Veterans and military service members help make up the fabric of our nation. We celebrate them during the month of November especially, but we have the chance to take a moment and say thank you throughout the year. As we near the holidays and the season of giving, check out all of the ways that you and your family and friends can give back to veterans and service members. From donating to specific charities to just saying a warm and friendly hello, all of us can go the extra mile to give back to a veteran.
Reaching out to those currently serving.
There are several ways to support a service member who is stationed abroad or deployed. The USO (United Services Organization) was founded just prior to World War II and offers a range of services to military members, from airport centers, to the well-known USO tours, to various programs in support of service members, veterans, and military families. The USO website offers a wealth of up-to-date information about a range of options for supporting the military.
Another organization offering options to support both veterans and service members is Soldiers’ Angels, whose motto is “May no soldier go unloved”. You can donate, volunteer, or find other ways to give back at the Soldiers’ Angels website.
A program very popular with deployed service members is Green Beans Coffee Company’s Cup of Joe for a Joe. Your donation is randomly allocated to provide a free cup of coffee from a Green Beans Coffee café to service members who have signed up for the program. You can include a message with your donation, and the recipient has the option to message you back.
Helping wounded veterans.
Fisher House provides free lodging so that the families of wounded service members can be near their loved ones during what can often be prolonged medical treatment. Today, there are 58 Fisher Houses in the U.S. and one in the U.K. You can donate, fundraise, or volunteer in support of Fisher House and its mission. Fisher House also has an adjunct project, the Hero Miles Program, which allows you to donate airline frequent flier miles so that family members can travel to be with their injured service member. IHG® Army Hotels is proud to continue to actively raise funds to support Fisher House.
The Wounded Warrior Project supports severely wounded and disabled veterans as they adjust to life after military service and heal both physical and emotional wounds. Their reach is extensive and includes programs focused on peer support, outreach, family support, employment, and policy advocacy.
For the severely injured, achieving a degree of independence may require an extensively customized home. Homes for our Troops builds and donates custom-adapted homes to disabled veterans using licensed general contractors. You can donate or sign up for a Volunteer Day at one of 80 projects currently underway nationwide.
Honoring veterans and fallen service members.
There are also opportunities to honor our veterans and those who have fallen. One initiative that provides remembrances for the families of those who died in service is the Fallen Heroes Project. Artist Michael Reagan personally creates a hand-drawn portrait at no charge for the family of any service member killed in action in Iraq or Afghanistan — to date, over 6,250. This is obviously a tremendous undertaking for one man, and donations to the foundation support his work.
Another gesture of remembrance and respect to those who have served is the Honor Flight Network. It provides free flights to Washington, D.C. so that veterans — with preference to those from World War II, along with terminally ill veterans from other conflicts — can visit the memorials that honor them.
The Veterans History Project, part of the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress, works to capture oral histories from veterans. If you have a family member or friend who is a veteran of any war, you can help ensure that their story is preserved.
Just a simple thank you.
Everything we’ve named above is a way to give back to veterans, service members, and their families. However, not every gesture requires a donation of money or time. Take a few seconds to say a simple and sincere “Thank you” to a service member in uniform that you might encounter. There’s a good chance that you’ll make their day and yours as well.