Veterans Day 2023
The most common gestures toward veterans and service members this time of the year is a ‘Thank you for your service’ at the coffee shop or grocery store. But has the phrase ‘Thank you for your service’ become so common that it has begun to feel empty? CVN was interested to dive deeper into honoring veterans and ask veterans themselves how they feel about the phrase ‘Thank You For Your Service’, or what can civilians do and say to honor all who have served. How do veterans appreciate being thanked and honored during this special time of year?
The CVN Veterans Day Survey 2021 reported that about 58% of U.S. military veterans and current service members feel uncomfortable being thanked for their service in the U.S. military. Instead, consider these ways to honor veterans other than saying thank you.
What to say: Instead of saying thank you for your service, try these conversation starters with veterans
What branch did you serve in?
What was your job while serving?
Where have you been stationed?
What to Do:
Fly a flag
Buy a veteran a meal
Attend a parade or event
Visit a veteran’s memorial or ceremony
Learn something new about veterans
Volunteer or donate to a veteran service organization:
- Team Rubicon https://teamrubiconusa.org/
- American Red Cross https://www.redcross.org/get-help/military-families/services-for-veterans.html
- Blue Star Families https://bluestarfam.org/
- Team Red White and Blue https://www.teamrwb.org/
- Elizabeth Dole Foundation https://www.elizabethdolefoundation.org/
- Student Veterans of America https://studentveterans.org/
- America’s Warrior Partnership https://americaswarriorpartnership.org/
- American Foundation for Suicide Prevention https://afsp.org/
- The Mission Continues https://missioncontinues.org/
- Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) https://www.taps.org