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While many people focus on Veterans Day to say thank you to those who have served, you have the opportunity to show appreciation for those in the military year-round. This includes volunteering your time or simply making an effort to communicate your support. See our guide to some creative ways to support your local veterans below.
Attend Local Events Celebrating Our Veterans
There are two major holidays related to those who have served in the military each year. In May and November, you can look for local events that celebrate Memorial Day and Veterans Day. While Memorial Day exists to honor those who gave their life in defense of this country, Veterans Day celebrates everyone who has served.
There could be any number of local Veterans Day events, including parades, ball games, charity events, breakfasts, fundraisers, and marathons. Attend the events that interest you the most and show your support. You also likely have the opportunity to donate your time and money to these events.
Acts of Service
Doing something nice or helpful for a veteran in your life is an easy way to let them know you appreciate everything they have done for this country. The same is true when you encounter someone in uniform or that you know served based on their military-related civilian clothing. Just paying for a stranger’s meal is a great way to say thank you, and a nice surprise for that veteran.
Depending on your set of skills, you might be able to provide additional support. You could lend a hand with a variety of projects or household tasks like fixing a leaky faucet, mowing a yard, or doing some carpentry work. Lending a hand to veterans is a nice way to say thank you.
Support Veterans By Hiring Them
If you own or manage a business, there is no better way to support a veteran than to provide them with a flexible, supportive opportunity to earn a living in the civilian world. Providing employment opportunities to military spouses is another great way to show your support.
It is important to remember that offering a job—even one that provides a living wage—is only part of the equation. Many veterans require special considerations due to their service-related disabilities. This might include waiting requirements that they stand, allow for flexible hours to keep up with doctor’s appointments, or even working from home.
There are plenty of creative ways for a business to support veterans in addition to hiring them. You could offer a veteran’s book for sale or give them the opportunity to perform live music if your business is open to the public. These small acts can go a long way towards showing a veteran their service means something to you.
Fly the Flag Appropriately
The flag represents everything servicemembers fight and die for, so displaying it in an honorable way can be a sign of support. Proudly waving the flag sends the right message, but there is a code of conduct that comes with how you display it. Failing to follow the Flag Code can send the wrong message and do more harm than good.
The flag is traditionally displayed from sunrise to sunset. However, the rules allow for you to leave the flag flying 24-hours per day for the purposes of instilling patriotism or for special events.
There are also behaviors you should avoid when displaying or caring for a flag. Never let the flag touch anything beneath it, including the ground, water, or the floor of a building. The flag should not be kept in a place where it will get dirty or damaged. It should also never be dipped or displayed below other flags. You may not wear the flag as apparel or use it as bedding. When flags become damaged or frayed, they should be respectfully destroyed through burning.
Write a Letter or Make a Phone Call
Simply reaching out to someone who has served is another good option. If there is a veteran in your life, writing them a letter can provide a personal touch that they can keep and remember. Even a phone call could go a long way, particularly on Veterans Day.
If you want to communicate with a veteran but don’t have one in your life, The VA has a program that connects volunteers with isolated veterans through phone calls. You can reach out to those who have served, thank them for their service, and engage them in genuine conversation that interests them.
Make a Donation
There are plenty of ways to show your support for veterans by directly funding the programs that provide them with critical services. This is an excellent option if you do not have a veteran in your immediate family or friend circle.
Countless charities exist that are designed to support veterans. A few of the most popular options include Disabled American Veterans, the Wounded Warrior Project, and Homes For Our Troops. You can also find state and local organizations in your area as well. Anything you donate to these groups will be used to support a veteran in need.
The VA Compensation Attorneys of Gang & Associates Support Veterans and Their Disability Claims
At Gang & Associates, we support veterans by serving as their advocates after their VA disability benefit claims are denied. For many veterans, the support of a VA compensation attorney can be the difference between securing the compensation they need and walking away with nothing.
Our attorneys have dedicated our career to honoring veterans year-round. We can take your denied claim, evaluate the issues, and come up with a game plan that could see you get the best possible outcome. Do not assume that you have missed your chance to obtain VA benefits. Contact us today to learn how we can help.