Honoring Veterans and Military Families: A Season of Gratitude

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In this Journey: This Veterans Day, take a moment to reflect on the sacrifices of those who serve and their families. Discover heartfelt ways to show gratitude and keep the spirit of thankfulness alive.

Take a virtual or in-person tour of Washington, D.C.’s most inspiring military memorials — from the World War II Memorial to the Vietnam and Korean War Veterans Memorials — and discover the stories that honor America’s heroes.

This November, during Caregiver Awareness Month, we pay tribute to military families who care for loved ones with autism and disabilities while serving our nation with strength, resilience, and love.

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🌟A Season of Gratitude and Honor

With fall in full bloom, November brings not only crisp air and cozy moments but also hearts filled with gratitude. Many people start a gratitude journal this time of year, capturing small moments of joy leading up to Thanksgiving.

As we approach Veterans Day, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the heroes among us — and the families who stand beside them. Do you have a loved one currently serving in the military? Someone who has been deployed or once fought in a war? Perhaps a family member who gave their life for the freedoms we enjoy?

Today, my heart overflows with gratitude for all of them — for every veteran, active-duty service member, and the loved ones who support them from home. Their courage, sacrifice, and resilience remind us what true service looks like.

Many heroes go unseen — those living with PTSD, and families carrying the quiet weight of separation and worry. This month, may we take a moment to honor their strength, thank them for their service, and teach our children why this day matters.

Some holidays pass by with little reflection, but Veterans Day deserves our pause. Let’s remember why we celebrate it, share its meaning with someone new, and find a simple way to give thanks — whether through a note, a conversation, or a moment of silent appreciation.

This year, our family will be celebrating in a special way. On Monday, November 10th, we’ll host an evening with my brother-in-law, who will share a presentation about his experiences in Vietnam — a night to honor him and all who served. We’ll also celebrate the 250th Birthday of the U.S. Marine Corps, a remarkable milestone of courage and tradition.

And on November 11th, as we honor our nation’s veterans, my heart celebrates one of my personal heroes, who happens to share his birthday with this meaningful day. It’s a beautiful reminder that gratitude often begins with our loved ones, and the people who inspire us most.

💬 This week, take a moment to thank a veteran or military family — and share your gratitude story with our community using #TheAutismPassportGratitude and #ThankAVeteran.
Together, we can fill November with messages of honor, hope, and heartfelt appreciation.

✈️ Honoring Heroes Through Washington, D.C.’s Memorials

In honor of Veterans Day, I’d love to take you on a tour of some of the most beautiful and meaningful memorials we visited in Washington, D.C. Whether you’ve walked these paths before, plan to go one day, or simply wish to experience them from afar, these sites inspire a deep sense of awe and reflection.

I remember standing at the massive oval plaza of the World War II Memorial, surrounded by tall stone pillars representing unity among the states and territories. As I gazed across the fountain, I thought about how peace can emerge from shared sacrifice and how the generations that served then continue to inspire us today.

Then, standing before what seemed like a never-ending wall of names at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, I felt the weight of each story — each name representing a hero, a family, and a sacrifice never forgotten.

At the Korean War Veterans Memorial, the life-size statues of soldiers in motion stopped me in my tracks. As I walked among them, I felt goosebumps. The realism of their expressions, their gear, and their posture made it all so vivid — a haunting reminder of the courage and hardship each one faced.

As we visited each memorial, my sense of gratitude deepened. These spaces are more than monuments — they are lessons in resilience, unity, and remembrance.

If you ever have the chance to visit Washington, D.C., or want to explore these sacred places virtually, here are some meaningful sites to include in your itinerary:

• World War II Memorial – “Honors the service of 16 million members of the Armed Forces and the support of millions more on the Homefront.”

• Vietnam Veterans Memorial – “Chronologically lists the names of 58,318 Americans who gave their lives in service to their country.”

• Korean War Veterans Memorial – “Our nation honors her sons and daughters who answered the call to defend a country they never knew and a people they never met.”

• National World War I Memorial – Honors the 4.7 million Americans who served with valor, courage, and sacrifice during the Great War.

Other meaningful memorials worth visiting nearby:

• Marine Corps War Memorial

• Navy Memorial

• Air Force Memorial

• Grand Army of the Republic Memorial

• Coast Guard Memorial

Whether you visit in person or explore from home, these memorials remind us that freedom has a story — and gratitude keeps it alive.

💬 If you’ve visited any of these memorials, share your favorite memory or reflection on social media using #TheAutismPassportGratitude and #ThankAVeteran.
Your story might inspire someone else to pause, remember, and honor those who served.

💞 Honoring Military Caregivers — Serving Twice with Love

Since this month’s Autism Passport focuses on Veterans Day and honoring military families, I can’t help but think about the incredible caregivers who serve both their families and our country.

I know firsthand how challenging it can be to move to another country — learning a new language, navigating transportation, figuring out grocery shopping, and adjusting to daily routines. I’ve only done it twice, and it was a huge task. Now imagine doing all that while caring for a loved one with autism or other disabilities.

Military families often face deployments where one parent must manage everything alone, or they relocate together, constantly rebuilding routines and finding new support systems. I often wonder — how do they help their loved ones adjust to unfamiliar environments, new schedules, and social challenges? How do they find specialized care in a new community each time they move?

This month is Caregiver Awareness Month, and my deepest respect goes to these remarkable families. On top of serving our nation, they wake up each day ready to serve their loved ones with unwavering patience, creativity, and love. Their strength is a quiet, daily act of heroism.

Sometimes caregiving means supporting a child with autism. Sometimes it means caring for a veteran who returned home with disabilities as a result of their service. In every case, these caregivers carry an incredible load — emotionally, physically, and mentally.

I’ve read comments from parents, siblings, and grandparents who say, “I don’t think I can do it one more day.” Yet they do. They show up, again and again, with compassion and courage that truly inspire.

Many military caregivers rely on their communities, peer support groups, and faith. Their resilience reminds us what it means to serve — not just in uniform, but through love.

If you are a military caregiver, thank you. You are the heartbeat of strength and compassion in your family. If you know someone who is, reach out this month and tell them how much their quiet service matters. If you know a family who one of the parents is deployed, what can you do to help ease their burden? Even a thank you card will go a long way.

💬 Do you have tips or stories about caring for a loved one with autism while serving in the military? I’d love to hear from you — so we can share your wisdom and encouragement with others in our community.
Share your stories or gratitude using #TheAutismPassportGratitude and #MilitaryCaregiversServe.

Helpful Resources for Military Caregivers:

• Autism Speaks – Autism & Military Support

• Operation Autism

• Military OneSource – EFMP & Special Needs Support

• My Army Benefits – Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP)

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