11 Meaningful Ways to Celebrate Veterans Day

1. Educate yourself about military history

The first Meaningful way to celebrate Veterans Day is educating yourself about history. Learn more about the major conflicts in which American veterans fought to understand better the sacrifices they made. You can learn about military history by reading a book or seeing a movie about it.

2. Make a connection with a veteran.

Make time to speak with a veteran about their military experiences. You can also send a veteran a postcard or an e-card to express your gratitude for their service. If you don’t know a veteran, groups like A Million Thanks can help you send a card or letter.

3. Put on a poppy or another pro-veteran item.

If you’re a veteran, you’re likely to have hats, pins, or clothing that commemorate your time in the military. Veterans Day is the ideal opportunity to proudly display these objects and educate your family and friends about the contributions many of their acquaintances have made to the country in the past. Allowing civilians to thank you for your service may seem unusual at first, but it will enable them to express gratitude that they would otherwise be unable to express.

If you are not a veteran, a simple red poppy or American flag pin on your lapel is a minor but essential gesture to remind yourself and others that Veterans Day is more than just a work holiday.

4. Visit a local nursing home or a Veterans Administration hospital.

As the veteran population in the United States grows older, you’ll see an increase in the number of veterans in local nursing homes, both VA and public. To recognize residents and their respective branches of service, several facilities host small celebrations or services. If nothing is planned, simply volunteer to provide your small gesture, such as a basket of food or comfort things (blankets, toiletries, socks) for veterans staying at the facility.

5. Visit a Veteran’s Cemetery or Memorial.

Veterans Day is still an excellent opportunity to visit your nearest veterans’ cemetery or memorial and leave a small token or even just take a few moments to silently pay your respects, although decorating military headstones is typically associated with Memorial Day when we remember service members who have passed away. Many veterans’ cemeteries will offer local ceremonies to mark Veterans Day, and merely visiting one can be a meaningful way to show your gratitude to the other veterans in attendance.

6. Get involved with the VA’s #BeThere program.

You may already be aware of the veteran suicide issue in the United States, with an estimated 20 veterans committing themselves every day. Unfortunately, research has revealed that about 70% of individuals who commit suicide do so in quiet, either because they are uninformed or isolated from the VA’s various support systems.

As a result, the VA is stepping up its efforts to not just engage with at-risk veterans but also to educate other veterans and civilians to recognize warning signals and perform simple yet effective gestures to show their support and approachability during a crisis.

Simple acts of kindness, such as providing a meal or sending an email or text, can help a struggling veteran get through a difficult time.

7. For the holidays, adopt a military family.

Helping individuals in need, especially during the Christmas season, is a practical way to express gratitude to the veteran community and all US service personnel. Some military families, such as those with a deployed parent, veteran families on modest budgets, or families of post-9/11 veterans gravely injured, can join in Soldiers’ Angels’ Adopt a Family program, which allows civilians and businesses to sponsor a family for the holiday season.

The sponsor gives each family a present for each dependant child under the age of 18 and a grocery gift card to help with a holiday meal. Making these families’ holidays brighter is a simple way to express your gratitude for their service.

8. Give Veterans A Meaningful Gift

Giving gifts is one of the most effective methods to show veterans that you care about them. Here are a few gift ideas to get you started, or check out our Veterans Day gift collection for more ideas. Wearing patriotic t-shirts with your family on Veterans Day is also a terrific idea.

9. Take part in the National Two-Minute Silence Campaign.

On November 11, all Americans are encouraged to take part in a two-minute national moment of quiet, which will be held at their local time zone. Taking the opportunity to sit silently and unite your thoughts with those of thousands of other Americans is a terrific approach to guarantee that you remember why Veterans Day is celebrated.

At 3:11 p.m., there will be a moment of quiet. 2:11 p.m., Atlantic Standard Time 1:11 p.m. Eastern Standard Time 10:11 a.m. Central Standard Time; 12:11 p.m. Mountain Standard Time; 11:11 p.m. Pacific Standard Time 9:11 a.m. Alaska Standard Time Standard Time in Hawaii-Aleutian Islands.

10. Donate, Donate, Donate…

Veterans Day is a great time to support a charity or service group that helps veterans on a regular basis. However, with over 40,000 charities in the United States that support members of the United States Armed Forces, it can be challenging to decide where to put your contributions. However, choosing an organization that resonates with you can be a rewarding way to thank veterans.

11. Purchase from a veteran owned shop

Find veteran-owned businesses and stores in your region and patronize them by shopping or eating there. With a bit of effort and the help of your contacts and social media, you could transform this into a community-wide campaign.

Keep in mind that most of these Meaningful ways to celebrate Veterans Day are available all year. Continue to support and interact with veterans in your community after Veterans Day has passed to have a lasting effect.