Thanking the Veterans in Your Life
Since the beginning of its history, the United States has relied on its veterans, men and women willing to put their lives on the line to defend the freedom of others. Our national holiday Veterans’Day is set aside to honor and commemorate these courageous individuals, and is a wonderful opportunity to be able to thank a veteran for his or her service.
How do you plan to celebrate Veterans’ Day this year? Here’s a list of some ideas:
- Hang the American flag to show your patriotism.
- Check your local VA and find out if there are any parades or vigils in your area.
- Participate in the Take a Veteran to School or Thank a Veteran at Work programs. You can find more information about these programs at the Veterans Hub, a special site for veterans sponsored by the History Channel.
- Wear a yellow ribbon or a red poppy.
- Do a good deed for the families of deployed military. Send food, mow the grass, or shovel the walk.
- Support businesses owned by veterans. You can find businesses in your area at buyveterans.com.
- Contact your local VA hospital for information on sending cards or flowers, and visiting patients.
- Donate to the Red Cross, which supports America’s military members, veterans and their families.
- The organization Cell Phones for Soldiers recycles gently-used phones and uses the money received to purchase international calling cards for active-duty military deployed overseas to connect with their friends and family back home.
- Visit Homes for Our Troops for more information on how you can help restore the gift of freedom and independence to our nation’s most severely injured veterans through the gift of a specially adapted home.
- You can adopt a soldier by visiting homefronthugs.org or anysoldier.com.
- Send troops books, DVD's, games and relief supplies.
- Write a letter to the editor of your local paper, expressing your thanks to veterans and what freedom means to you.
- You can find a list of restaurants who give free meals to active duty military and veterans on Veteran’s Day. Show your support by frequenting them.
Veteran’s Day is a reminder of what others sacrificed so that we can enjoy the life we have today. This November 11th, make them a part of your marketing campaign and remember to say thank-you.