Every year on November 11, Americans honor the 19.6 million active and former U.S. service members who have gone to war.
Veterans Day is marked by parades, speeches and solemn ceremonies offering a nation's appreciation.
Here are ways to go beyond saying "thanks for your service" and truly make a difference in a veteran's life -- on this day and throughout the year.
Volunteer
This online tool identifies volunteer opportunities at local VA offices. You can also join the Volunteer Transportation Network to help veterans get to appointments at VA medical facilities. You can also find ways to help veterans and their families on VolunteerMatch.
Send a care package or a letter
Operation Gratitude has sent more than 2 million individually addressed care package to the military community. The packages go to current military members as well as veterans, wounded warriors and their caregivers. As more American troops return to civilian life, the Operation Gratitude veterans program has been growing. It also has a letter writing campaign encouraging everyone to write handwritten letters of gratitude to veterans.
Support veterans suffering from PTSD
Coping with post-traumatic stress disorder can put stress on not just veterans but also their families and friends. More than a third of all Iraq and Afghanistan veterans have or will experience PTSD. And veterans of past wars are still dealing with the ghosts of their time in the service.
If you know a veteran who might be dealing with PTSD, you can connect them with helpful resources. The VA offers the PTSD Coach Online to help veterans learn to manage symptoms, come up with ways to cope and find professional help. The National Center for PTSD provides a Veterans Crisis Line by phone at 1-800-8255, by text at 838255 and by online chat at this link: Confidential Veterans Chat.
Sponsor a service dog
Service dogs can help veterans living with PTSD and other disabilities regain control, independence and mobility. Freedom Service Dogs of America match highly specialized service dogs with service members needing assistance in their transition back to civilian life.
Puppies Behind Bars is a program in which prisoners train companion dogs for veterans with PTSD. Donors can sponsor a dog and receive updates on the dog's training and life with its veteran.
Donate travel points
The Fisher House operates the Hero Miles Program, using donated frequent flier miles to bring family members to the bedside of injured service members. Hotel points can also be donated to provide hotel rooms for families of the veterans when a Fisher House is not available. The Fisher House Foundation has a network of homes on the grounds of military and VA hospitals around the country. These homes help family members be close during the hospitalization of a loved one for a combat injury, illness or disease.
Help veterans on the streets
A phone call can also make difference in the life of a veteran who is homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Call 877-4AID-VET, or 877-424-3838, to connect with help at the VA. This service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The Department of Veterans Affairs' Stand Down program is designed to help homeless veterans "combat" life on the streets. Stand Downs are usually one- to three-day events that provide food, shelter, clothing and health screenings to homeless and unemployed veterans. To find a Stand Down program in your community, contact your local VA hospital.
Build a home for severely injured vets
Severely injured veterans often come home needing a place to live that better accommodates their physical disabilities. Building Homes for Heroes builds specially modified homes for veterans that help them live independently. These homes are provided at no cost to the veterans. The organization also provides financial planning services.
Honor the greatest generation
The Honor Flight Network helps veterans of the "greatest generation" make a free pilgrimage to the World War II Memorial on the National Mall in Washington. You can volunteer to escort these men and women on the flight to see this memorial. Honor Flight also helps terminally ill veterans who served in any conflict visit memorials to those wars in Washington as well.
Share their stories
So many veterans' stories have been left untold, but the Library of Congress is collecting the tales from veterans of every war through the Veterans History Project. If you are related to a veteran or know one who has a story to tell, the Library of Congress wants to hear it. Help veterans share their stories before it's too late.
Let them know they matter
By telling a veteran how much you appreciate their service, you are letting them know their decision to serve our country makes a difference. It's a simple gesture, 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.
Bethany Hines contributed to this report.
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KINGSTON, Pa. -- Veterans Day is a day for us to pause and thank those who answered the call, and in Luzerne County, the annual Wyoming Valley Veterans Day Parade honored men and women from all branches of the military.
The parade is one of the most popular in our area. Although the temperatures may have been a bit chilly, that didn't stop people from showing their love and appreciation for veterans. The parade route was jammed for the couple miles from Kingston to Wilkes-Barre.
Our nation's colors were on full display as hundreds gathered along Market Street in Kingston.
"Just proud that I can do this and do it for all our vets," said Ray Samolis, Army veteran.
As always, the parade route from Kingston to Wilkes-Barre was full of floats, motorcycles, and even a massive military tank.
Although the federal holiday fell on a Sunday this year and is being celebrated officially on Monday, that didn't stop people from all across our area from braving the cold to support America's veterans.
"You know what these fellas went through for us, and you can't thank them enough. You know being here shows them at least some respect," said Susan Miller of Dorrance Township.
Those who served in Vietnam tell us Veterans Day is both heart-warming and emotional. When soldiers arrived home stateside back then, they were treated harshly by people. Today's climate is much different.
"The parade is great for the Vietnam vets. When they came home from Vietnam, nobody said a thank you. They actually threw things at us. We march up the street the fans, people are clapping, yelling 'Thank you.' That means a lot to a vet," said Moe Rodzinak, Coast Guard veteran.
"It's heart-warming. It's really nice. It's a good feeling. I wish we had more of it," said James Hudock, Air Force veteran.
One woman was continuously waving an American flag while wiping tears from her face. Her husband was a Vietnam veteran and she said she had to decline an interview because she'd get too emotional.
Veterans also recognize this day is a special one, given it marks the 100 year anniversary of the end of World War I.
"Pride, very proud that I'm in the United States of America and I'm able to say that I was in the Army and I served and I protected for your freedom," said Martine Columbo, Army veteran.
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DENVER -- Active duty military, veterans and their families visited Fort Logan Cemetery on Sunday to commemorate Veterans Day.
The group gathered in the snow to honor those who made the choice to serve. The group listened to various speakers, including keynote speaker Major General Michael A. Loh, the 43rd Adjutant General of Colorado. Sunday also marked the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I.
Otto Smolik served in the Vietnam War. Now he comes to Fort Logan every year on Veterans Day.
"I come here every year, it’s kind of emotional," said Smolik. "I am proud to be a veteran. I was a draftee, but I am still proud to be a veteran."
"Humbling... to think of all the veterans that have gone before. It’s also a way for me to remember my father and all my uncles who served in World War II and Korea," said veteran Bob Burnham.
Joe Dempsey was also a Vietnam veteran. He said when he returned from the war, he wasn't welcomed back like other veterans from other wars. Now, he's grateful to feel the appreciation for his sacrifice.
"The Vietnam War wasn’t a popular war. When we came home, we didn’t get the honor that other veterans get. The bottom line is: All veterans need to be honored for the service they did at the time," said Dempsey.
The group hopes people remember to thank veterans and active duty military every day for their sacrifices.
Every year on November 11, Americans honor the 19.6 million active and former US service members who have gone to war.
Veterans Day is marked by parades, speeches and solemn ceremonies offering a nation's appreciation. Veteran's Day is a day to honor all those who have given their service to our country, and loads of retailers, restaurants, and online stores have special deals, discounts and freebies for veterans as well as active-duty military (and in some cases, spouses and immediate family can qualify too).
We rounded them all up so you can spend less time searching and more time enjoying these little perks. And if you want to find even more deals and discounts on individual products, there are plenty of pre-Black Friday sales to take advantage of right now as well.
Online stores and bricks-and-mortar stores also are showing them some love as well. To thank veterans and active-duty military for their service, stores will offer special discounts to individuals with a military identification. Many businesses may also accept discharge papers, Veterans Administration cards, and veterans organization membership cards as proof of service. Some savings extend to spouses and families and many military discounts are offered year 'round or on a regular basis.
For online shopping, there's a different process for service members to get these discounts. Many retailers are using third-party verification services to confirm only eligible people are able to take advantage of these offers.
“More and more brands are giving back to the military community by providing exclusive offers to those who have served our country," said Jake Weatherly, CEO for SheerID, a third-party verification service. "We’re privileged to help brands across the country honor the brave women and men of our military, on Veterans Day and throughout the year.”.
A list of deals can be found here.
