5 Ways You Can Make a Difference in the Lives of Your Local Veterans

Today is Veterans Day: a historically serious and important day for our country and the brave men and women who have served in our armed forces.

But although we all recognize Veterans Day, many of us struggle to come up with ways in which we can really make a difference in the lives of our local veterans the same way they’ve undoubtedly made a difference in ours.

Let’s break down five great ideas you can employ this Veterans Day.

Write a Thank You Letter

Many veterans appreciate thank you’s. But thank you letters are opportunities to express how much a veteran’s service means to you, in more eloquent words than many of us can manage in person.

Plus, you'll avoid any potential social awkwardness that might crop up if you thank them verbally – some veterans don’t like being singled out in public.

Consider doing this if you know any veterans in real life, and especially if they’re a family member.

Pay for a Veteran’s Meal, Gas, or Anything Else

Sometimes, we see veterans standing in line for coffee or a meal. Why not pick up their tab as a way to show your gratitude for their service?

You can do this anonymously or not, depending on your comfort level... But we’re sure any veteran will appreciate it if you pay for their coffee.

Don’t be afraid to expand your options, either. Things like gas and groceries can also go a long way.

Drive a Veteran to a Doctor’s Appointment

There are plenty of veterans who are disabled or are otherwise unable to easily make it to their own doctor’s appointments.

This can lead to spiraling health problems, as many of the veterans who can’t make it to the doctor are those who need a physician’s assistance more than anyone else.

You can directly help a veteran in your local area by offering to drive them to their doctor’s appointments.

This is the best way to ensure that they get the care they need and it’s a way to help directly without having to spend money you might not have, or commit a ton of time: Yet it has the potential to make a huge difference in their life.

Join a Veteran Assistance Program

A veteran assistance program, like the kind offered by the Disabled American Veterans nonprofit, is another great way you can make a difference in the lives of veterans this Veterans Day, or any day afterward.

Chapters are organized by geography, so you can find a local chapter and help veterans who live in your community.

The work is usually simple – things like yard work, grocery shopping, or running certain errands.

While they may seem like small gestures to you and I, these kind acts of service can make much more of a difference in the life of a veteran who needs someone looking out for them than you might think.

Build a Veteran a Home

The Building Homes for Heroes project is a nonprofit that runs on donations and volunteer assistance to build homes for veterans without them.

This incredibly important nonprofit organization arguably makes the most difference in the lives of veterans that aren’t very well off.

Consider joining the organization to either donate or lend your time and labor if you have the appropriate skills.

The Bottom Line

We appreciate the sacrifices our honorable veterans have made for us, our country, and our freedoms.

Please join us in leading by example, to help out our veterans who gave the security and safety of this country their full dedication.

This Veterans Day, let’s all help out where we can. Encourage those around you to follow suit, showing our deep gratitude for our fearless countrymen who served for us, and honoring their bravery.

Thank you for reading… United We Stand

Justin, Author
2A4Life