Donate Stuff to Veterans in Honor of Their Service

The easiest way to #honor those who served this Veterans Day is to #clean out and #declutter a drawer, #closet, room or #storage space; find still-useful clothing and household items that you no longer need or want; and #donate them to ClothingDonations.org. A driver will arrive at your home on the scheduled day and whisk away that extra #junk, leaving you with a tax-deductible receipt and all the extra #space you rediscovered. It won’t take long to gather several bags or boxes for #pickup, so you can still make the Veterans Day #parade, memorial or banquet after you purge. #VeteransDay

Observe Veterans Day With a Good Movie

Want to honor the nation’s #veterans with a little entertainment and education? Have a veteran-themed movie night. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences suggests 10 iconic films that depict the #military experience that are widely available through streaming services, including The Grand Illusion, The Best Years of Our Lives, Platoon, The Thin Red Line and Born on the Fourth of July. Forbes adds Full Metal Jacket, Apocalypse Now and Patton to the list, noting that “supporting veterans can take many shapes, including charitable #donations, hiring veterans at your business and supporting sober foreign policy.” #VeteransDay

Vets Get Special Discounts on Veterans Day

Lots of restaurants, retailers and resorts will be offering discounts to #veterans and active-duty military personnel this year on and around Veterans Day, according to Military.com. If you have served, you can take advantage of a free entrée at Olive Garden, Red Lobster or Outback Steak House, or get a free cup of coffee at Biggby, Peet’s or Casey’s. Amazon, Publix and Target are offering 10% off to veterans on all purchases, or you can get a free car wash. Simply show your military ID or VA benefits photo ID card to prove your status. Don’t yet have a VA card? Visit VA.gov to get one. #VeteransDay

Honoring Those Who Served on Veterans Day

Established in the aftermath of World War I, Armistice Day commemorated the armistice with Germany, which ended the war on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918. Renamed in 1954, the holiday has expanded to recognize military veterans from every U.S. conflict as #Veterans Day.

Events around the country will feature parades, speakers and moments of silence in recognition of veterans. One of the biggest this year will be held at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 11 to mark the 40th anniversary of the dedication of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) will stage a “Massing of the Colors” at The Wall in the run-up to the main ceremony, bringing color guards from chapters and state councils across the country to salute to veterans lost and surviving. VVA will also participate in one of the largest annual ceremonies, the annual wreath-laying at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.

Companies employing veterans can get in on the act, Military.com says, by treating them to lunch, recognizing their sacrifice in a company newsletter, sharing stories of their service with clients and vendors, recognizing their families, or engaging in a day of community service on veterans’ behalf. Contact a local veterans service organization (VSO) to plan an event.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers a handy guide to Veterans day activities if you’d like to stage your own observance. From a full-on ceremony including guest speakers, posting of colors and Taps, to classroom activities, musical programs and poster contests, all can garner respect and #honor for the nation’s veterans.

You can make your Veterans Day observance more personal if you know of a friend or family member who has served. Send a card, volunteer to take them to the local parade, or invite them out to dinner in gratitude for their service. They’ll appreciate the gesture!

And remember, every #donation you make to ClothingDonations.org helps fund essential veterans programs and events like the ones mentioned above. Schedule a free, #contactless #donation #pickup today!

Helping Veterans Year-Round

With Veterans Day 2021 now officially complete, remember that there is a way to help #veterans of the armed forces throughout the country every day of the year: By donating to ClothingDonations.org and the Vietnam Veterans of America. #Donations of lightly used clothing and household items are resold at thrift shops, with the proceeds going toward veterans health care, housing, advocacy and more. Donations are tax-deductible and VVA’s pickup service offers a way for donors to quickly get rid of any unwanted stuff that’s #cluttering up the home.