This Veterans Day will be a time you can really use to honor those who have served in the armed forces during times of war. Certainly going into service is a duty and can be a heavy weight to bear under stress. Many of those celebrated on this day each year have been in war and have seen what it can do, so they’re memories and experiences serve as valuable reminders and reasons why we should all be aware of their sacrifices.

How can you appropriately honor this effort put forth during war? Most veterans will say you can honor them by remembering, spending time during this day with them or going to one of the many memorials around the country. You can easily pick up some flowers or go and freshen up a gravesite. Even if you go to a site commemorating one of the wars long past you’ll be celebrating this Veterans Day appropriately.

If you have living relatives who are veterans surprise them with a party in their honor. Create a guest list with all their pals and relatives on it and hold the party in a large outdoor area so everyone can enjoy the air. Those with large numbers of guests coming to their parties can turn it into a potluck and tell guests to bring samplings of their own favorite foods to give all a chance to try new things. You’ll be able to provide paper supplies themed after Veterans Day that feature the nation’s flag or a view of the armed forces. You may need lots of cups and plates for the affair because guests tend to throw them out after one use.

However you choose to celebrate this special day, the most important element is taking a little time to remember what it’s all about.