1. Help an expectant military mom. Nothing relieves a soldier’s worries than knowing his family is supported back home. Soldiers’ Angels Baby Brigade is a nationwide network of individuals who sew, knit, and create gift baskets to support new and expectant mothers whose husbands are deployed. To donate, visit soldiers- angels.org/Baby-Brigade-Team.html.
2. Write a letter. Remind veterans and their families that you’re thinking about them and appreciate their commitment to our nation. Write a letter to a deployed soldier, a wounded warrior, or a veteran through OperationGratitude.com or a military family through Operation Appreciation sponsored by Blue Star Families at www.bluestarfam.org.
3. Support their furry friends. Raise money to go toward fostering pets of active duty service members, wounded warriors and homeless veterans. Guardian Angels for Soldier’s Pet is a non-profit organization that finds qualified foster families to care for pets while soldiers are deployed or when military families transfer overseas. The foster families also care for pets whose warriors have died.
4. Contribute to Paralyzed Veterans of America. This organization supports veterans who suffer from a spinal cord injury. Participate in one of the organization’s sporting events or fundraisers, make a monetary donation, or collect and donate needed items. For more information, visit www.pva.org.
5. Assist disabled and wounded veterans. Volunteer at your local Veterans Affairs hospital or help disabled veterans whether running errands, doing yard work, or providing transportation. Contact www.dav.org for more information. Also, check out the Wounded Warrior Project for other ways to help.
6. Help them call home. Veterans of Foreign Wars supports and assists military veterans and their families through a variety of programs, including Operation Uplink. The program enables service members and hospitalized veterans to make free calls back home to loved ones for three days each month. Go to www.VFW. com to find out how you can make a donation.
7. Aid service dogs. PAWS Assistance Dogs Naples trains dogs to serve disabled veterans. You can volunteer to help the organization by running a fundraiser; assisting with puppy training; fostering a puppy cadet; assisting with administrative tasks, or helping to spread the word about PAWS. Monetary donations are also always needed. For more information visit www.pawsassistancedogs.org.
8. Clip coupons. Don’t toss your expired coupons! Military families stationed overseas can use coupons for up to six months past the expiration dates. Visit www.coupsfortroops.com for drop-off sites or to find out where to mail your coupons.
9. Donate DVDs. DVDS4Vets is a non-profit organization started by Dr. Richard Landis, an orthopedic surgeon who helped build clinics in Afghanistan, and James F. Nicholson, who served as an Air Force pilot in Korea between 1950 and 1953. Landis and Nicholson saw a need to provide basic entertainment for veterans who returned home with traumatic brain injuries and other serious wounds and were undergoing long-term rehabilitation. To donate used or new DVDs to veterans, visit www.dvds4vets.org.
10. Send a care package. Soldiers who are serving far from home look forward to receiving mail. Visit Anysoldier.com to learn how to send a letter and what is appropriate for care packages. To help support a veteran who does not have family to assist in the transition to home and civilian life, check out the Adopt a Veteran program through SoldiersAngels.org. Adopting Angel volunteers make a 12-month commitment to send a letter each week and a small gift once a month, tailored to the veteran’s specific needs.
11. Support Honor Flights. Collier County Honor Flight transports local veterans to Washington, D.C., to visit the memorials dedicated to honor their service. Volunteer to act as a guardian for a veteran during the trip to Washington or simply show up to the airport when the plane lands to welcome them home. For more information, visit www.collierhonorflight.org.
For more ways to thank a vet, visit www.kidsthankavet.com.
To learn more about PTSD click here.
Great Resources for Military Families:
https://themilitarywallet.com/memorial-day/ Discounts offered all year long and some for Memorial Day.
211.org for Veterans
http://www.211.org/services/veterans
Career Network Resources for our Veterans
https://www.veteransadvantage.com/benefits/jobs-and-career-network
The HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing
https://www.va.gov/homeless/hud-vash.asp
Using a Relocation Calculator (A How-To Guide)
https://www.angieslist.com/articles/how-use-relocation-calculator.htm
Checklist: VA Mortgage Loan Document
https://www.militaryvaloan.com/checklist.htm
VA Home Loan Calculator
https://www.mortgagecalculator.org/calcs/va-loans.php
Moving Companies Offering Military Discounts
https://www.move.org/military-discount-moving-companies/
Documents Needed to Sell Your House
https://www.redfin.com/resources/documents-to-sell-a-house
Family Services and Resources Near You
https://feedourvets.org/family-services-resources-near-you
Military Buddy Finder from VetFriends.com
Veteran Healthcare Resources
http://veteranscominghome.org/health-resources/
7 Important Medicare Facts That Every Veteran Should Know
https://www.medicareadvantage.com/resources/medicare-for-veterans
Mental Health Resources for our Veterans Families
https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/veterans-military/
Veterans’ Mental Health & Well-Being
10 Tips for Keeping a Relationship Strong During Deployment and Separation
3 Communication Tips for Deployments
https://militaryshoppers.com/3-communication-tips-for-deployments/
International Phone Plan Options During Overseas Deployment
https://www.verizonwireless.com/solutions-and-services/international/
Military Care Package Ideas: What To Put In A Care Package
Post-Deployment Adjustments Military Couples Face
https://www.liveabout.com/post-deployment-marriage-challenges-2357141
A Guide for Veterans on Creating a Peaceful At-Home Atmosphere After Returning Home
https://www.homeadvisor.com/r/veterans-guide-to-creating-a-peaceful-home/
Freelance journalist CHRISTA MELNYK HINES, daughter of retired USAF SMSgt. Walter Melnyk, is thankful for all of our veterans and their families for their sacrifices and service.
Photography by Deanna Sakal.