9 Ways To Thank A Veteran

Our service members past and present are the true heroes of our nation. U.S. veterans selflessly served our country, spending months or years away from home, undergoing grueling training and often putting their lives at risk, just to keep us safe. It’s time to say thank you!

Take a few minutes to show your appreciation for our country’s veterans on Nov. 11, Veterans Day.

Join Scott Credit Union as we thank the members of our military this Veterans Day! Here’s a list to get started to celebrate our nation’s heroes.

1. Fly a flag-the right way

Veterans Day offers a wonderful opportunity to fly Old Glory. Just make sure you’re observing the proper rules for its display this time of year. Read up on all you need to know about flying the flag on the military’s guide to the flag.

2. Visit a VA Hospital

Call the closest Veterans Administration hospital to ask about their policies for interacting with patients or volunteering. Once you have that down pat, you can spend Veterans Day visiting a recovering vet or volunteering your services at the hospital. Lots of VA hospitals will host special events on Veterans Day, which are usually open to volunteers. It’s a wonderful way to give back to our service members.

3. Send a care package

Security measures make sending a care package to an anonymous soldier a near impossibility in our hyper-vigilant climate, but you can still show your gratitude. There are several organizations that will enable you to safely send a care package. Instead of putting the goodies together yourself, you’ll make a donation to one of these recognized organizations and they will assemble and send the package for you. You can find a list of these organizations and contact them directly here.

Lots of these funds are 501(c) (3) organizations, which makes your donation eligible for a tax deduction. To find out whether a charity is qualified charity, check out the IRS’ list of federally recognized organizations.

4. Make a donation

Sometimes, a monetary donation is the best way to show where your true values lie. There are loads of nonprofit organizations out there that offer a plethora of services to members of the military and gladly accept donations. Look through this list to find the one that’s right for you.

5. Donate your car

If you’ve just bought a new set of wheels and you’re looking for a way to get rid of your old vehicle, consider donating it to the military. There are lots of organizations, like the Veterans of Foreign Wars Foundation, which will happily take your old car, truck or RV and donate its value to the military. These services are free of charge, highly convenient, and many are federally recognized charities that can net you a tax deduction for your donation. Let your vehicle serve our country even after it’s retired!

6. Attend a Veterans Day event

Find out about the Veterans Day events and parades being hosted in your town and attend at least one of them to show your support for the military.

7. Bake some cookies

Sometimes, a homemade gesture is the best way to express your gratitude. Whip up a batch of your favorite cookies to share with a service member you know on Veterans Day. You’ll be showing the veteran how much you appreciate their service in the sweetest way possible.

8. Send a card or email

If you personally know a veteran, take this opportunity to send him or her a postcard or email that recognizes their contributions to the country. If you don’t know any current or past service members, you can look up the closest military station and simply send one there. An anonymous soldier will be gratified to know that the people of this country appreciate all they have done to keep us safe and protected.

9. Run for our veterans

If you like to get up and move it, consider running or walking for our vets. You can join a sponsored race that donates its proceeds to the military almost anywhere in the country. Get some friends to join you and work up a real sweat while supporting our vets. There are lots of organizations, like the St. Patrick Center Veterans Day 5k Run/Walk, which will help make your race possible by providing you with logistics and fundraising web pages for your run. Look up more information about races around the country on Militarybenefits.com.

Veterans Day is about a lot more than a day off from school and awesome sales at your favorite store. This Veterans Day, make sure to thank a vet and show your appreciation for our country’s true heroes.

Your Turn: How will you thank a veteran this Veterans Day? Tell us about it in the comments.