5 ways to say thank you to veterans on Memorial Day

Memorial Day might signal the start of summer for many, but it’s also a holiday for honoring those who have served our country. This Memorial Day, take a minute to say thank you to all of our veterans with any of these unique ideas:

1. Write a handwritten letter
A handwritten letter may be simple gesture, but it holds a special meaning that is unmatched by an email, tweet or Facebook post. If you know a veteran, or even the family of a veteran, write them a letter that explains how appreciative you are of everything they have done for our country. You can even consider becoming a pen pal to a service member that’s overseas as a simple way to show your support. Receiving a letter of love and gratitude in the mail when you’re far away from friends and family can mean the world.

2. Send a care package
Along with thank you cards, you can show your support by sending a care package to a veteran. Gather together toiletries they may need, along with something like freshly baked cookies, a framed picture, a an item of clothing, some music or even a blanket. Whatever you include in your care package is sure to brighten the recipient’s day and let them know how thankful you are.

3. Attend a parade
Gather your friends and family and attend a local Memorial Day parade in your hometown. This is a fun way to pay tribute to all of the veterans in the area. Bring a small American flag to wave around as you watch these honored men and women pass by on cars and decorative, patriotic floats.

4. Donate to charity
There are plenty of organizations that have formed to help out wounded veterans, such as Disabled American Veterans, the Wounded Warriors Project and Soldiers Angels. You can either donate your time or money to supporting these organizations as a way to say thank you.

5. Talk to a loved one
If you have a veteran in the family, set aside time to sit down and talk to them about their time in the service. Simply listening to their stories is a way to show your gratitude and appreciation for the things that they have done for this country. If you don’t have a loved one who was in the service, you can visit a local nursing home and spend time talking and listening to the veterans who no doubt have some incredible stories to tell.