3 Easy Ways To Say Thank You To Our Veterans

Today is Veterans Day, a day we remember and say thank you to those who've served and given their lives to protect our freedoms.   I decided to ask my friends who are veterans if they suggested any ways civilians like myself might be able to say thank you.  The first two below are organizations that were very near to their hearts, and were suggested by multiple people.  I also included some additional links.

We wouldn't have the lives and freedoms we have today without our soldiers and veterans.  Please make sure to thank them today!

A SOLDIER'S CHILD BIRTHDAY FOUNDATION
The photo above is of a young boy name Christian, son of Staff Sgt. Marc Golczynski, accepting his father's flag at his funeral.  Marc's friend Daryl Mackin realized that Christian would never again receive a present from his father, and that there were children all over the country who would never again receive a present from their fathers or mothers who had lost their lives defending our country.
Christian’s father wrote this in a letter to his mother shortly before he died in combat:

"We are warriors… we fight and sometimes die so that our families don’t have to… Stand beside us."

The goal of A Soldier's Child Birthday foundation is to do just that- stand beside fallen soldier's families.  They aim to honor the memory of the parent by giving a meaningful gift to his/her children on their birthday.  If you'd like to help, you can do so here.

 ---------------------------------------------------

WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT and THE SOLDIER RIDE

The Wounded Warrior Project assists soldiers who've been injured in action.  Being into triathlons and endurance events, I especially have a heart for the sporting portion of this group. It was great to see the soldiers with the Wounded Warrior Project running at Ragnar Tennessee last weekend.

Next year I hope to ride during another event of theirs, The Soldier Ride.  These rides take place around the country (including Nashville), and raise funds for the project.  If you'd like to donate or participate in a ride, you can do so here.
---------------------------------

Special Operations Warrior Foundation
Special Operations Warrior Foundation provides scholarships and counseling to families and children of fallen or severely wounded special operations soldiers.   You can donate here.

A friend of mine let me know her husband lost his best friend last year in the well publicized Blackhawk helicopter crash, leaving behind his wife and four children- one who had only been with his daddy four weeks of his life.  The Special Operations Warrior Foundation gave his children scholarships.  As she put it so well, "It is strange to have it so close to home.  I think what most do not realize is the compounded effect of the loss of one life. It's not just the families, it's the brothers and friend as well.  Much like a pebble in the lake the ripple is huge! "


-----------------------
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS (http://troopssupport.com/)
This site contains links to several organizations that support our troops, including Operation Mom, Hugs for Heroes, and others.

It just takes a few minutes to give back and say thanks today!