Gratitude lands best when it’s specific, personal, and consistent. We open with a heartfelt salute from our host, an Air Force veteran, and move straight into practical ways to turn appreciation into action. Letters, postcards, and quick texts are the easy wins. Sharing a coffee and listening—really listening—to a veteran’s story builds trust without asking anyone to relive more than they want to share. Along the way, we map out how to help with everyday tasks, from rides and yard work to navigating forms that weigh on busy families.
Community steps make those personal gestures go further. We highlight where to volunteer, how to donate wisely to organizations like the USO and Wounded Warrior Project, and why school Q&As can teach the next generation about responsibility, sacrifice, and service without glorifying conflict. Economic support is front and center too: about 5.7% of U.S. businesses are veteran-owned, and choosing them strengthens neighborhoods while honoring service in a tangible way. Veterans also get a reminder to bring a military ID, DD-214, or veteran designation to access Veterans Day discounts and other perks.
History and recognition frame the conversation. November 11 marks the World War I armistice and a yearly moment to pause, raise the flag, and reflect. We also spotlight June 12, National Women Veterans Day, correcting a long record of overlooked contributions from women who have served from the Revolutionary War to today. The message is steady and clear: gratitude shouldn’t be confined to a calendar date—make it a habit. If you’re moved to act, send a note, support a veteran-owned business, volunteer an afternoon, or invite a veteran to speak at your school. Subscribe for more practical, human stories, share this episode with someone who cares, and leave a quick review to help others find us.
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Episode Transcript
Happy Veterans Day.
Hello, I hope everyone is well.
I am thrilled to give a tributeto the veterans.
I am a United States Air ForceVeteran and proud of it.
The United States consists ofthe Army, Navy, the Air Force,
Marines, Reserves, and the CoastGuard.
(00:21):
I am your host, Wondra, and Ilove to share this topic with
you.
And I definitely love to see mybrothers and sisters of the
past, the present, and somefuture ones that I talk to.
It is a tremendous honor.
It is a lot to serve.
If you notice or you've seen aveteran, consider writing them a
(00:45):
letter, a postcard, and expressthe gratitude for their service
on Veterans Day.
You can send email me atsupport at wondraspenser.com.
You can send letters andemails, and I will share them at
upcoming episodes.
If you don't know a veteranpersonally, you can consider
(01:08):
contacting your nearest militaryinstallation and share a
heartfelt message with them.
Or you can even do itanonymously and spread a little
gratitude for their service, andit can definitely brighten
their day.
So ways to honor our veteranswith heartfelt gratitude.
(01:28):
So near and dearest to us isVeterans Day.
It is about the sacrifices thatthe military have served and
still are serving.
As a proud veteran, I feeldeeply honored to take this
opportunity to take to paytribute to the brave men and
(01:50):
women in uniform who havededicated their lives to
protecting our freedom.
The importance of appreciation,every year on November 11, we
acknowledge the end of the warto end all wars and a date that
serves a reminder of sacrificesmade by the veterans throughout
(02:13):
history.
But appreciation should not beconfined to just one day, it
should be daily in our lives.
If you know a veteran, you cansend them a quick phone call, a
text message.
It can definitely brightentheir day, reinforce it, and
share what it means to you.
(02:34):
So if you're looking to honor aveteran, send them a personal
letter, a care package, maybe ahandwritten letter.
If you know them, you can sendthem their favorite snacks,
treat a veteran to a meal,sharing meals with the veteran
can be meaningful.
You can just have aconversation with them, say
(02:56):
thank you for your service,listen to their stories, and ask
them about their experiences,and they can share their story.
If you can, you can help out intheir homes, such as doing
chores, you can make asignificant appreciation for
them, volunteer within yourlocal organization, support
(03:19):
veterans, and your time andskills can be inconsiderably
impactful.
You can donate to the veteranorganizations a small
contribution such as the WoundedWarrior Project or the USO.
You can support veteran-ownedbusinesses in your area, and
(03:40):
this can really boost theeconomy and definitely honor
their service.
And you can attend localveterans' day events such as
parades.
You can invite them to sharetheir story, speak at a school,
and educate the next generationregarding sacrifice and service.
(04:02):
And you can fly your favoriteflag for you, the Air Force, the
Army.
It can be the Navy and theMarines, too.
It can be a day of remembrance,show your respect, appreciate,
appreciation, and you can take amoment of silence and
reflection for the veterans andthe ones who are not here with
(04:26):
us.
So let's take this day toexpress the gratitude, which is
meaningful throughout the year.
Every effort counts, whetheryou have a personal connection,
you're in your community, whichcan help, or you just really
want to honor that veteran,which will be awesome.
(04:49):
So say thank you if you know aveteran.
You can write them a letter,simply just say thank you, which
can brighten their day, send acare package to them, treat them
to a meal, it's just a cup ofcoffee, listen to their stories,
help out with the householdchores, such as a spare hour,
(05:13):
vacuuming during the laundry,maybe mooring the lawns, which
would be helpful.
Just speak up to them and youknow offer your service, your
gratitude, and alsovolunteering locally.
You can look for the localhospitals, charities,
(05:34):
organizations.
That time can be verymeaningful.
So donation, if you have asmall or large donation, you can
definitely give back.
And at the schools, someschools offer different
experiences, Q & A sessions,which is your your question and
(05:55):
answer, and it can be aboutcuriosity.
So, do you know about 5.7percent of the United States
businesses are veteran-owned?
So you can seek out thesebusinesses and support them, not
only your local community,definitely all throughout the
(06:16):
world, and really think aboutattending the local veteran
parade, which would be awesometo show your kids and take your
family members, and it can be away to honor the different
veterans, and you can rememberwith heartfelt gestures, share
(06:41):
stories, do a hashtag thank youveterans,, which can be done
anytime.
So, with 9-11, 1918, which isthe end of the war to all wars,
veteran day continues to beobserved on 9-11, regardless of
(07:03):
what day of the week it fallson.
It can be historic day, focusthe attention on the veterans, a
celebration to honor Americans'veterans for the love of the
country, the patriotism, thewillingness to serve, and the
sacrifice for the commongood. the honor of serving is
(07:26):
very fantastic, a chance to havea diverse group of individuals,
it can be like a melting pot.
I was a young girl from theAlabama area, really culturally
shocked, and I loved it.
The military will ensure thatyou grow up quickly and you have
(07:48):
the responsibility.
If you don't know, veteranshave a ton of discounts with the
restaurants, car washes,department stores, and more.
Veterans, if you don't know,you can have your military ID,
your DD 214, if you're inuniform or you have your veteran
destination ID.
(08:09):
Should check your local areas,get all your goodies, all
everything that is allowed toyou.
And remember, on 9 on November11th, you can limit your cooking
at home, eat for free, and getto those discounted places.
(08:30):
And did you know on June 12this National Women's Veterans
Day.
It's a special day that shinesa light on the service and the
sacrifices of women veterans.
Awesome.
From the Revolutionary War tothe present day, women have been
part of the United Statesmilitary, yet their
(08:50):
contributions have beenoverlooked or undervalued.
Thanks again to the Army, Navy,Air Force, Marines, and the
Coast Guard veterans for yourservice.
And it's a pleasure servingwith you.
I would love to hear yourstories.
If you have any thoughts abouthonoring veterans, please send
reflections to my email atsupport at wondraspencer.com.
(09:14):
Together we can ensure veteransknow they are valued and
remember beyond the VeteransDay.
In conclusion, you got thismotivation from within, the
inspire and drive store.
You can subscribe on my YouTubechannel with this podcast,
Motivation al Fuel.
(09:36):
Get a cup of coffee for yourmilitary bun buddies and your
friends, and you can send it tothem.
You can also follow me onFacebook, Instagram, TikTok, X
LinkedIn, alignable at WondraSpencer.
I love to hear from you.
(09:56):
And we will have some upcomingpodcasts for this year.
I know we talked about theveterans, so the next one is go
for a ride.
Test drive your dream car.
Until next time, have a greatday.
Bye bye.
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