Protecting and Connecting Military Families

Each year on November 11, Americans celebrate Veterans Day. This National holiday was designed to honor members of the Armed Forces and the special contribution they have given to the country.

Whether you’re in the military now, part of a military family, or just want to know more about Veterans Day, read on to find out what Veterans Day is all about and how you can support veterans.

History of Veterans Day

Veterans Day was signed as a Federal holiday in 1919 by President Woodrow Wilson. Originally, it was called Armistice Day, and it was designed to mark the anniversary of the ending of World War I and celebrate those who served in that war.

The date November 11 has significance as well. On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, the Armistice with Germany was signed, effectively ending the first world war. This is why the holiday is held on November 11 each year.

However, many members of the military felt that referring to the holiday as Armistice Day was too limiting, since it focused on those who served in World War I. In 1954, President Eisenhower amended the name, officially changing it from Armistice Day to Veterans Day.

How to celebrate Veterans Day

Even if you’re not a veteran or member of a military family, there are many things you can do to celebrate Veterans Day and show your appreciation to veterans and service members.

A few things you can do for Veterans Day include:

• Attend a local Veterans Day parade or event that honors local veterans and service members. Your presence is a great way to show your appreciation and support. It’s also a great way to teach kids about Veterans Day.
• Support veteran-owned businesses. This list of veteran-owned businesses by state is a great way to find services and businesses in your area.
• Volunteer at a VA hospital, or contact one and ask what other opportunities exist for providing support.
• Fly a flag outside your home. (Be sure to follow guidelines on flying the American flag correctly.)
• Write a letter or card of support and appreciation to a veteran you know. If you have a relative who is a veteran, this is a great activity for families as well.
• Interview a parent, grandparent, aunt, or uncle who is a veteran and ask them to share memorable experiences. Type up the interview and share it with them. This is also a good way to help record and preserve family history.

These are just a few things you can do to show your appreciation and support.

Military Families Today

While many of us turn our attention on our country’s veterans on Veterans Day, for military families it’s not just a day, but a way of life.

Military families are in a unique position, with specific concerns and challenges that come with a family member in the service. In addition to moving an average of every 2-3 years, active-duty members of the military are often separated from their homes and families. These deployments range in length of time and can be as short as a few weeks long or as long as a year or more.

Whether dealing with a deployment or move to a new location, military families want to be able to stay connected to their loved ones while having the peace of mind that their homes are protected while they’re away.

Vivint is proud to help protect military families and keep them connected to each other with smart home security and automation.

Protecting Military Families

Here are a few of the ways Vivint helps protect military families:

Security sensors

Keeping intruders out is an essential part of a home security system, and Vivint security sensors help protect the most vulnerable components of your home, including the windows and doors. In addition to sensors that will trigger the alarm if a door or window is opened when the system is armed, glass break sensors provide an additional layer of protection.

Security cameras

Being able to keep an eye on your home while you’re away is important. Vivint security cameras provide additional security for your home:

• Doorbell cameras let you see whoever is coming to your front door, whether they ring the bell or not. Additionally, two-way voice and one-way video let you communicate with visitors.
• Outdoor cameras that not only provide a clear view of your property day or night, the Outdoor Camera Pro goes a step further, helping prevent potential crimes by identifying and then deterring threats on your property.

24/7 Monitoring

When a security or safety alarm goes off in your house, you may not always be home to address the issue or call 911. With Vivint’s 24/7 monitoring, your home is monitored around the clock. If a burglar alarm or fire alarm goes off, our monitoring specialists will attempt to contact you. If they can’t get ahold of you, they will contact emergency services on your behalf.

This monitoring round the clock provides service members and their families with priceless peace of mind.

Keeping Military Families Connected

While safety is certainly a concern of military families, staying connected to your home and family during long periods away is a must. A few ways Vivint keeps you connected to your home and family include:

Vivint app

The Vivint app gives you remote access to your home, so you can be there even when you’re not. With the app, you can control things like your home’s lights or temperature, lock the doors, check live camera footage, or view recorded clips, to name a few.

With the app, you can also enable notifications, so you’ll always be in the know. For example, if the garage door is left open or someone comes to your front door, you’ll know right away and can act accordingly.

Indoor cameras

Maybe you’re missing your pets and want to see what they’re up to. Or perhaps a security alarm went off and you want to check on the inside of your home. Indoor cameras can be placed anywhere in your home you want to keep an extra eye on. You can check on your kids, pets, or see what’s going on at home right from your phone, no matter where you are.

The indoor camera also features two-way voice, so you can see your family at home and speak to them via the camera right, all from the Vivint App. It’s a great way to stay connected, chat with your kids, and hear your loved ones’ voices, even when you’re miles apart.

These are just a few ways a Vivint smart home can provide peace of mind to service members while they’re home or away. Find out more about how Vivint helps protect and support military families.

Honoring Veterans throughout the year

Members of the military both past and present play an integral role in the safety and security of our country, and Veterans Day is an important holiday to honor them.