Happy Veteran's Day!

9 Ways to Show Your Support for Veterans in 2024

Your support for veterans on Veterans Day and throughout the year can make a big difference. Listed below are some ways you can honor our veterans this year.

1. Donate to a Trusted Organization

Veterans organizations and other non-profits do important work by supporting soldiers after duty in a wide array of areas, from mental health assistance to career planning and beyond. Some also do research into service-related illnesses like mesothelioma to seek a cure.

This Veterans Day, consider donating to any of the following organizations:

• Disabled American Veterans

• Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation

• National Association of Black Veterans

• Paralyzed Veterans of America

• Wounded Warrior Project

2. Attend a Veterans Day Event

Veterans Day events, including concerts, dinners, fairs, and parades, will take place all across the nation on November 11, 2024. These events provide American civilians ample opportunities to demonstrate their support.

When it comes to supporting the men and women who have served in the U.S. military, simply “showing up” is significant and meaningful. It’s perhaps the easiest way to demonstrate your support.

Look through your local newspaper or delve into online searches to find Veterans Day 2024 events in your community.

3. Take the Time to Ask a Veteran About Their Service

The sacrifices veterans make are sometimes under-appreciated. Taking the time to speak with a veteran can help them know their sacrifices remain noticed and appreciated.

A few good questions to ask might be:

• When were you drafted or when did you enlist? If you enlisted, what were some of your reasons for joining the military?

• What were your job(s)/assignment(s) during your service?

• Which war(s) did you serve in (WWII, Korea, Vietnam, the Persian Gulf)?

4. Visit a VA Hospital

Donating to charities is one great way to demonstrate your support for American veterans, but you can also donate your time. In honor of Veterans Day this year, consider signing up to volunteer at a local VA hospital.

Many VA hospitals and veteran organizations welcome volunteers for various roles, from providing companionship to helping with community events.

5. Deliver Dinner to a Veteran’s Home

The love and care that goes into preparing a home-cooked meal can be quite heartwarming, but some veterans may not be able to take the time to cook for themselves due to illness or other disabilities.

So, in honor of Veterans Day this year, consider making a veteran a home-cooked meal and dropping it off at their front door with instructions for reheating.

6. Fly an American Flag

If you are able to fly the American flag at your home, consider proudly displaying the country’s red, white, and blue to show your support for veterans. Around this time of year, many Americans choose to fly the flag and keep it flying throughout the entire holiday season.

7. Shop at Veteran-Owned Businesses

As veterans return to normal civilian life and begin contributing to the workforce, it is vital that community members find ways to support their work. One great way to show your appreciation is by shopping at a local, veteran-owned business. Check to see if there are any veteran-owned businesses in your neighborhood.

Shopping online is also a great way to support veteran-owned businesses nationwide.

A few popular veteran-owned businesses include:

• Black Rifle Coffee Company (coffee)

• Bravo Sierra (deodorant)

• Combat Flip Flops (footwear)

• Dashfire Beards (facial hair products)

• GORUCK (backpacks/rucksacks)

• Spouse-ly (artwork)

• Teak & Twine (gifts)

• Smoked Bros (barbecue seasonings and spices)

8. Educate Yourself on the Difference Between Memorial Day and Veterans Day

Confusing Memorial Day for Veterans Day is a common mistake many Americans make. The mistake may rightly frustrate veterans and perhaps make them feel others don’t care about or understand the sacrifices they have made.

So, if you haven’t already, be sure to commit to memory the difference between Memorial Day — which honors military members who have died — and Veterans Day, which recognizes and honors all of America’s veterans.

9. Express Your Gratitude

This Veterans Day, take the extra time and effort necessary to let a veteran know their sacrifices are deeply appreciated. Saying “Thank you for your service” may seem like a small gesture, but it can go a long way.

On the surface, it may not be easy to tell how deep a veteran’s scars may go — and the personal work, commitment, and sacrifice it takes to heal those scars cannot be underestimated.

The least any non-service member can do is express their sincerest gratitude for the men and women who were willing to put themselves in harm’s way to help defend America at home and abroad.