Real Ways To Say Thank You To A Veteran

I wanted to share something I posted on Facebook today due to the veteran's day holiday.  Everyone seems to think just saying "thanks" to a veteran makes a difference.  Not so much.  I decided to compile a REAL list of things you can do to actually help a Veteran.

REAL ways to help a veteran any day: 

           

1. Donate to and/or volunteer at a VA hospital or an Old Soldiers Home (Armed Forces Retirement Home)  www.afrh.gov

2. Combat Veteran homelessness by participating in a Veterans Affairs "Stand Down" which are usually one- to three-day events to provide food, shelter, clothing and health screenings to homeless and unemployed veterans.  http://www.va.gov/homeless/events.asp

3. Contact your local VFW, DAV, American Legion, Military Order of Purple Heart post, MOAA and ask how you can best help Veterans in your area.  (You can give a ride to disabled veterans through the DAV!!) 

4. Making a donation or volunteer your time with Blue Star Families, Homes For Our Troops, Army Emergency Relief or another military connected charity. (Do your homework and see where the $ goes) www.bluestarfam.org  

5. Contact your local Fisher House and see how you can help military families. (Fisher House provides free or low cost lodging to veterans and military families receiving treatment at military medical centers.) You can also donate your airline miles to Fisher House!  www.fisherhouse.org

6. Send a care package to troops through Operation Gratitude www.operationgratitude.com

7. Be an advocate for veterans and military families by contacting your senators and representative for better veterans’ care.

8. Know the signs of PTSD. If you are concerned about the safety and well-being of a Veteran for 24/7 confidential support call: 1-800-273-8255, press 1 or TEXT838255 

www.veteranscrisisline.net

9.  You can even help military dogs through the following organizations: http://www.uswardogs.org/k9-care/
Operation K-9 Care Package
 http://www.supportmilitaryworkingdogs.org/index.html

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