Blog

By Sarah Hunt, AZFB Communications Intern

Photo: Pixabay

Veteran’s day is this Wednesday, November 11! COVID-19 has certainly altered what we can do for holidays. Are you still deciding what you can do for your veterans this year? Look no further! Here are 10 ways you can honor your veterans this week within CDC guidelines. And of course, don’t forget to wear your mask!

1. Have a small care-package assembling party. Maybe make no-sew, tie blankets to include, and/or beanies, gloves, or scarves. If you want to, learn to knit so you can make these.
2. Visit a veteran’s hospital if possible during coronavirus season. Write cards and bring flowers or drop them off at the front desk for the nurses to give out.
3. Do service for a veteran. Offer to do yardwork, bring a home-cooked meal over, or ask what they need that you can help with.
4. Take a veteran out to dinner. (by USDVA)
5. Write letters to those currently deployed by sending them to Operation Gratitude.
6. Write a letter of thanks and gratitude to local veterans in your area and/or veterans in your family.
7. Plant USA flags in your front yard and at gravesites of veterans in your area.
8. Ask a Veteran about their time in the military, and really listen to the answer. (by USDVA)
9. Visit a homebound Veteran in their home, talk with them, and thank them for their service. (by USDVA)
10. Visit a homeless Veteran, talk with them, thank them for their service, and give them a care package. Here are some of the items you can include in their package. Consider putting the items in a drawstring backpack so they can easily carry it with them.

A veteran’s hat, water bottles, blankets, beanies, scarves, socks, tuna and crackers, granola bar, fruit snack or applesauce cup, crackers with peanut butter or cheese, gift certificate or card to a restaurant, wet wipes, hand sanitizer, pack of Kleenex, female hygiene products, toothbrush and toothpaste, nail clippers, Band Aids and Neosporin, chapstick, comb or small brush, mints, cough drops or gum, mini Fliers with ways the Mission can meet their needs, note of encouragement or uplifting Bible verse. (by Portland Rescue Mission)

More ideas for honoring veterans in your schools, workplaces, and more can be found here:

Honoring Those Who Served: 11 Ways to Celebrate Veterans Day

What Deployed Troops Really Want in Their Care Packages

Virtual Volunteerism at Operation Gratitude: Service You Can Do From Home

45 Ways to Honor A Veteran by The United States Department of Veteran’s Affairs

Phoenix Rescue Mission