Ways to Support Veterans
While it’s true that some veterans suffer from severe life obstacles, there are lots of ways to show veterans you care and help them out:
Ask a veteran about their service - Saying “thank you” to a veteran is nice, but if the two of you have a few minutes to spare, you can go beyond just thanking them and ask about their time in the military. It’s important to listen with empathy and care and try to see things from their perspective.
Visit a VA hospital - Is there a VA hospital in your area? They may have a volunteer program, or a one-time event for Veterans Day (or other days). Look up their volunteer info and see if you can visit and either volunteer to spend time with a veteran or do other things to help the facility.
Spread the word about veterans’ resources - There are so many resources out there available to veterans! To name a few: The Veterans Crisis Line is available through phone or chat to connect with veterans experiencing a mental health crisis. NAMI Homefront is a collection of veterans’ resources from the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Military.com has a job board and information hub for veterans and military spouses, Military Veteran Student Loan Forgiveness and Veterans Guide which assists veterans with the array of issues they may face, including obtaining proper disability compensation, financial assistance, information on the GI bill, and more.
Donate to veterans’ organizations - Your donation, big or small, goes a long way to help veterans thrive in life after the military. Check out highly-rated veterans organizations like Homes For Our Troops, K9s For Warriors, and The Mission Continues.
Support veterans’ families - On a day dedicated to veterans, we should also remember their loved ones who go through more hardships than a lot of people realize. Wounded Warriors Family Support is an organization that not only helps veterans with disabilities but also provides respite and other services for the families that care for them.
Veterans deal with a complicated mix of both problems and triumphs. People who have never served in the military will never fully understand. But we can find ways to show support, and Veterans Day is just the beginning. If you’re a veteran reading this right now, know that you are truly appreciated!
Jasmine Clark is a freelance writer from North Carolina. She enjoys writing about topics such as stress relief and positive thinking. She likes to encourage others to find ways to calm down and relax. In her spare time, she loves to write fiction stories and watch TV and YouTube. You can find her on Instagram @cozysachi.
