Trying to come up with meaningful ways to honor a veteran in your life? Some gifts speak volumes, and some actions speak even louder than that. If you need a little inspiration to pay tribute to a former or current soldier, consider the following ideas and suggestions. Of course, the best way to honor them is to be in their life, helping and loving them every day. But it doesn’t hurt to add a little extra effort.
Visit and Arrange for a Treat at a Veteran’s Home or Hospital
If your loved one is the sort who doesn’t like anyone to go overboard in honoring them and their service, you can instead honor their name by donating to a local vet home or hospital. The simplest thing to do is to make a generous donation to a favorite veteran organization affiliated with their branch of the service or a similar group. Make the donation in both your names and let them receive the thank you note when it arrives in the mail. If you want to get more involved, volunteer at these organizations and offer to put on a special event for the enjoyment of the residents. Keep it a surprise and take your vet there!
Honor Them With the Flag Representing What They Fought For
There are so many gifts out there featuring the American flag that it might be hard to choose the one most appropriate for your vet. Look for one as part of a personalized display honoring their branch, division, platoon, or whatever applies to their service. Some American flag displays aren’t even made of cloth. Custom wood flags can bring an air of patriotism to your home, making a smart addition to a den, office, living room, or elsewhere with a rustic and all-American red, white, and blue look.
Sponsor a Vet With a Disability
There are multiple sponsorship opportunities that allow you to back a vet’s medical care or something similar. One organization to look into is Paralyzed Veterans of America. Donations of time and money go toward helping vets who have experienced paralysis and other conditions. The donations help improve their lives, create greater accessibility for them and other individuals with disabilities, and seek better healthcare and research for treatments. Another group sponsors service animals that can help vets. Look around and find the organization most relevant to your veteran and donate money or time in their name.
Be There for Them
Still looking for meaningful ways to honor a veteran in your life? There’s no better choice than to simply be with them and let them know you care. Take them out to dinner to their favorite place or go for a cup of coffee and lend them a friendly ear. Ask them how they’re doing and if there’s anything you can do for them. Make it extra special by giving them extra attention on a special day like Memorial Day or Veterans Day. You can also try to get their old friends together as well. Let your imagination and feelings be your guide.