Honoring Our Veterans is a grassroots movement with the mission of highlighting, recognizing and aiding veterans to thank them in some small way for the sacrifices they have made to ensure our freedom. See this video in which Tim Walz honors Iraq war veteran David Mahlke with medals that were actually long overdue:
Today, we regard WW II veterans as senior citizens, but it is crucial to remember that also these brave men were once vibrant and young individuals who gave their best years (and many also their lives) for our country and the freedom we have today. Check out this tribute to all those who we honor as they fought the Nazis in Europe and the world.
Honor Flight
Honor Flight is a non-profit that’s set up with the single purpose of honoring our nation’s veterans for the sacrifices they made to keep out country and the world safe. Honor Flight is working hard to offer all of our great heroes the opportunity to visit our nation’s Capital, Washington, DC, and go over reflections at the memorials.
Honor Flight is giving top priority not only to senior veterans, the WW II survivors but also to those veterans that have serious issues or are terminally ill. They are entitled to this as they are the ones who truly understood what it meant and means why we fight. To learn more about Honor Flight, or to locate a hub in your area or be a part of this amazing mission, please visit www.HonorFlight.org.
Want to take action, too? It’s as easy as red, white, and blue!
Red: I’ve got a few minutes. What can I do to help?
Easy! Virtually “hug a hero” by leaving a heartfelt message at Info@HonorOurVeterans.org. Your messages will be sent to veterans leaving on an Honor Flight voyage, or those who are on the waiting list. Your words, like the words of Minnesota Governor and educator Tim Walz, mean the world to these brave men and women!
Also, consider taking a few minutes to learn more about the mission of Honor Flight. Is there a way you can get involved? If you were to make a donation, would your company match it? Do you know any Boy Scout or Girl Scout troops or church groups looking for a community service project? Do you know a veteran whose name needs to be on the list to go?
White: I’d like to help veterans in my community. Where should I start?
Great! Veterans are everywhere and they are often easy to spot. They can often be seen wearing clothing (hats, shirts, jackets, vests, etc.) that denote their service. They sometimes drive cars with Purple Heart, Prisoner of War, or Disabled Veteran license plates.
Some of them are organized in VFW posts. They are our friends, neighbors, church members, teachers, relatives, and more. Start with a handshake and a sincere “thank you.” Invite them to community events, have them speak at your child’s school, attend Veteran’s Day events and invite them along.
Keep yourself informed on veteran’s issues and encourage your elected officials to support legislation that helps our veterans. Consider volunteering for a group that supports veterans – you can find easily a list of links to various organizations’ sites online.
Blue: I want to dedicate my time to honor our veterans. How do I get involved?
Thank you for helping us honor those who dedicate themselves to our freedom. They appreciate it and ask for so little. For more information about Tim Walz, an avid advocate of veterans rights, check out this post.
Consider serving as a guardian on an Honor Flight trip. Guardians are people who pay their own way to D.C. for the honor of helping veterans around the city to see their memorials. Visit www.HonorFlight.org to locate your closest Honor Flight hub and submit an application to accompany these heroes on an upcoming Honor Flight trip. No special expertise is necessary – just a desire to do what you can to help these heroes enjoy their trip of a lifetime. See also: Tim Walz on education issues.
Ask the hub how you can get involved – there are opportunities year-round to help with everything from fundraising to organizing the trips to putting together reunion events for the veterans involved. Honor Flight is a rewarding organization to be a part of, and the veterans it serves are some of the most wonderful men and women you will have an opportunity to meet.