Educators, police officers and first responders all do invaluable work in protecting and enriching our communities. Many of us offer them our gratitude and respect for their selflessness, and we celebrate their contributions often as a way of saying thanks.

Unfortunately, while these individuals may be highly respected, many of them face challenges when trying to purchase homes of their own.

There may be hope on the horizon, however. Many in Congress are looking to the federal HELPER Act of 2021, as it shows promise as a way to assist these groups.

What is it?

The “Homes for Every Local Protector, Educator, and Responder Act of 2021” — or the HELPER Act of 2021 — aims to assist firefighters, law enforcement officers, elementary and secondary school teachers and other first responders by making housing more affordable for these groups.

The program, administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, would allow for an affordable one-time mortgage offer for people in these occupations. The mortgage would include no down payment and no monthly mortgage insurance premium.

There are criteria in the bill to determine eligibility, including:

• An adequate credit score.
• At least four years of continuous employment.
• Requires a 3.6% Mortgage Insurance Payment (MIP), which will vary depending on the size of the loan.

In addition, there is a five-year reauthorization plan, meaning the government has the power to revoke the Act after that period.

What does it mean for first responders?

If passed, the HELPER Act would help affected people purchase homes, though especially first-time homeowners.

First responders and other included populations often face hurdles when trying to buy a home, especially for the first time. This leaves people in these occupations unnecessarily stressed out.

The unique challenges these individuals face when buying a home come in two particular varieties:

Challenges affording the down payment on a home.

Typically, this is 10-20% of the home’s value. But because these groups all too often face their own challenges when buying a home, they can’t make the down payment in addition to mortgage payments and other necessities. The HELPER Act removes this requirement, which would surely take down one of the major barriers first responders and educators have to purchase homes.

Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) requirements.

Usually, if you’re unable to deposit more than 20% of the home’s value upfront, you’re required to have PMI. The HELPER Act removes this requirement, which could potentially save people in these occupations several thousand dollars.

Will it pass?

Suppose the HELPER Act does pass, which looks promising, considering its near-universal support by both major political parties. Heroes such as first responders, educators and police officers will have a better chance of purchasing and owning their own homes without needing to worry about as many financial barriers. This could be game-changing for these occupations and could be a new way for Congress to show its appreciation for all the work they do, making our heroes feel more appreciated and secure by giving them a right to housing.

 

Every military family deserves superior health care tailored to their specific needs. There is a wealth of support programs for service members to seek out for their families. The Exceptional Family Members Program, designed for military families, includes support for dependents with special educational and medical needs.

What is the EFMP?

The EFMP is a resource offered to active duty service members who have spouses, children or adult dependents with special needs at home. The Department of Defense (DoD) provides this service.

There are three core components to EFMP:

• Enrolling a family member with special needs.
• Educating the military family on which projected duty station offers services for your family needs.
• Assisting the military family in accessing those programs and services.

But what is a special need?

What are some examples of a special need?

Special needs include, but are not limited to:

• Multiple sclerosis.
• Asthma.
• Diabetes.
• Attention deficit disorder.

Chronic conditions — including behavioral health conditions — that are treated by a medical specialist generally constitute a special need.

Why should you use the EFMP?

Active Duty Service members with special needs dependents face unique challenges in caring for their loved ones. Those challenges can become compounded when relocating. With the EFMP, the armed forces hope to ease our service member’s burden by offering support to their families so they can receive the care they deserve.

Are EFMP services available everywhere?

EFMP resources vary by location and may not be available in overseas or remote stations. This is why it’s vital to contact the nearest EFMP support office first to make sure you know what services are offered.

All military families can take advantage of Family Member Travel Screening (FMTS). Wherever you’re deployed, your family will have the resources they require, with careful consideration as to what your dependents’ needs are and what would be available to them.

The EFMP is not limited by which branch of the military you’re serving in; all branches offer the program.

How do you enroll in the EFMP?

Enrollment in the EFMP is mandatory for all active duty service members, and there are different ways to enroll if you’re not on active duty. Methods of enrolling and their applications are available in this quick guide.

The FMTS process includes a medical and educational screening for you and your family. This helps the support office identify what specific needs your family has. If those needs include anything that could apply to the EFMP, you should enroll in the program.

If you’re in the National Guard or Reserves, you might also be eligible for the EFMP, though you’ll need to contact your particular branch for instructions regarding enrollment in each.

What does “family support” include in the EFMP?

Family support includes, though is not limited to:

• Non-clinical case management, which includes Individualized service plans.
• Information on local schools and early intervention.
• Outreach and education.
• Support for transferring EVMP benefits from one location to another.

There’s no reason not to use the EFMP if you qualify

If you’re a military family that includes someone with special medical or educational needs, there’s no reason not to take advantage of the EFMP. The program gives service members peace of mind when deployed for active duty and their families the resources they can use to help meet those special needs.

You can access the EFMP family support by calling your local Military and Family Support Center or Military OneSource at 800-342-9647. Ask them for a referral to a special needs consultant.

 

The history of African Americans and other Black ethnicities is rich with fascinating stories. For example, there was the Stono rebellion in 1739 when enslaved people made a historic uprising against their owners, to Black surgeon Daniel Hale Williams performing the first successful heart transplant in 1893 at the Provident Hospital in Chicago. With tales like these, you can easily find encouragement and inspiration that would serve you well in your own life.

The roots of Black History Month

Black History Month was first recognized by President Gerald Ford in 1976, though its origins go much farther back. In 1915, nearly half a century after the Thirteenth Amendment ended slavery in the U.S., the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH) organization was founded to study and bring awareness to Black American achievements. 1926 marked the first Negro History Week during which lectures, performances, history clubs and local events were held across the country. Black History Month began to take form in the 1960s around college campuses, and soon afterward became an officially-recognized celebration.

Celebrating Major Richard Robert Wright and National Freedom Day

To commemorate this year’s Black History Month, we’ll spotlight a crucial figure: Major Richard Robert Wright, who was an American military officer, educator, college president, politician, banking entrepreneur and civil rights advocate.

Wright was born into slavery near Dalton, GA, on May 16, 1855. After emancipation, he served as the first Black Army paymaster and was a major in the Spanish-American War. He had been appointed by President William McKinley himself and acted as the highest-ranked Black officer in the armed forces.

Wright was especially dedicated to intellectual pursuits, and his son, Richard Robert Wright Jr., earned a Ph.D. at Penn in sociology. He was one of the first African American to earn a Ph.D. at the university. Wright Jr.’s daughter, Ruth Wright Hayre, earned her own doctorate and found success as an educator.

Wright founded National Freedom Day, which was first commemorated on February 1st, 1942 in Philadelphia, PA, a year after his death. It wasn’t until 1948 that President Harry Truman proclaimed February 1st to be National Freedom Day. This time is specifically dedicated to recognizing the value and privilege of freedom that all Americans now share and commemorates the signing of the Thirteenth Amendment by Abraham Lincoln in 1865 following the American Civil War. Because it’s celebrated on the first day of February, it also serves as the first day of Black History Month.

This year’s theme: health and wellness

Every Black History Month has a flavor and theme of its own, and this year, it’s Black health and wellness, according to the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) in Washington, D.C.

“This year’s theme explores the nuances of health and wellness in the Black community … [It presents] a new chance for everyone to gain wisdom and understanding on topics that don’t normally get discussed related to the Black community,” said Black Student Alliance Council (BSAC) president, Matthew Francis, at Texas A & M University.

Find inspiration in Black History Month and Major Richard Robert Wright

Many other nations across the globe recognize Black history in their own way, such as the United Kingdom, Canada and Ireland. Wherever you may reside, you too can participate in the exceptional celebration of monumental achievements made by Black individuals since the beginning of civilization. Black History Month is about recognizing the extraordinary accomplishments of Black and African American individuals so we can find encouragement in their uncommon endeavors.

There are many inspirational stories of those who went above and beyond their calling to achieve great things, and many of those successes serve to help us in our everyday lives. Whether it’s stories of heroism, scientific breakthroughs, exceptional civil rights advances or something else entirely, take the time to learn a thing or two about the people who made this country — and the world — a better place for all.

 

According to National Today, the number one killer of women is cardiovascular disease, which causes one in three deaths every year. It’s also one of the most preventable: It’s estimated that 87% of these deaths can be avoided, making awareness of this illness and how to reduce risk extremely significant for those affected.

Heart Health Month is held in February of every year. The first Friday in February is Women’s Heart Day (often called National Wear Red Day). This year, it falls on the 3rd of February.

The history of National Heart Health Month and Women’s Heart Day

President Lyndon B. Johnson declared National Heart Health Month to be February in 1964, nine years after he personally suffered a heart attack. The tradition of wearing red as a symbol of recognition started in 2002, and donning a red dress or other types of clothing ingrained itself until the first Friday in February became its own day of awareness.

How to prevent cardiovascular disease

You can prevent cardiovascular disease with good habits, including eating well and exercising regularly. You likely already know these are essential qualities of living well, but did you know that exercise alone can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by 49-57%, according to a study by PLOS Medicine?

Further, 33% of women don’t engage in sports or physical activity. Because these statistics go both ways, that means not exercising regularly drastically increases your risk of heart disease.

The other part of staying fit is healthy eating habits; this means having a diet rich in whole grains, lean proteins, healthy fats, vegetables and fruits. Specifically, you should aim for:

• 4.5 cups a day of fruits and vegetables.
• Four servings of unsalted nuts, legumes and seeds.
• Two 3.5-ounce servings of fish — especially those rich in oil — each week.
• Three 1-ounce servings of fibrous whole grains every day.
• Less than 1,500 mg of sodium per day.
• Two servings or less of processed meat per week.
• Limit sugary drinks to no more than 450 calories per week.
• Reduce consumption of saturated fats to less than 7% of all calories.

It might sound like a chore to keep track of all of this, but as long as you get the general idea such as more fruits and veggies and less salt and sugar, they’ll quickly become second nature. You certainly don’t have to be 100% precise with your habits, either — just understand the concepts behind them and adjust your diet accordingly.

There’s always room for improvement in your habits

Few people have perfect habits. Even if you think you’re completely healthy, it’s best to reassess your routine every once in a while to ensure you’re still up-to-date on the science involved in heart health and how to best prevent it. You could always do more.

Heart Health Month and Women’s Heart Day are meant to help you understand cardiovascular disease, whom it affects the most, and how you can prevent it. By practicing good habits, you won’t just be helping to prevent heart conditions, you’ll also feel your best.

 

Valentine’s Day is a day when we take the time to celebrate those we love. We buy gifts, we go out to fancy dinners and we look for ways to show our appreciation. It can sometimes be a challenge to think up an original approach your loved ones will really appreciate.

What if you could offer your loved ones something they can use for the rest of their lives?

Life happens. The reality for many is that few of us are prepared for the financial hardships that come with losing a family member. Consider a new direction to showing your love this Valentine’s Day and seek peace of mind by purchasing life insurance for your loved ones.

Top misconceptions about life insurance

The 2022 Life Insurance Barometer Survey tried to find explanations for why people don’t have life insurance, leaving their families at risk for financial difficulty should a family member unexpectedly die. It turns out that many simply don’t understand how life insurance works — what it costs, what it’s good for, whether substitutes are sufficient, or when the best time to buy life insurance is. There were four key misconceptions discovered in the survey:

Life insurance is expensive

Many wildly overestimate the cost of life insurance: 43% of Millennials estimate that life insurance for a healthy 30-year-old would cost $1,000 per year. It actually costs about $170 per year. That means many Millennials believe the cost of life insurance is six times higher than it really is. While it’s understandable that many would prioritize other financial needs because of this misconception, this puts families at risk of great financial hardship if a wage earner were to die unexpectedly.

Workplace life insurance is sufficient

Most employers’ life insurance comes to a flat sum of $20,000 or one year’s salary, which is simply not sufficient for many families. This goes especially for households with dual incomes — and 54% of U.S. households utilize this strategy to stay afloat. This misconception is fairly common: A full 26% of American workers believe their workplace life insurance is enough. This means that 44% of families would face financial hardship within six months and 25% in less than one month.

Buying life insurance is difficult

According to the survey, 54% of uninsured Americans don’t buy life insurance because they don’t know how to figure out the particulars; for example, how much they should buy, or what sort of coverage they need. Additionally, less than one in three respondents claimed they were “very” or “extremely” knowledgeable about life insurance. This uncertainty leads to many putting off taking action on their insurance plans. While working with an agent is an option, a full six in 10 Americans don’t utilize a financial professional when planning out insurance.

You only need life insurance when you’re older

The younger and healthier you are, the less expensive your life insurance tends to be. Putting it off can lead to vastly increased rates. Many insured Americans — about 4 in 10 — wish they had purchased life insurance sooner.

Demonstrate your affection by offering total peace of mind

At AFBA, we’re proud to support the Life Happens Insure Your Love campaign and fully believe in the importance of life insurance. This Valentine’s Day, do something that will leave a lasting, long-term benefit for your loved ones.

 

AFBA is proud to announce a partnership with the Association of the United States Army (AUSA). Effective late December 2022, all AFBA members — regardless of military branch affiliation, including first responders and federal and government workers — have a free membership with AUSA.

What is AUSA?

AUSA is a nonprofit educational and professional development association serving America’s Army and supporters of a strong national defense since 1950.  AUSA has many events and products related to the military and national security topic. As an Association Partner member, AFBA members receive a variety of products and discounts including:

• LawAssure, a legal document service free for individuals and small businesses.
• Discounts on travel, dining, entertainment, business and electronics, health and wellness and more from dozens of affinity partners.
• Free ACT/SAT Test Prep materials for you, your kids, grandkids or other family members.
• Free Resume Critique and job search tool through AUSA’s Jobs Central.
• Access to more than $300,000 in AUSA scholarships each year.

AUSA stands with the military community

According to AUSA’s website, its mission is to encourage “educational development, advancing national security and promoting greater recognition of the Army’s vital role in American life, past, present and future.”  AUSA has 121 chapters worldwide.  These volunteers provide a wide array of local programs to support current and former military members and their families.

The value of supporting our military and their families

Serving in the military can be an immensely gratifying and rewarding career, but those in the armed forces often need our support both during and after their career. Some challenges include:

• Educational challenges. It’s not just the fact that most service members join fresh out of high school which prevents them from pursuing higher education. Physical and mental health complications are common issues among veterans that can bar them from entry, which is why the partnership between AFBA and AUSA promotes education among their members.
• Occupational barriers. As with higher education, veterans may have difficulties finding work after serving. AUSA’s networking opportunities are for both active military and veterans.
• Lack of legal representation. Many veterans don’t have the resources to hire legal help. For example, social security disability insurance is an option for injured veterans, but this can often get tied up in the courts and become exceptionally difficult to get AUSA is actively involved in the legal affairs of the U.S. government, constantly fighting for the interests of veterans.

There’s never been a better time to be an AFBA member

AFBA proudly supports AUSA and its greater cause of supporting service members and their families. With your new AUSA benefits, there’s never been a better time to be an AFBA member. Together, we will continue to improve the lives of our members and their families.

 

In the military, you learn certain skills that stick with you throughout your life such as dedication, persistence, and attention to details. And that’s not even counting the specific job aptitudes you may have or learned while in the service.

A challenge veterans and their families often face when returning to civilian life is the transition to working in a non-military job. Thankfully, employers often appreciate those who have armed forces veteran status on their resumes. There are many businesses that specifically advertise to veterans and their families.

Here, we’ll go into a few of those employers that are currently looking for people from the armed forces
to work for them.

Amazon

Amazon advertises its need for employees with veteran status and even provides a helpful cheat sheet. This can tell you how the specific skills you learned in the armed forces would translate to being an effective employee. By filling out details about your service, such as which branch you served in, your rank and the number of years you were active, they’ll match you for a certain position.

The enterprise also features military recruiting teams that hold virtual hiring events. There are also apprenticeships available that can teach you how to build a career in cloud computing, which should be attractive to those with IT experience. Amazon even offers a Military SkillBridge program designed to help you transition from military life to civilian life if you’re within 180 days of leaving the service.

Capital One

Capital One claims to “value the service and sacrifice of our veterans, active military personnel and their families… accountability, collaboration, leadership and dedication make you a crucial member of our team.”

What special benefits do they have to appeal to veterans? Well, for starters, you can expect:

• Military training and active duty time off. Capital One claims that you can take up to eight weeks for training or active duty if you’re called to serve during your employment at the company. They even offer a pay differential between your company salary and military pay after you come back to work.
• Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP). As a partner of MSEP, Capital One offers advantages to the spouses of service members.
• On-leave job security. If you need to go on leave for any reason, your job will be protected for a reasonable amount of time.
• Secondary insurance in addition to your military benefits. Dental, vision, supplemental life coverage, flexible spending accounts and medical care are offered to veterans working for Capital One. If you’re on leave, these benefits persist.

Cisco

As a top leader in the telecommunications, technology and networking industries, Cisco is always looking for bright new talent, especially those who have experience with these fields.

The company offers training for those early in their military transition back to civilian life, special programs and opportunities specifically for veterans, and connects service members and their families with jobs at Cisco and Cisco partners.

With a return to civilian life comes new opportunities just for you

These are just a handful of opportunities you can pursue as you return to civilian life. There are entire resources available just to help veterans find new careers as they transition back home. Some employers are better suited than others for service members, and many are actively looking for new employees with military experience.

If you’re in the armed forces and looking for work outside the military, why not give one of these opportunities a go? You may find it satisfying and rewarding.

 

While anyone can experience Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) at some point during their lifetimes, it’s highly prevalent among veterans, first responders and active duty service members. Estimates of the rates of PTSD vary by era, but veterans who served during Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom have illness rates of about 11-20%, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

It’s not just combat that causes PTSD among veterans: 23% of women who use VA health care report having been sexually assaulted during their service, further increasing rates of PTSD among veterans.

One type of therapy, in particular, stands out as a unique and effective form of treatment for PTSD: music therapy.

What is PTSD, and why does it matter?

PTSD, once known as shell shock to describe similar symptoms among combat veterans, can be an extremely debilitating condition that can occur after a traumatic event. The disorder is a complicated psychiatric illness. Some symptoms of PTSD include, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA):

• Intrusive thoughts or dreams about the traumatic experience that happen involuntarily and cause distress. This can include episodes of feeling like the traumatic incident is recurring and acting out the event (sometimes called “flashbacks”).
• Intense psychological distress and usually avoidance of triggers that remind one of the episode.
• An inability to remember details about the incident.
• Increased arousal and reactivity.
• Feelings of detachment or estrangement from other people.
• Persistent fear, horror, anger, guilt, or shame.

Left untreated, these symptoms can worsen over time. That’s why it’s vital for sufferers of PTSD to receive intervention from a qualified professional.

Music therapy and PTSD

One form of complementary treatment to treat PTSD and other psychiatric illnesses, is music therapy. Music therapy is the use of music interventions to accomplish goals, e.g., to treat symptoms of PTSD. It can involve songwriting, or playing or listening to music.

Using music therapy to ease PTSD symptoms goes as far back as 1945 with the military’s Technical Bulletin 187, which observed how music affected the reconditioning of service members in Army hospitals.

The U.S. War Department discovered that music positively affected soldiers’ PTSD rehabilitation programs. This effect was demonstrated during physical reconditioning, occupational therapy, education, and recreation. The military followed up on this after the study was completed, attempting to further explore the possibilities of using music during therapy for recovering soldiers.

Various organizations have developed applications as a result of these studies to include programs ranging from active duty airmen improving their stress management and coping skills with music to using songwriting to treat PTSD symptoms.

Why use music therapy when traditional cognitive behavioral treatment exists?

Music therapy can be less intimidating than cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) because of one factor: stigma. Despite the ongoing efforts by mental health professionals to encourage those with psychiatric symptoms to seek counseling and psychiatric treatment, there is still a strong aversion toward seeking mental health services. According to a recent study by the World Health Organization, between 30-80% of people with psychiatric illnesses do not seek treatment.

Many see music therapy as less intimidating or stigmatizing than psychotherapy, and thus is more broadly accepted.

Music therapy is a promising treatment for PTSD among service members

Since its initial success during World War II to treat symptoms of PTSD and promote recovery, associations such as the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) have helped develop its use to treat psychiatric illnesses such as PTSD.

There’s a long way to go until any PTSD treatment is perfected and universally helpful for sufferers of its symptoms, but music therapy is helping lead the way as a promising source of hope.

 

“The voluntary blood donor truly gives life itself.” This is what President Richard Nixon proclaimed when he decided to officially dedicate a month to the heroes who selflessly offer a part of themselves so that others may live.

According to America’s Blood Centers, Blood transfusions in the U.S. happen about once every two seconds, and a single blood donation has the capacity to save several lives. A quarter of all blood donations go to patients suffering from cancer, and a third of African-American blood donors are compatible with individuals who have sickle cell disease.

In short, blood is a vital commodity in hospitals across the world, and its life-saving qualities are necessary for many to recover from potentially fatal conditions.

What is National Blood Donor Month?

On December 31, 1969, President Nixon declared the first National Blood Donor Month to be January of the following year. The intent was to honor voluntary blood donors and inspire others to become new ones.

Choosing the winter season to encourage donations was no accident: Blood is in short supply during the winter months, as worsening weather conditions and tight holiday schedules limit the amount of blood hospitals receive.

How do you participate in National Blood Donor Month?

The best way to honor voluntary blood donors is to become a donor yourself. Despite the ongoing need for blood (one in three people will need a transfusion at some point during their lifetime, according to OneBlood), only 3% of Americans give blood each year. With winter being notable for its drop in blood donations, there’s no better time to do your part.

Donating blood is a virtually painless process, and you can safely give to blood banks up to six times each year. Of course, you don’t have to donate any more than you’re comfortable with — even one contribution is an exceptionally honorable and potentially life-saving act.

There are very few limitations to giving blood. You can be as young as 16 years old (with parental consent) to donate, and there’s no upper age limit. Don’t donate if you have an acute infection or are taking blood thinners. Some illnesses may bar you from giving blood. If you’re thinking of contributing, check out this checklist provided by the American Red Cross to ensure you qualify.

Donating at an authorized location is necessary. The AABB offers a tool that can help you find a viable blood donation site online. Blood drives happen frequently throughout the country, so look for one that’s convenient for you.

Health benefits come with donating

Before every donation, you’ll receive a wellness check to ensure you’re in good shape — so why not take advantage of the free checkup? This wellness check looks at:

• Cholesterol levels
• Iron count
• Body temperature
• Pulse rate
• Blood pressure level

It’s not uncommon for donors to discover that they have a medical condition warranting follow-up with a doctor. The results of these screenings can vary frequently throughout your lifetime, so a wellness check as part of your blood donation is a cost-free way to monitor your health.

Save a life this winter, and throughout the year

The need for blood donations doesn’t wane with the seasons, but the supply of blood does. That makes National Blood Donor Month one of the most important times to become a donor. Not only can you help others this way, but you can also help yourself thanks to the added health benefits included with donating.

Blood is a substance that can’t be manufactured by artificial means. It comes from one place and one place only: the hearts of men and women just like you.

 

Honoring veterans is an activity that holds important value year-round. Some days, however, are specifically for commemorating their efforts. National Wreaths Across America Day, which takes place on the third Saturday of December every year (Dec. 17 in 2022), is a time during which wreath-laying ceremonies are held at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as at nearly 3,400 other locations in the U.S., at sea, and abroad.

The history of Wreaths Across America Day

In 1992 at the Worcester Wreath Company, Karen and Morrill Worcester of Harrington, Maine realized they had 5,000 extra wreaths that had yet to find homes. The two had the idea to use them to honor veterans at Arlington National Cemetery and contacted their senator. In 2008, Congress unanimously passed legislation creating a day to perform this honor every year.

Initially, the service was local to Arlington, Texas but in 2011 the Wreaths Across America (WAA) organization broadened its scope to include 750 cemeteries and battlefields across the U.S., with thousands more to come.

How to observe the day

Both living and fallen veterans are honored during Wreaths Across America Day. While there are many locations recognized by WAA, you can become a location coordinator for a new cemetery if none of these places work for you.

Here’s how to commemorate the day:

• Sponsor or lay a wreath yourself. If you contact a WAA location coordinator, they can direct you to a location where a wreath-laying ceremony will take place. You can either sponsor a wreath or lay one yourself.
• Sponsor a dog tag. If you prefer, you can choose to sponsor a dog tag with a veteran’s name printed on it. The WAA will create one for you and you can lay it on a gravestone.
• Share your experience with social media. Spread the word about Wreaths Across America Day by sharing your feelings on your social platform of choice.

There are some facts to keep in mind this Wreaths Across America Day. Notably, each year carries a different theme — this year’s is “Be Their Witness.” Inspired by Iraq War veteran and Marine Michael Strobl, the concept is focused on remembering and telling the stories of veterans. Strobl’s tale is noteworthy because of his exemplary valor: After the war was over, he escorted the body of one of his comrades back to the Marine’s hometown in Wyoming.

Teach children the value of freedom

A core aspect of Wreaths Across America Day is educating and inspiring young people on what freedom is and why it’s vital. Both living and fallen generations of veterans served to protect your freedoms, and this must never be forgotten. This means honoring service members whenever you can and paying special attention to days of remembrance and recognition.

Not all fallen veterans are able to be found or identified. Yet, these soldiers deserve just as much attention as those who are known — and wreaths can be dedicated to them, as well. That’s why the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier exists at Arlington National Cemetery. This special place currently contains the remains of three unknown fallen service members who represent all unidentified soldiers.

Lay or sponsor a wreath or dog tag this Wreaths Across America Day

However you choose to commemorate Wreaths Across America Day, always remember why this day — as well as all days specifically made to honor veterans — exists: Because service members give their heart and soul — and sometimes their lives — into preserving freedom and the American way of life. There can be no freedom without sacrifice, and that’s why it’s vital to commemorate the tireless efforts of veterans, whom all serve with a singular purpose: to bring you liberty.