5 Easy Ways to Help and Honor a Veteran

During this time of unrest, displacement and fear, I’ve read numerous social media posts and comments asking how it is possible to help refugees overseas while our very own country has critical needs, especially our veterans. For me, this is not an either/or decision, but I realized I’m not really doing either. So, I decided to research 5 fairly easy ways to start helping veterans immediately, and most of them we can do with our kids. I challenge all of us to choose a few…and share more ideas!

• Donate frequent flier miles: The Fisher House Foundation provides homes to help family members be close during the hospitalization of a loved one for a combat injury, illness or disease. Fisher House operates the Hero Miles Program, using donated frequent flier miles to bring family members to the bedside of injured service members. You can also volunteer or donate household items.
• Send a care package or a letter: Operation Gratitude sends individually addressed care package to the military community. The packages are sent to current military members as well as veterans, wounded warriors and their caregivers. It also has a letter writing campaign encouraging everyone to write handwritten letters of gratitude to veterans.  

• Say thank you: It's simple, but it can make an impact. And so many veterans have never heard the words "thank you." If you know a veteran or see someone in a military uniform, say something. It may make his or her day and yours.

• Use social media: Use the power of social media to show your support, stay informed and enlist others in the mission to honor and empower our veterans. One great organization is the Wounded Warrior Project – share it on Facebook and Twitter.

• Volunteer locally! There are amazing opportunities in Austin’s outpatient clinic (Voluntary Service Specialist, Michael H. Wittrock, 512-823-4525 Ext. 54525, Michael.Wittrock@va.gov)...anything from caregiver support to popcorn volunteer.

Sources & Resources:

DAV (Disabled American Veterans) http://www.dav.org/learn-more/about-dav/mission-statement/

Operation Gratitude: http://www.operationgratitude.com/can-help/

U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, voluntary service: http://www.volunteer.va.gov/

CNN article: http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/05/us/iyw-simple-ways-to-honor-veterans/