- Send a message of support on the "Thank the Troops Message Form" at OurMilitary.mil
- Take a Veteran out to eat; whether it is a fast-food chain or a fine-dining establishment. Tell them why you are bringing them out to eat.
- Are you a knitter or crocheter? Make a scarf for the cold-winters ahead. Donate them at a local-VFW for a veteran in need or contact Operation Gratitude to see how to donate.
- Listen to their stories with interest. If they are a war-veteran they have seen things you will never see. Listen and Learn.
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- Call and Visit a local nursing home or VA Hospital. Find out what you can do to help. If you quilt make a blanket for a needy veteran. If you bake call and find out if you can bring in something special. Bring a book to read to a veteran "ready and willing" to listen. We all have talents that can be used.
- Send an 'E-Card' through the American Legion to the Veterans in your life that use email.
- Support a Military Family through Operation Homefront Adopt-a-Family Program
- Military-member at the same restaurant as you? Send them a drink or pay for their dessert.
- Is there a disabled veteran in your neighborhood? Help with the raking of his leaves or shoveling her driveway.
- Do you have a website? Make a page dedicated to our military. Need some help finding content for it?: For your site
- Do you bake? Make an Apple Pie or another specialty and bring it over to a neighbor-veteran. Don't forget to grab a box of ice cream to take. Now I'm hungry!
- Own a business? Hang a sign and invite all veterans in for something free. A cup of coffee, a flower, a massage. Something you can give from your inventory to show your gratitude.
- Do you quilt? Make a blanket for a retiring service-member. It will be a keepsake they treasure.
- Employers: Host a special luncheon for all of your veterans. Recognize their service to your company & your country.
- Call them. A grandparent, uncle, aunt, mother, father. Take the time to call them, especially if they live far away, and find out how they are doing.
- Send a note to your local school to urge the teachers to discuss Veterans Day. Visit Veterans' Day Teacher Resource Guide for some tips.
- Did you know November is also Military Family Month? By thanking the family, you thank the Veteran.
- Nearly 40 percent of our veteran population is 65 or older, give a veteran your phone number and ask them to call if they need help around the house. Make a note to call them this winter to see what they need.
- Have your children paint a picture or write a letter. Send it to your grandparent, parent, aunt, uncle, brother, sister, any relative that is a Veteran.
- Recognize the Veterans in church on the Sunday before or after Veterans Day
- Greet them on their special day with a smile and a thank you.
- Remember Veterans during other holidays, especially those without family. Send a Thanksgiving card, Christmas card or Valentines card, to either a Vet that you know or through a VA Hospital or VFW.
- Teach your children a patriotic song, like America the Beautiful or the Star Spangled Banner. Instill patriotism early.
- Employers: Give the veterans in your company a paid afternoon off on Veterans Day.
- Offer a Military Discount year round and include veterans. Don't forget a Military Discount equals a free ad on MilitaryAvenue.com. Find out more: Why is a Military Discount Valuable for a Marketing Strategy
- Teachers: Invite a Veteran to speak at your school, in a class room or to the entire school.
- Walk a mile in their shoes instead of flipping the channel when the news comes on
- Pray for them and their families, every day.
- Start a Drive: Ask local businesses to participate in a drive for local veterans or deployed service-members.
- Know a military family with a deployed member? Take them a treat on Veterans Day as a thank you and ask what you can do to make things easier
- Do you scrapbook? Make cards through the organization "Operation Write Home". They send them to the troops so that they troops can write letters home on them
- Tell them about local businesses special offers for them on Veterans Day
- Clean out your closets and contribute gently used household goods to Vietnam Veterans of America.
- Do a random act of kindness for a vet or their family. Remain anonymous.
- Say something to them on Facebook, Twitter, etc thanking them for their service
- Open up your house on Thanksgiving or another holiday to a few veterans (active-duty or prior-service) that don't have any family in the area. Make it a holiday none of you will forget.
- Visit Arlington National Cemetery, the Vietnam Veterans Wall, or any of the other War Memorials on your next trip to DC
- Call a veteran-friend and get together over dinner or a movie
- Volunteer at a VA Medical Center
- Help a deployed single-service member by taking care of their pet while they are gone; get involved with a Pet Foster Care program.
- Invite a few vets and friends over on Veterans Day and celebrate their service over beer, a football game, movie or game of pool in the basement.
- Participate in the 'Thank a Veteran at Work 2009' program from the History Channel.
- Did a veteran in your neighborhood just come back from a deployment? Send them a card of 'Thanks'.
- Tell your Veterans friends & family about MilitaryAvenue.com. They can find businesses in their area that recognize veterans year round with Military Discounts.
- Talk to your children about the pride we have in the Military
- Visit your local USO. What do they need? A monetary donation or a gift of your time?
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- Fly your flag 365 days of the year. Don't forget to lower it when appropriate.
- Teachers: Have your kids write short articles of how veterans are honored around the world. And if you know any veterans locally, propose that your kids interview them about what it's like to serve in the U.S. military.
- Learn a fact about the particular branch of service your family member has joined
- Participate in the 'Veterans History Project'
- Are you a military-brat? Talk to your parents about the pride you have in their service
- Offer to pick-up their bill (at a restaurant, bowling, ice cream stand, etc)
- Hear the National Anthem playing? Stop what you are doing and think about the sacrifices of our US Military.
- Wear an American flag on your clothing. It's a small way to say, "I am proud of my country."
- Introduce your children to VA Kids, from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
- Do you scrapbook? Make a Scrapbook a page or a whole book honoring a service-person. Journal about how proud you are. Add the pages to your own family's history.
- Have a pot-luck, at church or a banquet hall, for a group of local veterans. Invite the community to participate.
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- Listen to them. Some just want to share a story from their service
- Vote. Don't let them sacrifice for naught. Be a good citizen and do your part to protect the freedoms our service-people have fought and died for.
- Dedicate a patriotic song in a veteran's honor on the radio.
- Tell your children all about your Veteran-grandparents. What made them special and what they did as a Veteran. Pass on a legacy.
- Spot a DoD sticker on a car in the parking lot? Leave a note of Thanks.
- Pass out small flags around your neighborhood in honor of Veterans Day.
- Support the children of deployed National Guard and Reserve soldiers. Fund raise or contribute to 'Our Military Kids'
- Give them a big smile as you walk by, sometimes that is all that is needed.
- If you see a veteran with an old flag on their pole leave them a new one, with a note of thanks for their service.
- Do you have a veteran as an employee? Give them an extra time on break and a public Thank You on Veterans Day
- Visit a veteran's grave. Even if you simply stand there for a moment of quiet reflection, you're honoring their service--and you're rededicating yourself to the freedoms we enjoy as a citizen of this country.
- Find out which businesses in your community truly support veterans and the troops; become their customer.
- Teachers: Teach your children about the history of Veterans Day by having them create a time line of events leading to the observance of the holiday.
- Do you know the mom or dad of a veteran? Thank them for raising one of America's Heroes.
- Go to your local VFW ask if you can make a donation, either by money or donation of your time. If you have a family member that serves in the armed forces you could make a donation in there honor.
- Teachers: Take the time to write letters to veterans thanking them for their service. A great opportunity to talk about citizenship (& practice their handwriting). Call your local USO, VFW, or VA Medical Center to have them delivered to.
- In the market to hire? Seriously consider a Veteran. http://hirevetsfirst.dol.gov/
- Meditate on these words: "O Lord God of hosts, stretch forth, we pray, your almighty army to strengthen and protect the Soldiers of our country. Support them in the day of battle, and in the time of rest and training keep them safe from all evil. Endue them with courage and loyalty; and grant that in all things they may serve without reproach; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen" - From the Book of Worship for United States Forces
- Proudly display a "I support the troops" magnet on the bumper of your car
- Know a veteran that will be flying soon? Give them your upgrade coupon for their next flight.
- Order a shnazzy t-shirt or perhaps a tie that shows your thankfulness. Have one sent to a veteran in your family.
- Take the time to read 101 Ways to Say Thank you to a Military Spouse. Thanking the Spouse is a Thank You to the Veteran.
- During a family reunion recognize the veterans in your family. A special toast or a big family "Thank you!"
- Find out how you can help with a Community Service Project through your local VFW.
- Organize a group (boys scouts, girl scouts, classroom) to write letters to veterans. Bring the letters & cards to a local nursing home to be delivered to their vets.
- Support our troops this holiday season via 'Red Cross Holiday Mail for Heroes' program. Find out more here.
- Read some of the veterans' stories at DAV Charitable Service Trust. This is just a small sample of the sacrifices our service-members have made for us throughout the generations.
- Is it still warm where you live? Treat a veteran to a round of golf on Veterans Day or the weekend before or after.
- Attend a local parade or ceremony on Veterans Day
- Make a tax-deductible donation to 'Books For Soldiers'. They send books and other care-packages to our deployed service-members.
- Help a veteran with projects around his or her house. Patching a leaky roof, moving heavy rocks or rearranging the living room furniture is easier for the 20-somethings than a 60-somethings.
- Make a lunch date: Take your veteran-colleague out for lunch.
- Learn to say Thank You in sign-language. The Gratitude Campaign.
- Take pride in our history, in times of war and peace. Do you know the history of Veterans Day?
- Ask your company to put a flag out. Offer to help with raising & lowering the flag, it's not beneath you.
- Offer to take a veterans dog for a walk. Invite them to come along with you if they can.
- Know a veteran's hobby? Send them a subscription to a related magazine.
- Offer to babysit for a veteran-military family. Let the husband and wife get out together on Veterans Day or over the weekend. Perhaps it will be a great opportunity for them to reconnect after a deployment.
- Contribute your time, talent or money to Fisher House™ Foundation, "comfort homes," built on the grounds of major military and VA medical centers.
- Get involved and send a service-person a care package. Go to http://www.soldiersangels.org/ for a list of organizations with projects to support servicemen and servicewomen and their families.
- Donate your airline mileage to the Hero Miles program.
- Business Owners: What kind of Veterans Day special are you having for your Veterans? Is it from the heart?
- If you meet a veteran on this Veteran's Day, or any day, just say thanks. They served you, and this nation, well.
- To truly honor our veterans make the best of the opportunity the sacrifices of our fighting men and women have provided. Love your country with passion, and do what you can to make it a better place.
On this Veterans Day the MilitaryAvenue Team would like to wish all of our veterans a very Happy Veterans Day! Thank you for serving your country with pride.
14 Reader Reactions:
Wow, Thank you!
Leanne,
This is such a great list. I think there are many people out there who would like to help our veterans, but don't really know where to begin.
You've given them a great way to jump in and get started. Thank you so much!
- Julia at Midwest Moms
Business owners, how about giving a veteran a fair shot at employment other than just assuming they are only good for law enforcement or security work? Don't just sing the song about supporting the troops and honoring the vets. Actually give them the chance to prove they're more than just trigger pullers.
Some very creative ideas for people of all ages to do! Thank you, MilitaryAvenue, for your continue service to our Veterans and their families!!!!!!!
Fantastic suggestions, I plan to refer back to this list often and to share with my yoga blog readers as a way for them to practice karma yoga (the yoga of service)...but more importantly as US citizens it is our responsibility to support those who serve and sacrifice to keep us safe and free. Thank you.
Deb (wife of USMC Vet)
Wonderful blog! My husband and brother were Marines, so this day brings out a lot of emotion. Whenever we see someone out in uniform, I make sure to bring my kids up to him/her and thank them for everything. Thank a veteren everyday, not just on veterens day. I'm linking this to my FB, a lot of great ideas.
This is a wonderful post! Thank you for the many ideas and suggestions. Keep up the great work!
My husband and I have just moved to the South Shore of Massachusetts. For the first time, we will have Thanksgiving alone. We would love to have some members of the military come to our home to share the holiday, but don't know how to go about finding people who will be away from their loved ones and might like this way of spending the day. Any suggestions about how we can make this happen? Thanks! Please send suggestions to bettyshays@gmail.com.
Civis put too much effort into thanking us. It's ok ... really. A simple handshake and hello will do.
Thank you for this list...there are some great ideas on it, but please indulge a 20-year Air Force veteran:
Number 59 is the most important and should be listed first. All the thank you's and words of support ring hollow when most of the folks back home act like they could care less about the direction of the country. Military members are restricted a bit when it comes to actively campaigning, etc, so it is up to those out of uniform to make the sacrifices necessary to make sure our civilian government stays on track so our military members can concentrate on thier job.
Teach your kids the Constitution and Declaration of Independence. Talk to them about values and the importance of thier civic duty at all levels of our government:Federal, State, and local. Government's power comes from the consent of the governed--make sure it is informed consent!
I truly believe this is the best way to show thanks to our active duty AND veterans. Sorry for the rant, and thanks again for the great ideas!
Great ideas on how to thank a Veteran.
There are many groups which helps soldiers´ families to have contention and also builds friendship!
Besides, deployment of talent is very important.
Cheers
VA Hospital Manchester NH 2-15-10
Peter Macdonald 465 Packers falls Rd Lee NH 03824 603-659-6217
The public is satisfied with what the VA behind closed doors does to disabled veterans. Tomorrow I will return the two hearing aids that the VA went to great expense to issue me. They do not help me hear any better. As a matter of fact the objects in both ears causes discomfort and less hearing because they cannot work for someone with my type of injury. The words of the VA doctor that issued them to me said just that. He was right. The VA officials are trying to beef up my medical records to document that care was given. I speak loudly about the wrongs that the VA is doing to me but think of all the US Military Veterans lost in paperwork or on the streets unable to broadcast the criminal wrongs being inflicted on Veterans. The VA refuses to investigate the criminal wrongs so where does one go.
Public readers are sick of my telling you the bloody details of my service-connected disabilities. They are real just as the bloody nose that happens all the time as my head pounds from the pressure beating to my heart. The VA refuses to treat my PTSD hoping that an incident will happen to justify the criminal wrongs that they are doing to me and many other veterans. How do you get through when the newspapers refuse to print the truth because it comes from what they (the editors) label as a sick, demented, mental case. I am a disabled veteran that has been to places many of you pray and dodge any chance of ever seeing. These veterans homeless and disabled on the streets are human beings the editors and public just are tied of hearing about.
The VA officials overruled a VA doctor that told me to through pills that were harming my liver away. The VA officials went so far as to see that over night a new prescription was delivered to my house. How do you get through to the public that criminal wrongs are being committed by government officials when they use death and homelessness to beat the veteran down? How do you get through when a NH rep uses her federal powers to get your medical care stopped if the editors classify your facts not publishable because they are to unbelievable
Last night my head was pounding, so hurtful blood came rushing out of my nose as I watched TV. At 6am while having coffee at Young’s restaurant my eyes began to water as the pounding in my head continued. I left when red appeared when I wiped my nose on a napkin. The VA and government officials have made it public that I am delusional and a danger. They pick words out of my letters to demonstrate this false, harmful image. The public is satisfied because believing the wrongs justifies these criminal acts to meet the publics desire for harmony. Classify me as Paranoid, Mental case but the facts are true as I still have a receipt from NH governor Lynch for payment that I made to him just to let a voter talk with him about government wrongs.
The scary part is that I can write these letters without fear of a libel suit because documentation exists to prove it all and this is what our political leaders are fearful of. They need to cover it up to protect their special class of society.
I will not violate the law. I hope some day the news will inform the public of the harmful acts directly inflicted on US Military veterans right here in New Hampshire. The truth is a powerful weapon and silence is a killer.
Peter Macdonald Sgt USMC Semper Fi
I would like to extend this invitation to all including veterans, active military, family, and friends.
On Veterans Day, November 11, 2010, there will be a ceremony honoring all veterans and active military personnel.
This event will take place in front of the WWII War Memorial in Washington, D.C.
Please join us for this event.
Sincerely,
Susanna Smith Cointot
Cool list! Our Youth group is always looking for ways to recognize and help our veterans. Thanks!
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