Don't just say "thank you" to a veteran, DO "thank you" to a veteran

11-11-11 is more than a neat number day, it's also Veteran's Day. Originally a day to remember and celebrate Armistice Day as the end of WWI, it's now a day where we thank those that have served in uniform.  After 10-years of war, America has a lot of young veterans--many of them dealing with the wounds of war (both visible and invisible).  This is not an easy process. Statistically, 18 veterans commit suicide everyday.  It is a crisis.  When veterans reintegrate back into their local communities, it's easy to feel alone in a sea of people because the support structure they had in the military is no longer there.  The people whom they could talk to about what they'd been through are no longer easily accessible.

So, on this Veteran's Day, I just want to reach out and say please do more than take advantage of sales and discounts. Verbal thank-you's are nice, but why not get involved? It's apolitical, and it doesn't take too much. There are ways to help our veterans, especially our wounded ones.

The Fisher House: Providing support to troops and their families as troops recover from wounds. You can donate, or if one is near you, you can volunteer to help keep up the house, cook food, etc.

The USO: Most everyone knows the USO provides entertainment for troops, but they have many more programs too! There is likely a way to volunteer to help at an area near you and in a way in which you feel comfortable.

Soldier's Angels: This crew offers various ways to help current service members and veterans and families of those who have lost a family member to combat.

Team Red, White, and Blue: In full disclosure, I'm very close to this one and run (volunteer) the "triathlon team" side of it. We're young, but growing fast. Our entire goal is to help wounded vets reintegrate into their communities. It's all about relationships and friendships. The community benefits from the veteran, and the veteran from the community. Soon, we'll be working to get wounded vets (especially those with PTSD and mTBI) get involved in sports as a way of healing and growing community by training alongside other Team RWB athletes. BT is a supporter and huge help to us, and for that we're grateful. Fundraising or donations are great, just joining up with us and getting involved in your community w/vets is the most important. If interested in how to get involved, shoot me a PM or an email at [email protected]

Operation Homefront: They provide a variety of support services from food assistance, to medical care, home repair, financial assistance, etc.  Volunteers are always needed.

There are many more I could list. It could be as simple as heading down to your local VA or Veteran's Home and sitting and listening.  It could mean going to your local VFW or American Legion and asking them if you can do something to help out.  You can go to Joining Forces, a White House initiative, to find a way to help out in your local area.  I guess what I am just asking is this: don't just say thank you, DO thank you; don't just wrap a yellow ribbon around your tree or slap one on your car, instead, wrap your arms around a vet.  It's not all about money either--volunteering is even MORE important and means just as much to the veteran and their family. 

To those of you have served or are serving, THANK YOU for your sacrifice.

Please DO NOT respond to this with political comments. This is not about a "side," it is about people, some of which truly need our help.  DO respond if you work with a Veteran Service Organization, VA, etc. so we can get more options for service out there!

The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by our nation.
George Washington