This Veterans Day meant more to me than just collecting handmade “Thank You for Your Service” cards from my Girl Scouts. Delivering them to the local Carmel Clay Military Museum to honor our heroes for their dedication and service filled my heart with pride and gratitude.
Through Community First Bank, I had the privilege of spending the day with my co-workers serving local veterans – raking leaves, cleaning gutters, trimming landscaping, helping make their homes winter-ready and sharing free warm lunches. Despite the cold and wet Indiana weather, our hearts were warm with purpose and pride.
At one veteran’s home, their family welcomed us with steaming mugs of hot chocolate and slices of banana and pineapple loaf cake. That simple, heartfelt moment – cold hands wrapped around a warm mug – became the perfect reminder of what no-veneer gratitude looks like: genuine, humble, and human.
Photo provided by Pooja Thakkar
Photo provided by Pooja Thakkar
To me, Veterans Day is more than a single date on the calendar. It’s about appreciating our heroes every day – not just those in uniform, but the quiet heroes among us who love unconditionally and give without expecting anything in return.
I also heard a story that touched me deeply – a veteran at a restaurant quietly asked to use his discount card. The waiter hesitated, unsure what to do. A nearby customer noticed and signaled that he would take care of the veteran’s bill – no spotlight, no words, just silent gratitude in action. That’s no-veneer appreciation – pure, unseen, and deeply meaningful.
And when I came home that evening, my daughter ran to me, singing “American Heart.” Her little raspy voice filled our home with warmth and pride, reminding me that patriotism begins not in grand gestures, but in the simple acts of love and gratitude we pass forward.
Photo provided by Pooja Thakkar
So this No-Veneer November, I raise my mug full of gratitude to our veterans, our neighbors, and everyone who serves with heart – protecting our freedom and inspiring us to use it for good.
Let’s keep gratitude real – simple, sincere, and shared – every single day.
Pooja Thakkar is working to build connections through cuisine. You can read her column each week in the pages of The Reporter.
Photo provided by Pooja Thakkar