{"id":25985,"date":"2025-11-10T08:00:57","date_gmt":"2025-11-10T13:00:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/doinglifetogether\/?p=25985"},"modified":"2025-11-10T09:34:05","modified_gmt":"2025-11-10T14:34:05","slug":"how-to-honor-our-veterans-today-and-every-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/doinglifetogether\/2025\/11\/how-to-honor-our-veterans-today-and-every-day.html","title":{"rendered":"How to Honor Our Veterans Today and Every Day"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure id=\"attachment_26009\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26009\" style=\"width: 1200px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/wp-media.beliefnet.com\/sites\/258\/2025\/11\/military-service_credit-Adobe-Stock.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-26009\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-media.beliefnet.com\/sites\/258\/2025\/11\/military-service_credit-Adobe-Stock.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1200\" height=\"900\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26009\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Adobe Stock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Every day, we\u2019re grateful for the freedoms that our military men and women protect. But on Veterans Day in particular, we pause as a nation to\u00a0honor\u00a0their service in a special way.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Happy Veterans Day.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s make it a point not just to say \u201cthank you,\u201d but to truly show our appreciation.<\/p>\n<p>Whenever you see a veteran wearing a cap or insignia indicating their service era, you\u2019re observing someone who stepped up to meet a challenge so that others could live safely. That kind of commitment deserves more than a passing nod. It deserves thoughtful recognition.<\/p>\n<p>Here are meaningful, tangible ways to show appreciation for veterans. Many are simple gestures, but some also offer more sustained support.<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong> Say \u201cThank You\u201d Directly and Sincerely<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>One of the simplest, yet most meaningful, ways to honor a veteran is to recognize their service with a sincere \u201cThank you for your service.\u201d<br \/>\n\u2022 Shake their hand or offer a warm greeting.<br \/>\n\u2022 Acknowledge that regardless of your political views, these individuals have made sacrifices for our country.<br \/>\n\u2022 Acknowledge not only active duty, but also many veterans carry unseen burdens (injuries, transition challenges, emotional strain). According to the <a href=\"https:\/\/nvf.org\/support-veterans-make-difference\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">National Veterans Foundation<\/a>, this simple acknowledgement can have a substantial emotional impact.<\/p>\n<ol start=\"2\">\n<li><strong> Donate to Trusted Charities<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Giving is a powerful way to express gratitude in action. But gifting effectively means giving wisely: pick organizations that have strong reputations, transparent records, and programs that really help veterans.<br \/>\nSome organizations to consider:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.woundedwarriorproject.org\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">Wounded Warrior Project<\/a>: Helps post-9\/11 wounded, ill or injured veterans and their families in many ways.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dav.org\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">Disabled American Veterans (DAV)<\/a>: Provides transportation, benefits advocacy, and support services for veterans of all generations.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redcross.org\/get-help\/military-families\/services-for-veterans.html?srsltid=AfmBOoqrZzle1rgq6ezVnCrEoWQVl4KE2dAFSa7u-dfHE_Vnjm7Ke_OM&amp;utm_source=chatgpt.com\">American Red Cross<\/a>: Offers confidential services to veterans and their families, helping connect them with local\/state\/national resources.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Important tip:<\/strong>\u00a0Always check the organization\u2019s track record. There have been cases of scams and misdirected funds aimed at veterans.<\/p>\n<ol start=\"3\">\n<li><strong> Volunteer Your Time and Skills<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Time is one of the most valuable things you can give. Whether it\u2019s an hour, a day, or a recurring commitment, showing up matters.<br \/>\nExamples:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Volunteer at a local Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facility, helping with check-ins, paperwork, or simply visiting with veterans.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.va.gov\/minneapolis-health-care\/work-with-us\/volunteer-or-donate\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">Veterans Affairs+1<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Drive a veteran to a medical appointment, help with errands or home maintenance. These might seem small, but they make a big difference.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.araglegal.com\/individuals\/learning-center\/topics\/family-and-relationships\/five-ways-to-appreciate-veterans?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">ARAG Legal+1<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Offer your professional skills\u2014IT, legal, tax prep, mentoring\u2014to veterans who may struggle with transition or specialized needs.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.vehiclesforveterans.org\/10-ways-to-honor-military-service\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">Vehicles For Veterans<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ol start=\"4\">\n<li><strong> Spend Time, Listen to Their Stories<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Many veterans appreciate being asked about their experiences\u2014if done respectfully and with genuine interest. It can affirm their service and help build connection.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Ask: \u201cWhat was your role in the service?\u201d \u201cWhat did you find meaningful?\u201d<\/li>\n<li>Avoid pressing on highly traumatic topics unless the veteran initiates. Focus on openness, respect, and genuine listening.<\/li>\n<li>Consider making this a regular practice\u2014not only on Veterans Day. Meaningful connection can help alleviate loneliness and isolation, which affect many veterans.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ol start=\"5\">\n<li><strong> Offer Practical Help to Veterans and Their Families<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Beyond thanks and time, practical support matters.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Help with chores, yard work, grocery runs, transportation.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/lukeswings.org\/4-easy-ways-to-support-local-veterans\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">Luke&#8217;s Wings<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Support veterans facing homelessness, eviction, or housing instability. According to the National Veterans Foundation, this is a significant need.<\/li>\n<li>Support organizations or programs that assist with housing, employment, mental-health transition services.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/thephiladelphiacitizen.org\/how-to-help-veterans\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">The Philadelphia Citizen+1<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ol start=\"6\">\n<li><strong> Make It More Than a One-Day Gesture<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Veterans\u2019 service doesn\u2019t stop on November 11, and our appreciation need not either.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Reach out through the year at holidays, anniversaries, or just because.<\/li>\n<li>Include veterans in everyday community events, support groups, local gatherings.<\/li>\n<li>Encourage friends, neighbors, children to learn about veterans\u2019 service, to write thank-you notes, or to volunteer as part of school\/community projects.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ol start=\"7\">\n<li><strong> Stay Informed &amp; Advocate for Veterans\u2019 Needs<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>True appreciation also means recognizing the ongoing challenges many veterans face and supporting them beyond symbolic gestures.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Familiarize yourself with resources like VA benefits and services.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.va.gov\/resources\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">Veterans Affairs+1<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Be aware of mental-health crisis resources: for example, the Veterans Crisis Line is available 24\/7 for veterans, their families and friends.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.veteranscrisisline.net\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">Veterans Crisis Line<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Support efforts to ensure veterans\u2019 rights, benefits, housing and healthcare are honored.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.vehiclesforveterans.org\/10-ways-to-honor-military-service\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">Vehicles For Veterans<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>A Heartfelt Message<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>To all the men and women\u2014past and present\u2014who have bravely fought and served:\u00a0Thank you.\u00a0Your sacrifice and service are deeply appreciated. Because of you, we remain a free country. On this day and every day, we salute you.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Every day, we\u2019re grateful for the freedoms that our military men and women protect. But on Veterans Day in particular, we pause as a nation to\u00a0honor\u00a0their service in a special way. Happy Veterans Day. Let\u2019s make it a point not just to say \u201cthank you,\u201d but to truly show our appreciation. Whenever you see a&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":419,"featured_media":26009,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[925],"tags":[9425,9422,9419,474,3097],"class_list":["post-25985","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mintle-mentions","tag-give-back-to-vets","tag-honor-a-vet","tag-veteran","tag-veterans","tag-veterans-day"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>How to Honor Our Veterans Today and Every Day<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Here are meaningful, tangible ways to show appreciation for veterans. 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Her media experience includes seven years as the resident expert for ABC Family\u2019s Living the Life television show and regular appearances on network television and radio. It is often said that being with Dr. Linda is like having coffee with a friend. She makes the complicated issues of relationships and mental health easy to understand and applicable to everyday living. The ease she has with people, coupled with her clinical training and experience makes her a sought-after speaker on college campuses, conferences and special events. Whether she is doing a TV skit with Tim Conway or discussing teen violence with Queen Latifa, Dr. Linda will entertain, educate and integrate faith and mental health in everyday living. 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