5 Simple Ways to Honor Those Who Served

5 Simple Ways to Honor Those Who Served

Memorial Day may fall on the last Monday of May and Veterans day on November 11th, but it doesn’t mean we should just forget about our men and women in uniform for the rest of the year. Though it may be easy for us to take our freedom for granted, we need to remember the sacrifices our military men and women make every day.

With that being said, you may want to show appreciation for your friend or family member who served in the military. It may seem as if you have to throw an exquisite banquet or donate your life savings to military charity organizations, but really, it’s the thought that matters. It’s better to do small things regularly than go for one big gesture and forget all about your gratitude.

Attending an event or a parade, volunteering in a veteran organization, joining a fundraiser – below, you will find more ways to honor those who served our country:

Take Part in Events

Regardless of where you live, you can probably find a handful of events related to military affairs – with the Memorial Day celebrations being one of the most significant ones. Attending such events is a simple yet meaningful way of honoring veterans. Moreover, you can volunteer to help organize them and be a part of something bigger than yourself.

There, you will also get acquainted with other people who share your views, and you can learn more about the military – its history, present, and future – as well as ways to help veterans. For example, you will have a chance to educate yourself on the symptoms of PTSD and find out how to support people who suffer from it, or learn how you can support veteran candidates for congress.

You will see how the community comes together to remember those who put their lives on the line for our country.

Make a Donation

There are many veteran organizations that could use your financial support – whether it’s a national or a local charity. If you want to make sure that your donation goes where it’s needed most, do some research on various organizations and pick the one whose mission resonates with you the most.

You can also donate blood or Plasma as there is always a shortage at Veteran hospitals. Although veteran health care is guaranteed by the Veterans Affairs, these institutions often lack resources. And who knows, maybe it will be your donation that will save someone’s life.

Volunteer at a Local VA Facility

If you can’t donate to veteran organizations, you can always do your part by volunteering. Veteran Affairs facilities are open for people who want to help with a variety of tasks, from administrative work to rehabilitation. You may also assist veterans while they’re transitioning to civilian life or, as we mentioned above, organize related events.

There is a high chance that you will be required to undergo training before you start volunteering in any of these places, but you will soon see it’s worth the effort. Once you are done with the necessary paperwork and tests, you can begin helping veterans in need immediately.

Visit Cemeteries and Memorials

Not everyone is lucky enough to serve in a peaceful environment. Even short peacekeeping operations can be dangerous, let alone being deployed to a war zone. So, next time you are going past a cemetery or a memorial site, take a moment to place flowers or flags on soldiers’ graves.

Pause for a moment of silence, utter a prayer, or, if you have some spare time, offer taking care of an abandoned grave. It may not be much, but it is still a way to pay respect.

Fly the American Flag

Probably the best way to honor those who serve is always to remember what they fight for. If you truly want to show everyone that you are a patriot, you should fly an American flag on your property or business establishment if you own one. But it doesn’t end here. To honor those who served, you should focus on showing patriotism in every aspect of your life.

There are many ways to manifest your patriotism in a healthy way: vote in elections, care for your community, support local businesses, or even sign up to serve as a jury. The veterans served their duty in guarding the country and its political interests, and you should do your part as well.

Final Thoughts

You don’t have to wait for Memorial Day or Veterans Day to honor those who served our country. Instead, you can thank veterans for their service by attending related events and parades, participating in fundraisings, donating to veteran organizations, or volunteering in one of the numerous VA facilities.

Your display of respect doesn’t have to be elaborate. In fact, you can show your appreciation by serving your country in your very own way – whether it be by supporting local communities or voting in elections. Whichever way you choose will show your respect for those who fought – and continue to fight – to keep America safe.

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