November is National Alzheimer’s Awareness Month and Military Family Appreciation Month. In the United States there are also two Federal holidays during November: Veterans Day (November 11th) and Thanksgiving Day (November 28th). This makes it a perfect month to focus on capturing memories and stories from members of your own family.
On the heels of Veterans Day, consider ways to honor veterans at your next reunion. To prepare for this activity, interview and record a veteran about his or her experiences. Ask for photographs, enlistment or discharge papers, diaries, or letters. With the Vivid-Pix Memory Station https://www.vivid-pix.com/memorystation, you can scan photographs and documents and record stories to create a shareable movie. View the movie I created about my father, John Alzo at https://vimeo.com/964958266. For tips on having some meaningful conversations, see “Ten Ideas to Get Veterans to Discuss the War” at https://reunionsmag.com/ten-ideas-to-get-veterans-to-discuss-the-war. If you do not have anyone to interview, you can still research an ancestor’s service. For some guidance, see https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/research-veteran.
Sharing memories at Thanksgiving is a beautiful way to strengthen bonds, honor family traditions, and reflect on the things you’re most grateful for. By creating a welcoming space, encouraging storytelling, and focusing on positive, inclusive conversations, you can make this Thanksgiving one that’s filled with connection, laughter, and lasting memories.
Finally, if you know someone who is living with dementia, consider how Photo Reminiscence Therapy (pRT) can foster reminiscences and decrease social isolation, especially during the holidays. Learn more about the benefits of pRT at https://www.vivid-pix.com/reminisce.
Watch for the December 1 issue of Reunions Magazine for more holiday memory-sharing tips.
