6 Ways to Honor Veterans around Southeast Metro Atlanta this week

Veterans Day activities, local events and veteran discounts and and around McDonough

Veterans Day is a federal holiday meant to thank and honor America's military veterans, all those who served honorably in the military (U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, National Guard, and Coast Guard) in wartime and in peace. In 1919, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11th as Armistice Day to remind Americans of the tragedies of war. This was one year following the signing of the armistice that ended World War I (11 a.m. on November 11, 1918). The day became a federal holiday in 1938. In 1954, U.S. veteran organizations successfully lobbied to have the name changed to Veterans Day.

Know a Vet in Crisis? Call the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255 (Press 1), send a text to 838255, or visit their website to chat with someone at any time.

And if you are a veteran?

THANK YOU for your service. We hope you feel appreciated and honored today and always.

Looking for a family activity in Henry County for Veterans Day?

There are several ways your family can observe Veterans Day, whether you have veterans in your family, or simply want to thank those in your community who have served. Additionally, many restaurants offer free meals on Veterans Day to members of the military.

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1. Attend a Veterans Day parade or service
Many communities have a Veterans Day parade or other events to honor their veterans. Take your family! Your support, simply by your presence, means a lot.

🎖️ Veterans Day Information Session at Fortson Library on November 9
🎖️ Veterans Day at Heritage Park in McDonough will have a ceremony to honor the military veterans at The Veterans Wall of Honor 11/11 at 11.
🎖️ Hampton Veterans Day - The City of Hampton and the American Legion are hosting a ceremony at the Hampton Train Depot at 11:00 a.m. on 11/11.
🎖️ Walk of Heroes Conyers - There will be a public program in Conyers at the Veterans Walk of Heroes Memorial with Commissioner Mike Roby of the Georgia Department of Veterans Service at 11:00 a.m. on 11/11.
🎖️ Veterans Day Celebration in Stockbridge (RSVP by 11/08)
🎖️ Veterans Day Concert in Griffin
🎖️ The 41st annual Georgia Veterans Day Parade will take place at The Battery Atlanta at 1100hrs (11:00 a.m.) on Saturday, November 12th.
🎖️ A National Ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery is held each year on November 11th at 11 a.m. . The traditional event is held at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to commemorate not only the end of World War I, but also to honor all of those members of each of the military who lost their lives while serving their country.

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2. Fly a flag
Put your American flag out on Veterans Day and fly it for all to see. This is a day of celebration, not mourning, so your flag should not be flown at half mast. To get your youngest ones involved, decorate for the day by putting small flags into the ground and line your sidewalk.

Many towns, like the city of Hampton, put out flags and crosses to honor veterans. It is touching to drive through and see the rows of red, white, and blue representing these service men and women.

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3. Visit an elderly veteran in your community
Ask your church or a local senior home if they know of any veterans who could use a visit. What is a simple thank you to you, can mean the world to someone else.

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4. Write a thank you note
Sit down with your child to make a card or write a letter for a veteran you know. Getting a card in the mail brightens everyone's day. Don't know a veteran? Drop cards off at your local VA Hospital or veterans home if allowed, or team up organizations like A Million Thanks and Operation Gratitude make it easy to send letters to men and women in the military. Once registered, they will email you a letter-writing guide, printable coloring sheets for children, and instructions for shipping the letters to them for distribution. A Million Thanks is currently looking for holiday cards and letters which must be sent to them by Dec. 1.

5. Pack a care package

Your family can create a care package to send to a service person overseas. You can send it to a family member, a friend, or someone you’ve never met. Men and women in the military love to receive packages from people back home. Here are some useful tips on how to pack and what to include in care packages. Below are organizations who can help you provide care packages for troops.

AdoptaPlatoon Soldier Support Effort (BBB, GS)

Any Soldier Inc. (CFC, GS)

Comfort for America's Uniformed Services (CFC, GS)

Eagle's Watch Foundation (CFC, GS)

For the Troops (GS, State of California Charity Registry)

Forgotten Soldiers Outreach, Inc. (The) (GS, Florida Department of State Division of Corporations, http://search.sunbiz.org/Inquiry/CorporationSearch/ByName)

Hugs Project (The) (CFC, GS)

Landstuhl Hospital Care Project (CFC, Independent Charities of America)

Little Patriots Embraced (CFC, GS)

Military Missions in Action (BBB, GS)

Montana Supporting Soldiers (GS, United Way of Lewis and Clark County)

Operation: Care and Comfort (CFC, GS)