There are many ways to take time on Veteran’s Day to honor the sacrifices made by American men and women of all colors, creeds, and ethnic backgrounds. In so many ways, the individuals who have given so much of themselves, in some cases making the ultimate sacrifice, represent what is unique about America’s contribution to the humanity. When men and women don the uniform to place themselves between the evildoers of the world and innocent people in foreign lands whose misfortune began only with being born between the wrong lines on a map, this symbolizes the ultimate gift America bestows upon any who wish to accept it.

For those in the Greater Seattle area looking for ways to get more in touch with the meaning of Veteran’s Day, there are several options.

Visit the newly unveiled Medal of Honor memorial on the beautiful Seattle campus of the University of Washington. The memorial honors the eight UW alumni who have received the highest military honor that can be bestowed upon an individual and was formally dedicated in a ceremony Wednesday morning that was attended by Rep. Dave Reichert and at which fellow UW alum and Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Peter W. Chiarelli spoke.

The memorial is installed in the roundabout where Memorial Way (the road entering the campus through the northern gate) lands in front of Parrington Hall. Lining Memorial Way are 58 sycamore trees planted to honor UW faculty and students who died in World War I, making a visit to this place a way to remember our local sacrifices.

Make a donation to the USO. Although the popular impression of the USO is of an entertainment organization, brining smiles to the troops, their work extends beyond that very worthwhile service.

Watch television. Local public broadcaster KCTS 9 is offering a full slate of prime-time programming to commemorate this important day. The line-up begins at 7:00 p.m. with a musical tribute to American veterans featuring Michael Feinstein and Irish tenor Ronan Tynan in front of the powerful United States Air Force Band, and accompanied by the Singing Sergeants chorus. At 8:00 p.m. is Secrets of the Dead, a program that tells the story of a US air crew in World War II who are forced to bailout over Japanese-occupied Borneo and how are taken in by an indigenous tribe who assist them in evading capture. Two more Veteran’s Day-themed programs will keep you busy until bedtime.

Remember those who may have been forgotten. Since 1927, the Evergreen-Washelli cemetery (11111 Aurora Ave. North, Seattle, WA) has had a goal of creating “The Arlington of the West” in its Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery. Although the caretakers do a fantastic job of placing flags on the thousands of graves of fallen soldiers and their spouses, there is always room for carnations placed in honor on the resting places of many unattended souls. The site also features a number of historical artifacts, including a pair of cannonade from the USS Constitution that became famous as “Old Ironsides” during the War of 1812.

First and foremost, take the time if you see a man or woman in uniform to thank them for their service. The work they do should never be taken for granted.

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