“The willingness of America’s veterans to sacrifice for our country has earned them our lasting gratitude.” If you know a veteran, this Jeff Miller quote is probably close to your heart. To show your gratitude to those who have served, scroll down and explore some ways to honor veterans in your life.
Ways to Honor Veterans in Your Life
Did you know that May is Military Appreciation Month? While all of May is set aside to honor our military heroes, there are two particular days you should be aware of. May 15th is Armed Forces Day, an American holiday where we are meant to pause and thank those who serve. While it’s not as widely known as other holidays, it is frequently celebrated on military bases and in communities with a large veteran presence. Next, Memorial Day is on May 31st. This is the day where we honor the memory of those who made the greatest sacrifice possible in service of our armed forces.
While some of us may think of Memorial Day as an occasion for barbeques and family fun, it is also important to explore ways to honor veterans in your life. If you have never served in the military, you may be wondering how you can appropriately honor veterans throughout the month of May. We’re happy to share some suggestions from veterans themselves below.
Show Up for Parades and Demonstrations
If there’s a Memorial Day or Armed Forces Day parade in your city, you can show your local veterans support by attending to thank them in person. By participating in these events, you demonstrate that you’re aware of how much veterans have given our country, and that you want to take time out of your day to express your gratitude. It may not feel like a meaningful action to go to a parade, but for the veterans marching, a big crowd makes them feel truly appreciated.
Donate to a Cause That Supports Veterans
While veterans deserve our support every day of the year, these holidays are a particularly good time to make a donation to a non-profit organization that includes veterans in their mission. Luckily, there are many highly-rated charities that do excellent work to support veterans in our communities. Make a donation in your own name or in the name of the veteran you wish to honor.
Volunteer with Veterans Services
If donating money doesn’t feel personal enough, why not donate your time instead? Look up a local VA hospital or nonprofit that serves veterans, and see how you can get involved. What better way to honor veterans than to spend your day making their lives better? Holidays are a great time to give back, and your efforts will be appreciated.
Talk to a Veteran About Their Service
Sometimes being a friendly listener is the best way to support someone you care about. If you have a veteran in your life, take them out for a coffee and ask about their service. You can also write a veteran a letter thanking them for their service. You can even organize a group letter-writing activity to reach out to veterans in your community.
Craft a Thank-You Gift for a Veteran
If you’re the creative type, why not honor veterans through crafting? Crafting is a great opportunity to celebrate the importance of these holidays in a fun, hands-on way. You can create gifts that can be sent to your local VA hospital as a thank-you for their service. Or present them to a veteran in person, and show them how much their service means to you.
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There are many ways to honor veterans in your life, so why not spend the month of May showing them your appreciation? Start a new tradition this year by inviting your friends and family to participate. You can make veterans lives brighter, and give something back to our country too.
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