With Veterans Day quickly approaching, it may be difficult for you to find a way to give back to your community and help local Veterans. Thankfully some of the best ways to help veterans are easily done and will leave you feeling great. Being a patriot can be taxing at times, yet we take this special day to honor those who do it far better than most; to honor those who have put their lives on the line in order to protect us.
Fly Your Flag
One of the best ways to help veterans is simply to show your support. Make sure you fly your flag every Veterans Day, or even everyday for that matter. If you own a car put an American Flag sticker on it, or a “Support Our Troops” sticker. Perhaps if you own a business you could offer a military discount, or put a sign in the window to show your support for veterans. These small acts of kindness are what let veterans know you appreciate their service to our country.
Visit a National Cemetery
We here on Cape Cod have the privilege of having the Massachusetts National Cemetery right next to Otis Air Force Base in Bourne. This is a great way to show your support towards troops who have lost their lives fighting for our safety. Growing up as a military brat, I was always very critical of the military, yet my father, who was in the Air Force for over 20 years, always told me, “Even if you don’t agree with the politics of it, even if you don’t agree with whatever war or battle we may be engaged in, you always support troops and veterans”. That is something that has always stuck with me, so I think it’s especially important that we utilize Veterans Day each year to show our gratitude towards veterans and troops, to show that we value their sacrifice.
Volunteer
This may seem like the simplest of solutions, however donating your time can be valuable to our veteran community in more ways than one. Taking the time to volunteer at veteran’s centers can mean the world to veterans. Nothing proves your support more than actually showing up and putting in the work. Volunteer at local centers, perhaps offer a veteran you know services, or help organize veteran events.
Here’s a list of places on Cape to volunteer at
1) Veterans Services Department
Veterans Organization · Falmouth Rd
(508) 778-8740
http://www.capecodveteransdirectory.com/
2) US Vet Center
Veterans Organization · W Main St
(508) 778-0124
http://www.va.gov/directory/guide/facility.asp?ID=5618
3) Cape & Islands Veterans’ Outreach Center
Non-Profit Organization · Main St
(508) 778-1590
http://capeandislandsvoc.org/
4) Heroes In Transition Inc
Veterans Organization · Great River Rd
(508) 539-1010
5) Veterans of Foreign Wars
Veterans Center · Iyannough Rd
(508) 775-9817
http://www.vfw.org/
6) Veterans Housing Program, Inc.
Veterans Organization · Willis St
(508) 992-5313
http://www.vetshouse.org/
7) VA Martha’s Vineyard Clinic
Medical Clinic · Hospital Rd
(401) 273-7100
http://www.providence.va.gov/riopc_mv.asp
Cape Cod Cares For Our Troops
Attend some events, volunteer your time, or donate to Cape Cod Cares For Our Troops. They are known for sending care packages to our troop, and supplies requested by our troops, to the children of Afghanistan and Iraq. They have a list of items on their website that are always needed, to make the donation process a little more meaningful. Visit their website to learn of other ways to serve the veterans of Cape Cod, http://www.capecod4thetroops.com/ .
Donate
Donate to any charities you can or donate your time through volunteer work, as I’ve mentioned. Regardless of how little, or how much you can give, it’s the thought and effort that counts. Letting a veteran know you are thinking about them through a simple donation, is one of the best ways to help them. Maybe you don’t have the money or supplies to donate but you would still like to do something? Find a veteran, maybe a neighbor, or friend of a friend, and bake them a pie or cake, any small gesture will be very much so appreciated, feeling welcome and accepted is a huge part of making a veteran feel appreciated on Veteran’s Day. According to Veteransinc.org, which cited a report from the Homeless Research Institute, “Veterans represent 11% of the adult civilian population, but 26% of the homeless population…”. Therefore by donating any old or new clothes to veteran shelters and centers, you can help those homeless veterans in our community.
A Listing of Veteran’s Day Events
Towns throughout the Cape will be holding Veterans Day ceremonies and tributes over the next several days. Click the below link for complete details:
By KAITLYN HOLZWORTH, CapeCod.com Intern and Barnstable High School Student
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