Thank a Veteran

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Thank a Veteran
How to Thank a Veteran for Your Happy Life Nine Ways

Thank a Veteran Today

Studies show that people living in democratic nations are happier overall than people in countries with other forms of government. When countries also achieve domestic peace, strong judicial systems that enforce the laws and a prosperous and educated middle class, citizens are not only happier, but more peaceful overall. This according to Dr. Thomas Barnett in his book, The Pentagon's New Map.

It is easy to take the gift of democracy, domestic peace, and relative prosperity for granted. It is easy to forget to thank a veteran. Yet our democratic freedoms and domestic peace are a precious gift in every sense of the word.

When we acknowledge that gift with true gratitude, we increase our own happiness even more. According to Dr. Robert Emmons, the emotional benefits of gratitude require more than just acknowledging the benefit of a gift. Real gratitude includes the realization that someone sacrificed, or went out of their way, to provide us with something we did not completely earn ourselves. When it comes to our freedom, literally millions of people we do not even know have sacrificed on our behalf- sometimes with their very lives- to bring us this gift. You can thank a veteran for your happy life.

Here are nine ways you can express your gratitude for the gift of freedom, peace, prosperity and happiness by honoring veterans in the United States.

How to Thank a Veteran

1) Send a message
The most requested item from the 250,000 US troops deployed overseas is a letter with words of encouragement and appreciation, even from a total stranger. Write or email a service person today to express your appreciation.

2) Send Protective Gear
A letter is the most important thing to send, but if you have the funds to add more, this web site has lots of good recommendations based on requests from soldiers. From weapons cleaning kits to eye wear to socks for combat boots, find high quality gear here and a connection to a platoon that needs it.

3) Send Care Packages
There are several agencies that send care packages to soldiers in the field based on the things they need. Here are three good ones. Be sure to read the instructions as there are items that can not be sent- like home baked goods or large size toiletries.

The American Red Cross . They will also send Holiday Greeting Cards.
The USO is a Congressionally chartered non-profit organization, not part of the Government.
Military Missions has suggestions for care packages you might make yourself, including a list of the most requested items.

4) Send Small Stuffed Animals to Help our Troops Support Children
www.anysoldier.comThere is NO more effective ambassador for our country than a Soldier helping the local folks. Local kids love these.

5) Welcome them When They Return
When you see a soldier on the street, or in a plane, let them know you appreciate their efforts and you are glad to see them back home. If you know a vet, let them talk about their experiences to show that you care about what happened to them.

6) Hire Them
Absences from tours of duty, injuries, disabilities, and perceptions about vets can all make it difficult for vets to go back to work. Hire a vet or post a job here.

7) Help Them Get Back on their Feet
Many vets need help recovering from wounds and war caused disabilities. Here are some organizations that help. usacares.org USA Cares is dedicated to helping post 9/11 veterans with a hand up not a hand out. Volunteer opportunities, cash donations.

8) Help Care for them When they are Disabled
The Disabled American Veterans Charitable Service Trust is dedicated to building better lives for our nation's disabled veterans and their families. This organization has a 4 star Charity Navigator Rating, which means they have very low administrative costs and spend 90% of their funds directly on disabled vets. Another 4 star organization is Homes for our Troops. They specialize in building adaptive homes for severely disabled veterans at no cost to the soldier.

9) Help their Families While They are Away
The American Red Cross supports military families as well as troops. Another 4 start organization supporting military families is Fischer House is another 4-star charity devoted to helping the families of soldiers in the field.

Whether you donate your write a letter or card, donate your time, or money or all three -

Thank a Veteran for Your Happy Life.

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How to
Thank a Veteran
with www.anysoldier.com
This was the best support site for current soldiers in the field that we found.

You Can
Donate Time, Money, or a Message to the Troops
with any of these excellent organizations.

The USO is a congressionally chartered non-profit organization, not part of the Government.
Military Missions has suggestions for care packages you might make yourself, including a list of the most requested items.
Anysoldier.com- send letters, emails, and care packages to soldiers in harms way. Started by the mother of a serviceman and a vet herself. This site also has a link for frequently requested military gear to supplement what the armed forces provide.
www.ourmilitary.milGovernment site with links to other organizations that help troops in the field.

Charity Navigator
to make the most of your donations. Find the organizations that spend the most helping people and the least in administration.

You Can
Thank A Veteran
After their return
with any of these excellent organizations.

http://hirevetsfirst.dol.gov Hire a vet or post a job here.
Disabled American Veterans Charitable Service Trust is dedicated to building better lives for our nation's disabled veterans and their families. This organization has a 4 star Charity Navigator Rating.
usacares.org USA Cares is dedicated to helping post 9/11 veterans with a hand up not a hand out. Volunteer opportunities, cash donations.
The Order of the Purple Heart This is another congressionally funded charity like the USO. They help veterans after they return and have a big focus right now in helping with medical care.
Homes for our Troops specializes in building adaptive homes for severely disabled veterans at no cost to the soldier.

You Can
Thank A Veteran
by Helping to Support their Families
with any of these excellent organizations.

The American Red Cross . The Red Cross supports families as well as troops in the field. You can donate or volunteer your time.
Fischer House is another 4 star charity dedicated to helping the families of American Soldiers.