One of the most tumultuous moments in our country’s history is the Second World War. With the whole world involved and the United States of America as one of the major players, we saw many lives lost while fighting for our country. There are countless men and women who fought in World War 2, and there are only a handful of them surviving today.
This is why we need to recognize our WW2 vets and appreciate their contribution to the freedom we enjoy today. We rarely encounter and interact with these vets nowadays, but in the off chance we meet them, there are several ways we can honor them.
WW2 Storytelling
One of the things we can for our vets is to give them an opportunity to tell their story. Most of them may be weak and delicate, but one thing is for sure: they have a lot of stories to tell. When we meet them, the best we can do is to listen to their stories when they want to tell us. Let’s give them an eager audience so that they can share their experiences, be it good or bad, and provide a positive feedback to whatever they say. With dwindling number of friends and limited mobility, our veterans rarely get the opportunity to tell the story. That’s why when they talk, we should listen.
Continued Respect for their Service
If you don’t know how many WW2 veterans are still alive, there are roughly less than 500,000 of them today. Considering that around 16 million of them served in the war, there’s barely 3% left of them today. The World War 2 veterans may be old now, but they were once strong men, who gave their all to protect and fight for the country. The respect you would give to an active military personnel should be the same to a WW2 veteran. They’ve sacrificed a lot for the country back in their days, so the last thing they need is to be disrespected by today’s youth.
Be Supportive and Non-Judgmental
Remember, our WW2 vets lived in a different time, from a different upbringing, and with a different social makeup. Whatever their beliefs are right now are from the time they grew up and grew old in. It is best not to judge them for their beliefs, instead, be more understanding and open-minded, knowing that they lived in a very different and difficult time. Be sincere, caring, compassionate, and able to listen to whatever they have to say. Instead of contradicting their opinions, just listen to what they have to say and let them be. Always greet them not only on holidays dedicated to them, but also for Father’s Day, birthdays, and more.
Some Open Up Slower than Others
There are veterans that would share their story the moment they’re left alone with you. These are easy to be with, as they tend to be more talkative and would often initiate a conversation. On the other hand, there are veterans who take time to share their stories. Just be patient with them and show that you’re genuinely interested in their stories.
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