Today is Veterans Day, and it’s a lot more than an occasion for pre-Black Friday sales.

Or at least it ought to be.

This is a day for all of us to take a break from our daily routines to honor and reflect on the work of those who’ve put their lives on the line for our democracy. Like everyone else, they were and are imperfect, but their service deserves everyone’s respect.

So sometime today, please reach out to a veteran – whether it’s a neighbor, a relative, an old friend or new one, customer or client, soldier, sailor, airman, Marine or Coast Guardsman – and offer your thanks for their service and sacrifices.

They’ll appreciate it, and you’ll feel better for having done it.