They got to make it back home to their families and the other ones didn’t.”

She said surviving veterans need to know they’re appreciated.

“They need to know they can talk about their buddies,” Hart said. “They can talk about their own experiences. They don’t have to hold it in anymore. America’s ready to listen.”

USAA is calling for a national moment of gratitude at 11:00 a.m. on November 11, 2024. You can learn more about the “Go Beyond Thanks” campaign and other efforts to support service members and veterans here.