10 Ways to Honor a Vet this Veterans Day
Every Veterans Day we show our appreciation to the men and women who have served our country and in some cases, risked their lives doing it. While the holiday falls on November 11 (observed November 10 this year), you can honor a vet anytime, and in the process, make someone’s day!
Hang a Flag
Did you know the colors in the American flag aren’t arbitrary; they actually mean something? The red, white and blue were deliberately chosen to represent a theme the founding fathers considered important to a young nation. Red stands for courage, hardiness and bloodshed; white stands for vigilance and blue stands for justice and perseverance. AmericanFlags.com has durable flags and flag kits (made in America!) and quick shipping so you can hang one from your house, in your yard or from your car.
Watch a Parade
The Denver Veterans Day Parade will host thousands of spectators along Civic Center Park and nearby streets to show respect and honor to our local veterans. The parade will represent several events in military history, including the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, WWI, WWII, the Vietnam War and recent overseas conflicts. The parade starts at 10:00 a.m., November 11 at 14th St. and W. Colfax Ave. There will be food trucks and other vendors, live music and family activities afterward from 12:00-3:00 p.m. Show up and show your support for Colorado’s servicemen and women!
Thank a Vet
How often have you seen a man or woman in uniform at the airport, the Light Rail or on the street (at the parade!) and felt the urge to thank them for their service? Do it! Everybody likes to be appreciated.
Support an Event
After veterans and disaster responders stepped up to help hurricane Harvey victims this year, the 11th annual Bob Woodruff Foundation’s annual Stand Up for Heroes comedy event with Jon Stewart and Conan O’Brien raised money to empower “our nation’s best to tackle the worst.” When you see an event to help servicemen and women, consider showing your support.
Attend a Veteran’s Day Event
World War I re-enactors will be on hand in uniform and with their collections of memorabilia at the Castle Rock Museum to celebrate Veterans Day on November 11 from 1:00-4:00 p.m. The event will honor the 100th Anniversary of the U.S. involvement in the first world war. It is the final day for the WW1 exhibit as well, so check the Castle Rock Historical Society website for more information.
Watch a Patriotic Movie
Even if you’ve never served and don’t know anyone else who has, you can immerse yourself in sacrifices of military men and women by watching a patriotic movie like Gettysburg, Glory, Lone Survivor or Saving Private Ryan.
Visit a Vet
Many homebound senior veterans are alone and forgotten. Senior Helpers can put you in touch for a visit to talk with them, thank them for their service, bring them a meal or drop off a craft (puzzles, coloring books, Sudoku books and watercolor kits).
Volunteer for Service
Lots of veteran service organizations (VSOs) support military veterans and families. These VSOs focus on issues from PTSD and suicide prevention to career transition services, temporary housing, equine therapy and everything in between.
In Castle Rock, Cowboy Up offers equine therapy to help vets deal with PTSD, and Praying Hands Ranch in Parker offers recreation and rehabilitation programs with horses, as well.
Donate to Honor a Vet
In Castle Rock, you can honor a vet by donating a vehicle to Vehicles for Veterans, a car donation foundation that accepts cars, trucks and RVs to turn around and support VSOs like Homes for our Troops, Operation Homefront and Veterans Airlift Command.
At the Fisher House Foundation you can donate your frequent flyer miles to show your appreciation for a military veteran or hotel rewards to provide free hotel rooms to the families of wounded, injured, and ill service members who are undergoing treatment.
Support a Vet-Owned Business
BuyVeteran.com can help you identify and support a veteran-owned business. This national campaign was created to trust veterans and thank them for bravely serving our country by supporting them in their small business efforts.
We Salute Vets in Crystal Valley!
Residents will be displaying the red, white and blue in the master-planned community of Crystal Valley this weekend to show their support for Castle Rock veterans. We invite you to stop by and tour the brand new model by Kauffman Homes and the amazing new home designs by Richmond American Homes and D.R. Horton. Crystal Valley homes are available in ranch and two-story models, priced from the high $300s.
