Veterans Day takes place each year on November 11 and is a celebration to honor America’s military veterans and service members. At The Reserve of Geneva, we proudly recognize the patriotism displayed by many of our residents and community members who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces.
If you or a loved one is a veteran, you may be wondering what you can do to commemorate the day. Here are a few meaningful ways you can honor the veterans in your community this year on Friday, November 11.
- Fly a flag.
A simple way to show your support this Veterans Day is to display the American Flag. You can fly it high outside your door or decorate the inside of your home with miniature flags to display your appreciation to the men and women who have served our country.
- Volunteer your time.
Consider volunteering a few hours of your time during the month of November to help organizations that support veterans. From office assistance and organizing events to working directly with veterans in need, there are many ways to show your appreciation. For local opportunities, check Geneva’s American Legion Post. If you can’t donate your time, you can always give money to a charity instead. There are thousands of charities that support members of the U.S. military to choose from, including Wounded Warrior Project and The Fisher House Foundation. Charity Navigator is a great resource for finding an organization you’d like to donate to.
- Send a care package.
Get together with friends and create care packages to send to troops overseas. Include practical items like socks, deodorant, non-perishable snacks, playing cards, hand sanitizer and books. Contact the local VFW to find out if there are service members from your area who could benefit from a care package, especially around the holidays.
- Chat with a veteran.
One of the best ways to honor a veteran is to simply talk to them about their experiences. Ask them how long they served, where they traveled and what their favorite memories are. If you’re a veteran, then you know just how meaningful it is to share your service stories with a loved one.
- Shop at veteran-owned businesses.
You can support the men and women who fought for our country by shopping at veteran-owned businesses in your community. There are more than 2.5 million businesses owned by veterans in the United States. If you’re not sure where to start, search Chicago’s veteran-owned business directory to find entrepreneurs in the Chicagoland area.
- Attend Geneva’s Veterans Day Rifle Salute.
On Friday, November 11, the American Legion Post 75 in Geneva will honor veterans with a rifle salute. This year’s rifle salute will take place at 11 a.m. on 3rd and State Street.
No matter how you decide to spend Veterans Day this year, we encourage you to take the time to honor the men and women who have served in our community. At The Reserve, we are honored and proud to honor the veterans who have chosen to call our active-adult living community their home.
