7 Ways to Honor a Veteran Every Day of the Year

Veteran’s Day is when we try to purposely say “Thank You” to those who have chosen to serve our country, past and present. 

But as the wife of a Veteran, I like to show appreciation throughout the year, not just on one special day. 

Because they serve every day of the year away from their families, on holidays, and on weekends when most of us are enjoying our days off, being a veteran is a lifestyle and not just a job. So today, I am sharing seven different ways to honor a Veteran every day of the year.

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To put this list together, I decided to go to the source—the Veterans themselves—and ask them what means the most to them about how others show appreciation and say thanks.

1.  Say Thanks to their family.

This one came from my husband.  He said he always appreciates a “Thank you for your service” comment from others but what means the most to him is for them to recognize and thank his family.  He believes the family makes the most enormous sacrifices for a veteran’s career, whether deployed overseas or not.  The family “serves” along with the Veteran.

2. Honor the national anthem.

I know this is a controversy for the news media, but to a Veteran, it is not.  Stand up, take off your hat, cover your heart with your hand, and show respect for our country.  It is the same as showing respect to them.

3.  Send a card

In recent years, Hallmark and other card companies have started creating special cards just for Veterans Day. They even have cards designed for each branch of service. But beyond that, a simple thank-you card anytime during the year will lift the spirits of those separated from their families.

4.  Pay for their meal.

You can do this anonymously or in person. When you see a Veteran eating in a restaurant or behind you in line at the drive-through at a fast food place, pay for their meal as a thank you. Another great way is to buy gift cards for local restaurants and keep them in your wallet or purse. These are great to hand out with a handshake as you say thank you.

Recently, while traveling, we stopped for lunch at a Cracker Barrel. Of course, my husband noticed the older gentleman’s military hat on the table behind us. Without hesitation, he told our waitress to give us their dinner ticket. The gentleman’s back was to us, so my husband just quietly walked to the counter and paid for their meal, and we left. He didn’t need recognition for it or to introduce himself.  

I hope this small gesture makes the gentleman smile for the rest of the day. 

5.  Buy them a cup of coffee and listen to their stories.

Great friendships can be created over a great cup of coffee and genuine conversation.  

 6.  Support Veteran Owned Businesses

I am all for supporting local small businesses, especially those owned and operated by veterans. But you don’t always know which businesses to support. A great place to start is on the Internet, by searching for Veteran-Owned Business Directories in your area.

Here is also a link to veteran-owned moving companies that may be helpful if you are planning a move soon.

7.  Join a Veteran Support Group

Whether you know a veteran or not, you can still show your support all year long by joining a Veterans Support Group such as Operation Gratitude. You can write letters, send cards, help pack a care package, or even just pay for the shipping. Get together with the ladies in your church or community to start knitting scarves or blankets, and those, too, can be sent to a soldier. There are so many ways to show your support through this program.

Supporting our veterans is so much more than attending a parade once a year – which you need to do too – but there are such simple and heartfelt ways to show your support every day of the year.  I hope you take advantage of the few I have included in this post.

And to any veteran reading this post – Thank You!

Proud wife of a Veteran

1. Joshua 1:9

“…Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

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