There are few that deserve our acknowledgment, reverence, and indebtedness more than the courageous military men and women who have honorably served in the United States Armed Forces to protect our country and freedoms.
Dating back to as early as 1919, Veterans Day was known as "Armistice Day," which commemorated the day an armistice was signed to end WWI. On November 11, 1983, the day became known as Veterans Day to recognize all American veterans – both living and deceased – and give thanks to those who currently serve our country.
These upstanding individuals sacrifice an incredible amount to protect and preserve our way of life. This Veterans Day, we wish to extend our heartfelt thanks to those who have served selflessly at home or abroad.
Whether you know a veteran personally, or you just want to support those who have dedicated their lives to the protection of America's democracy and values, there are plenty of opportunities to show your support, no matter where you live.If you're wondering what you can do this Veterans Day to honor and celebrate veterans in your community, the following suggestions are a great place to start:
Fly a Flag
Displaying the American flag is the simplest way to show your support. Fly it high and proud outside your home, or get a miniature flag to decorate your office – or both! If you have the ability to fly two flags simultaneously,
consider one of these to accompany your American flag.
Say Thank You to a Veteran
Do you know someone who has served? Give them a call or shoot them a text to thank them for their service. You might even consider taking them out to lunch or grabbing a cup of coffee. Stopping a service member and just letting him or her know you are thankful for their service is always appreciated.
Wear a Red Poppy Show support for veteran and active duty service members by wearing a red poppy. As part of a therapeutic rehab program, millions of red crepe paper poppies are handmade by veterans and distributed nationwide on a donation basis to assist disabled veterans. Visit the American Legion Auxiliary to learn more about this amazing program and how to get involved.
Attend a Parade or Community Event
From Capitol Hill to California, communities organize local Veterans Day parades to show their respect. To join the patriotic fun, check your local news or event listing guides for upcoming Veterans Day events or parades. Bring the whole family!
Lay a Wreath
If your community has a cemetery, ask about helping display small flags or wreaths at or on the graves of veterans. This is a common memorial done around the country and a wonderful way to honor their remembrance. Write a Letter
If you're looking for something more personal than a text or email, hand write a letter to a veteran or send a care package. You may even consider getting a group of your friends and family together to organize a care-package packing party. The Support Our Troops organization shares some awesome insights on how to creating and ship your care packages. Visit a VA hospital Locate a VA hospital or clinic location nearby and ask if you can drop by to pay a special visit. Ask if the hospital is accepting donations and supply what they need.
Commit to Volunteering
Find an opportunity to volunteer with an organization whose mission is focused on benefiting our nation's military members. If you're looking for a nonprofit to work for or donate your time or money to, find a good fit with GreatNonProfits.org's list of
31 Top-Rated Veterans Nonprofits.
Donate to a Veteran's Fund
Whether you give $5 or $5,000, donating to a cause that supports our country's servicemen and women is well spent. Consider taking time to honor the sacrifices many brave individuals have made by making a donation to one of these top-rate
military and veterans organizations.
Offer a Military Discount
If you own a business, you might consider offering a military discount not just on Veterans Day, but year round.
Support a Veteran-Owned Business
According to the Census Bureau, there are an estimated 405,000 veteran-owned business in the United States.
Locate a veteran-owned company near you!
At Resort Lifestyle Communities, we are honored to serve seniors, and proud to have many veterans who have chosen to call our all-inclusive independent living retirement
communities their home.
Each of our communities features a "Wall of Honor" to highlight U.S. veterans and pay tribute to the men and women who have played a critical role in our nation's history. We invite you to stop by one of our communities and take a moment to meet our heroes and hear their stories.
