Remember Our Veterans Today

 

My brother, Harlan, at basic training in upstate New York, from his daughter, Brenda’s, album.

She says the words on the back read: “Me and my boots and the grass so green.”

 

 

 

Remember our veterans by participating in one of the activities below.

1. Help build a home or donate equipment for a house for a severely disabled veteran with “Homes for Troops.” To get in touch with that organization go to www.homesfortroops.org.

2. Provide free transportation to medical facilities by volunteering to drive a Disabled American Veterans’ van. See www.dav.org/volunteeers.

3. Provide care for the pet of a vet who is deployed or wounded and receiving help at a VA facility. www.guardianangelsforsoldiers.pet.org. 

4. The Library of Congress is interested in recording the stories of old soldiers. Go to www.loc.gov/vets  for a kit and instructions.

5. Ship your old cell phones to www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com.www. For each one donated, the organization will pay for an hour of talk time for troops overseas.

6. Donate used DVDs to www.dvds4vets.org.

7. Have extra coupons? Military families may use expired coupons for up to six months past the due date. See www.coupsfortroops.com .

8. Contribute clothing, food and gifts for service members. They will be used to prepare gift boxes. Go to www.operationgratitute.com/volunteer.

9. Post a care package with a thank you note through the Kitchen Table Gang. Go to www.soldierpackages.org.

10. Share your expertise with a vet, financial, legal services, counseling, building etc. Go to www.milserve.org.

11. Support Big Brothers and Sisters. The organization has a program to help children with parents in the armed forces. Go to www.bbbs.org.

12. Go to Michelle Obama’s organization for vets: www.JoiningForces.gov.  

 

I found this wonderful tribute to our servicemen and servicewomen, past and present, on YouTube. Take the time to put your hand over your heart as the flag passes you in your local parade.