I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for BAND-AID® Brand. I received product samples to facilitate my review as well as a promotional item to thank me for my participation.

My Grandpap was the ultimate “military man” — you know, the kind that’s defined as a soldier/airman/sailor/etc.  He served in the Marines for a while and then was a navigator in the Air Force.  My Granddad served in the Navy — as did several of my brothers-in-law.  My daddy was an artilleryman in the Army.  No one in my immediate family is currently in the military, but I have an immeasurable respect and appreciation for those who are (and their families — I know you make lots of sacrifices, too).

What does that have to do with BAND-AID® Brand?

As Veterans Day approaches, I’m honored to partner with OUR VETERAN HEROES™ BAND-AID® Brand in honoring and thanking our veterans.  Did you know that BAND-AID® Brand has been involved with the U.S. Armed Forces since WWII, when they provided first-aid supplies?!  (I’m not even sure I knew BAND-AID® bandages had been around that long!)  Our veterans need more from us, though, than physical first aid, and BAND-AID^® Brand is now doing more than simply providing bandages — and you can, too.

Team Red, White, & Blue

BAND-AID^® Brand has partnered with Team Red, White & Blue “to help enrich the lives of America’s veterans by connecting them to their communities through physical and social activities.”  That sounds a little vague!  What Team Red, White, & Blue does is help connect veterans to their new communities (because they often aren’t where they “grew up”), using physical activities, in particular, as the catalyst.   This partnership between brand and organization is happening in a few different ways.

1. BAND-AID^® Brand recently launched OUR VETERAN HEROES™ BAND-AID^® Brand Adhesive Bandages, featuring patriotic and military-inspired designs.  These are available at Walmart, Target, and the “big three” drugstore chains — Walgreens, CVS, and Rite Aid — and 5% of the sale price of each box will be donated to Team Red, White, & Blue.My kids are enjoying these bandages.  You can see a couple of the camouflage ones at work in my photos.  My youngest daughter currently has a shark on her forearm.  There are stars and stripes, too, although none of those seems to have been plucked out of our box yet.
2. During an upcoming relay (more on that in a moment), BAND-AID^® Brand will donate an additional $1 for every consumer message encouraging Relay runners and thanking veterans, up to $25,000.This is where you can get involved!  Share your message at the BAND-AID® Brand website, or via Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
3. The relay!  BAND-AID^® Brand is the presenting sponsor of the Team Red, White & Blue Old Glory Coast to Coast Relay.  Through November 9th, runners are carrying an American flag 3,800 miles across the country to raise awareness (and funds) in support of veteran communities.

So here are the ways you can help:

• Buy OUR VETERAN HEROES™ BAND-AID^® Brand Adhesive Bandages.  We all need adhesive bandages around the house anyway, so you might as well make them these.  They’re fun; the kids like them, and you’re helping those who help us, too.
• Share your message of support/appreciation on the sites mentioned above, and multiply your words with BAND-AID^® Brand’s donation.  Use hashtag #RunWithGlory
• Get involved/show your appreciation on your own, in other ways.  Help your children pack care packages to send to soldiers.  Send cards of appreciation.  Thank service members when you see them.  Teach your children proper flag etiquette.  (It’s sad how many young people don’t know these things anymore.  But this same sense of honor is what drives our veterans.  Respect for the flag, patriotism for country, honor of veterans — it’s all closely tied together.)
• Take part in community activities.  To be honest, I’m never really sure what to do for Veterans Day.  I want my children to see it as important, but we don’t typically have Veterans Day “celebrations” like we do for many other holidays.  My daughters did recently have an opportunity, with their choirs, to be part of an event at our local POW/MIA memorial, and it was a beautiful ceremony.  I’d like to do more.  Which brings me to the last thing…
• Share your ideas in the comments.  How do you support, thank, or show respect/appreciation for veterans?  How do you honor veterans on Veterans Day?  How do you get your children involved and/or pass on to them a sense of deep gratitude for the sacrifices others make for them?  Please share your ideas so the rest of us can learn from them!

If you are a current or former service member, please accept my deepest thanks.  Those are not empty words.  Inadequate, but not empty.  If you are a military spouse, please accept my deepest thanks for “sharing” your husband or wife.  I know that you, too make sacrifices.  In some ways, it is harder to be the one left at home and your sacrifice does not go unnoticed.  And if you or your children’s other parent is a service member, please tell your child(ren) I said thank you.  I think that often our children’s sacrifice is overlooked, but it’s hard for them, too: the moving, the missing Daddy/Mama, the worry… Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, to all of you in our military families.