Veterans Day honors men and women who have served in the U.S. military. Families can honor veterans as well as active duty military members year round, not just on Veterans Day. Children and grandchildren of veterans have an instant connection to the holiday. Families with military members don't just honor veterans on the designated Nov. 11 holiday, they celebrate them year round, and you can, too.
Create a family tree - Create a family tree with names and photos, identifying all of the veterans in the family. This informative family history project can reveal interesting and sometimes little known stories in your family's past.
Interview your family's veterans
- Use holidays and family gatherings to informally interview the veterans in your family. Kids can use a voice recorder or video camera to preserve the memory.
Write a friendly and positive letter - Address your letter "Dear Hero" or "Dear Defender of Freedom" in an unsealed envelope. Send that inside a larger envelope to:
Attention: Letter Project
1201 S 7th Ave, Suite 50
Phoenix AZ 85007
Send personal care products
- Collect sample size toiletries you receive as free samples, from hotel rooms or when they're on sale and send them to active military personnel. You can use the Packages From Home address.- Some items you can send include toothpaste, disposable razors, tampons or band aids.
Visit a national park commemorating veterans - Our country has a rich military history with battlefields, historic parks and monuments honoring those who served. Visit a national park in your area, from Boston National Park in Mass. to Palo Alto Battlefield National Historic Site in Texas or the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington.
Homes for vets - Volunteer your time to help build Homes for Our Troops , a top-rated charity organization creating adapted homes for severely injured veterans. Volunteer opportunities include hands-on construction as well as local fundraising.
- Volunteer to give temporary care for a pet belonging to a member of the military, through NetPetsFoster.
Spread holiday cheer - by mailing store-bought or homemade cards or letters through the 2011 American Red Cross Holiday Mail for Heroes. Send your mail to:
Holiday Mail For Heroes
P.O. Box 5456
Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456
Extend your family - Remember to invite extended family members or your friends with deployed military spouses over for the holidays.
Donate blood to troops in combat - Healthy adults who are able to give blood can donate blood through the Armed Services Blood Program. The program benefits military members and their families.
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