This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of The Folger Coffee Company. The opinions and text are all mine.
Honoring our Veterans has always been important to me. My parents instilled this in me as a young child and I’m passing it onto my son. I want my son to know we should never lose sight of what Veterans have done for us. They are willing to give their lives for our country… to serve our country.
I’ve had family members and friends who served in the armed forces over the years. Great uncles, cousins, and one of my best friends from high school served two terms in the Air Force. And my sister-in-law retired from the Navy. All of these Veterans have one thing in common, they are all selfless.
My son did a speech for Veterans Day last year for his speech class and decided to do it on his aunt, my sister-in-law, Barbara, who served 20 years in the Navy and then in the reserves after retiring.
He interviewed her and the one thing that he said stood out to him was the pride that emanated from her. He was also impressed that she told him that she would do it all over again.
This is a sentiment I hear echoed from Veterans often. They would all do it over again, without hesitation.
In fact, Barbara’s only child also enlisted in the Navy and just finished serving four years of active duty last year… carrying on the tradition.
Saying Thank You
Showing our respect and thanking a Vet is a great way to honor our Veterans, but we can do even more. I want to do something special for my sister-in-law, not only to “say” thank you but to give her a little of my time, listen to her stories, and show her how much I appreciate her. One of the best ways to do this is over coffee.
I stopped by Walmart to purchase Folgers coffee. I picked up Folgers Black Silk and Folgers Hazelnut Cream K-cups, the Black Silk to share with her while we talk and the Hazelnut as a gift. Besides, you can’t go wrong gifting coffee to a coffee lover.
Sharing a cup (or two) of coffee and a meaningful conversation is the perfect way to spend time with a Veteran.
I can’t wait to get together with her over coffee and listen to the great memories she has of her time spent in the Navy. I know that she made several good friends while in the Navy that she still remains friends with today and I would love to hear more about her experiences serving in the Navy.
With Veterans Day coming up on November 11th we are reminded more than any other day to thank our Veterans, but we can and should, thank them every day. We can also let our actions speak for us by sharing a cup of coffee with a Vet — it is an excellent way to show our gratitude.
Share a Cup & a Story
When you share a cup of coffee with someone it provides a warm and intimate setting. You are giving someone your full attention. Although you can have a conversation with a Veteran anytime, having that conversation over a cup of coffee makes the conversation even better.
Check out this video from the Pruitt family — be warned, you may want to have tissues handy.
Folgers and Walmart are inspiring me to go beyond the customary “thank you” by engaging Veterans in our local communities and encouraging meaningful moments that bring people together — Share a Cup & a Story. There’s no better way of doing this than over a cup of coffee.
I have one final way I will be saying thanks to not only my sister-in-law, but all veterans… I will be exercising my right to vote by voting on Election Day.
Will you share a cup and a story with a Veteran this Veterans Day?
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