5 Ways to Thank Veterans this Veterans Day
By Kayla Orange
Veterans Day is coming up on November 11. Veterans Day is a day set aside to honor those who have served in the United States Armed Forces. Unlike Memorial Day, Veterans Day pays tribute to all American veterans—living or deceased.
Some people adorn their homes and businesses with flags and other symbols of patriotism on Veterans Day to denote their feelings of gratitude. Others lay wreaths at the graves of deceased veterans as a show of honor and appreciation. Regardless of how you choose to observe Veterans Day, taking the time to honor our veterans is always an extremely worthwhile endeavor.
So, how will you "thank" a veteran this Veterans Day? Here are some simple yet far-reaching ways that you can show your appreciation.
1. Write Letters to Veterans. One of the warmest sentiments a veteran can receive is a hand-written note or letter. Many non-profit organizations accept and distribute letters to veterans in addition to active-duty service members. Visit the following organizations' websites to find out more about where you can send your letters to veterans.
· Any Soldier
· Operation Gratitude
· Forgotten Soldiers Outreach
· Sandboxx
· Soldiers' Angels
2. Send Care Packages to Veterans. Like sending letters to veterans, many of the same organizations that accept and distribute letters also accept care packages or donations to purchase items like toiletries, snacks, small gifts, gift cards, and other things to assemble care packages.
If, on the other hand, you would like to put together your own care package to deliver to veterans at their homes, in Veteran Affairs (VA) hospitals, or senior centers, here are some suggested items you can include:
· Small, US flags
· Candies
· Small bottles of lotion or body spray
· Body wash
· Individually packed snacks (ex: nuts, chips, cookies)
· Military branded caps, shirts, buttons, or mugs
3. Give a Meal to a Veteran in Your Life. Many restaurants have programs in place that offer free or reduced-priced meals to veterans on Veterans Day. However, purchasing a meal for a veteran is a delightful way to honor and show your appreciation. On Veterans Day especially, many veterans proudly wear apparel (hats, shirts) that allude to their veteran status. Should you spot someone wearing a veteran's hat or shirt, simply thank them for their service and then offer to purchase their meal. If you wish to remain anonymous, alert your server that you would like to pay for that particular veteran's meal.
You can also provide a special meal to a veteran by preparing a homemade meal. If you choose to prepare a homemade meal, select a recipe that is easy to transport and can be reheated easily, like casseroles, salads, and soups.
4. Attend Veterans Day Parade in Your Community. Nothing brings a community together more than a patriotic parade. More and more towns are organizing parades to honor those who served in the armed forces. You can also show your gratitude by attending a Veteran's Day parade. Be sure to don your most festive, red, white, and blue outfit. Waving your hand or a flag is also a great way to show your enthusiasm and appreciation.
5. Volunteer at VA (Veterans Affairs) Hospital. Serving those who served our country is another remarkable way to honor a veteran. Veteran Affairs (VA) hospitals provide various volunteer opportunities that you can take advantage of on Veteran's Day or any day of the year, for that matter. Simply contact the closest VA hospital in your area and ask about the volunteer opportunities they have available.
Volunteer opportunities can vary from ground maintenance to interacting with patients. As long as you have the desire to volunteer, the VA hospital will place you in a volunteer role that best suits your abilities.
Even though Veterans Day is the day designated for showing honor and appreciation to our veterans, any day is a great day to show our gratitude and respect for the men and women who served our country. At Royal Care, our team is proud to continue serving our veterans and finding new ways to unite our community.
Looking for home care services? Visit us at https://www.royalcare.nyc/services to learn more about Royal Care and the professional home care services we provide.