Mt Soledad National Veterans Memorial’s Post

Veterans Day is a special time to express our sincere gratitude to those who have served our country. Their sacrifices, courage, and dedication have shaped our nation and protected our freedoms. Here are some ways to express your appreciation: Say "Thank You": A simple, heartfelt "thank you" can go a long way. Volunteer Your Time: Support veteran organizations or volunteer at a local VA hospital. Donate to Veteran Charities: Consider donating to organizations that support veterans and their families. Learn About Military History: Educate yourself about the sacrifices made by veterans throughout history. Support Veteran-Owned Businesses: Shop at businesses owned by veterans to help them thrive. Share Veterans' Stories: Help spread awareness of the sacrifices and experiences of veterans. Attend a Veterans Day Ceremony: Participate in local ceremonies to honor veterans. Write a Letter of Thanks: A handwritten letter expressing gratitude can be a meaningful gesture. Connect with Veterans: Spend time with veterans, listen to their stories, and learn from their experiences. By taking these actions, we can show our appreciation for the sacrifices of our veterans and ensure that their service is never forgotten. Let's honor our veterans every day, not just on Veterans Day.

A Call To Action: Demand Your Senators Support the VETT Act (S.677)   Our legislative team needs your help to pass critical veterans legislation. We won’t be successful without voices like yours reaching out to your Members of Congress.    The VSO Equal Tax Treatment (VETT) Act, a bill allowing all veteran non-profits like AMVETS and the American Legion to receive tax-deductible charitable gifts, is stuck in the Senate (S.677). This bill is crucial because Congressionally Chartered Veteran non-profits cannot have more than 10 percent of non-wartime-era veterans in their membership. If they do, the IRS will no longer let AMVETS & American Legion Posts receive tax-deductible charitable gifts, like every other charitable organization in America.    And we think that’s a bunch of baloney. Veteran non-profits shouldn’t be penalized for welcoming home honorably discharged Cold War Era veterans.    Our Cold War Era Veterans are invaluable members of our Nation and the AMVETS family. The law is unfair to them and their service. This outdated rule must be changed. Your Senators are the key to passing the VETT Act, and your voice is needed to see this bill enacted. CLICK HERE TO TAKE ACTION NOW! https://lnkd.in/gGxAfixe #AMVETS #AmericanVeterans #AmericanLegion #AmVetsHawaii #Veterans #SupportOurTroops #MilitaryLife #MilitaryFamily #MilitaryVeteran #VetLife #ProudVeteran #VeteranCommunity #VeteranStories #VeteransHelpingVeterans #VeteransMatter #VeteranStrong #VeteranPride #MilitaryHero #Army #Navy #Marines #AirForce #SpaceForce #CoastGuard

In response to my original post, I received an excellent question from Michael Pihosh. “𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐰𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐯𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐞𝐧𝐝?” Here is my answer: 🇺🇸 Participate in a Memorial Day event today like a parade, ceremony, or other event dedicated to honoring veterans. Your simple presence shows support and respect for these heroes. 🇺🇸 Donate to a veteran organization that provides services and support to veterans, such as the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, the Wounded Warrior Project, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), and The American Legion. It doesn’t need to be a tremendous amount. It all adds up! 🇺🇸 Volunteer Your Time at a veteran hospital, care facility, or local event. Even a small amount of time makes a big difference. Don’t feel like this has to be a huge time commitment! 🇺🇸 Reach out to a veteran today if you happen to know one personally. A simple call or message to “check in” and express your gratitude means a lot to them. This can be a really short call. Don’t let the potential time commitment overwhelm you. 🇺🇸 Support and/or patronize a veteran-owned businesses. This helps them thrive in their post-service careers. 🇺🇸 Quickly educate yourself today on the history and significance of Memorial Day and share this knowledge with someone else to foster an appreciation of this holiday weekend. 🇺🇸 Advocate for veteran issues by using your voice toward policies and initiatives that benefit veterans, whether it’s through social media, writing your legislator, or participating in an advocacy group. 🇺🇸 Fly the flag at your home or business to honor those who have served and sacrificed. You can still do this today!

A Call To Action: Demand Your Senators Support the VETT Act (S.677)   Our legislative team needs your help to pass critical veterans legislation. We won’t be successful without voices like yours reaching out to your Members of Congress.    The VSO Equal Tax Treatment (VETT) Act, a bill allowing all veteran non-profits like AMVETS and the American Legion to receive tax-deductible charitable gifts, is stuck in the Senate (S.677). This bill is crucial because Congressionally Chartered Veteran non-profits cannot have more than 10 percent of non-wartime-era veterans in their membership. If they do, the IRS will no longer let AMVETS & American Legion Posts receive tax-deductible charitable gifts, like every other charitable organization in America.    And we think that’s a bunch of baloney. Veteran non-profits shouldn’t be penalized for welcoming home honorably discharged Cold War Era veterans.    Our Cold War Era Veterans are invaluable members of our Nation and the AMVETS family. The law is unfair to them and their service. This outdated rule must be changed. Your Senators are the key to passing the VETT Act, and your voice is needed to see this bill enacted. CLICK HERE TO TAKE ACTION NOW! https://lnkd.in/g3JN9WbA #AMVETS #AmericanVeterans #AmericanLegion #AmVetsHawaii #Veterans #SupportOurTroops #MilitaryLife #MilitaryFamily #MilitaryVeteran #VetLife #ProudVeteran #VeteranCommunity #VeteranStories #VeteransHelpingVeterans #VeteransMatter #VeteranStrong #VeteranPride #MilitaryHero #Army #Navy #Marines #AirForce #SpaceForce #CoastGuard

Honouring Our Heroes: 80 Years Since D-Day. Today marks the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings; and I'd like us to pause and reflect on the courage, resilience, and unwavering commitment of the brave men and women who stormed the beaches of Normandy on that fateful day in 1944. Allied Forces Unite: Troops from the UK, the USA, Canada, and France joined forces to launch the largest seaborne invasion in history. Their collective determination turned the tide of World War II, laying the foundation for an Allied victory. From Portsmouth to Normandy: On June 6, 1944, these heroes faced unimaginable challenges as they waded through the cold waters, dodging bullets and artillery fire. Their sacrifice and resilience paved the way for freedom and peace. Remembering Our Veterans: Today, we stand on the shoulders of giants—those who risked everything for our liberty. Let us remember their valour, their sacrifice, and their unwavering commitment to a better world. Supporting Our Veterans: Supporting veterans isn’t just about remembering the past; it’s about ensuring their well-being today. You can support this by advocating for mental health services, employment opportunities, and a strong support network for those who served. Learning from History: The lessons of D-Day resonate across generations. We must teach our children about the importance of unity, peace, and freedom. Their testimony serves as a timeless reminder that we must never take these precious values for granted. https://lnkd.in/eSuBiMy6 #DDay80 #RememberingHeroes Tim O'Keefe (FIRP) Nick Garland CDW UK Mark Murphy

Have you heard of #veteran #transitionstress? It's a common among separating #veterans when they leave the military since for many that is all they know. The hurdles they face are numerous: finding a new job, losing their military friends, finding purpose, and losing routine, to name a few. It is a challenging time, as many may not want to ask for help as they try to adapt to civilian life. Some #veterans have compared the experience to shedding their military "skin," much like Will Ferrell's character in Zoolander. As a US Navy #veteran myself, I experienced many of these hurdles, but was fortunate to find opportunities at veteran-friendly companies like Toll Brothers and Mercalis. If you know a veteran who's experiencing a recent transition, please show your support by connecting with them, giving them advice, or just asking how they're doing so they know they are not alone. And if you don't know a veteran, consider supporting some great charities that help veterans, like Mission 22, Irreverent Warriors, Inc., or The SUP Veterans. Please help make this transition a little easier for those who have served our country. #supportveterans #veterancharities https://lnkd.in/db-ARbHM

There are many ways to thank veterans, including: Express gratitude: Thank veterans for their service, sacrifices, and dedication to keeping the country safe. You can also say "thank you".   Listen to their stories: Ask veterans about their service, and let them share their personal stories. You can record their stories to share with others.   Volunteer: Volunteer at community Veterans Day events or help at senior living centers.   Donate: Donate to an organization that supports veterans.   Run or walk: Join a sponsored race that benefits the military.   Send a card or email: Send a card or email to a veteran you know, or to a military station if you don't know any veterans personally.   Make a meal: Make a meal for local veterans, or even just a plate of cookies.   Write a poem: Write a poem to a veteran to express why their service is important to you.   

!HAPPY VETERANS DAY! Today, we pause to recognize and honor the brave men and women who have served in our armed forces. Your courage, dedication, and sacrifice have helped protect our freedom and way of life, and we are deeply grateful. 🙏❤️ Let’s take a moment to reflect on their service and the challenges they’ve faced. Here are some meaningful ways to show your appreciation: Say Thank You: A simple “thank you” goes a long way. Reach out to veterans in your life and express your gratitude. 🗨️ Support Veteran Organizations: Consider donating to or volunteering with organizations that support veterans and their families. Your support can make a significant difference. 🤝 Attend Local Events: Join in local ceremonies or parades honoring veterans. It’s a great way to come together as a community and show your support. 🎖️ Educate Yourself and Others: Take the time to learn about the history and experiences of veterans. Sharing this knowledge can help foster understanding and appreciation. 📚 Share Their Stories: If you know a veteran, ask them about their experiences and share their stories. Personal narratives can be powerful and inspiring. 📖 Let’s honor their service not just today, but every day. Thank you to all our veterans for your bravery and commitment! 🇺🇸❤️ #VeteransDay #ThankYouVeterans #HonorAndRemember #VeteransDay #veteransday #VeteransDay2024 #veteransday2018 #veteransday2021 #veteransday2019 #veteransdayparade #veteransdayweekend #veteransdayeveryday #veteransdaycollection #crystalriverflorida #CrystalRiver #citruscounty #citruscountyfl #invernessfl #GodBless #Godblesseveryone #MondayMotivation #Godisgood

A premature Veterans Day post (but really, we need to be talking about military folks, veterans, and their families all the time anyway): “Thank you for your service” doesn’t hold the camera while someone blows out candles for a birthday celebration you can’t make. It doesn’t cheer on the sidelines for the countless goals scored, songs sung, or tunes played, at every missed kids’ event. “Thank you for your service” doesn’t stand at the foot of the graves of your brothers and sisters in arms who gave their lives. It doesn’t check in on and support those who continue to wage a private war of their own back at home. “Thank you for your service” has never, not even once, healed a wound - neither the ones that bleed nor those that are invisible. “Thank you for your service” is what we who have not served say because there are no other words sufficient to mark the cost of service for those who do. It’s a reminder to ourselves that we get to live our lives as we do because of those who have chosen an often more challenging path. But where words may fall flat, actions never do. We honor service by donating our time and/or money to groups that serve veterans. By advocating for policies that improve the quality of life for veterans and their families. By remembering that even after Veterans Day has passed, our words of thanks alone have not repaid the debt we owe them. #AlmostVeteransDay #Veterans #MilitaryFamilies

When a photo says 1,000 words. This photo was shared by my sweet friend, Jenny Lynne Stroup & it hasn’t left my mind since seeing her original post. Pictured is the USS DWIGHT D EISENHOWER CVN 69 with its lights off & at rest after returning home recently from a very long, extended deployment… …& then extended again. Directly next to it is the USS Harry S. Truman with its lights on & ready to roll out. Here’s the thing - Deployment’s don’t stop. This is an example of only 2 US Navy aircraft carriers swapping out on mission. At this moment, the U.S. has over 200,000 military personnel deployed. 200,000 service members away from their family, friends, & loved ones. 200,000 service members families “holding down the fort” & just waiting for the day their service member comes home. When one unit comes home, another unit heads out. Rinse & repeat. *Deployments don’t stop.* Support for our service members can’t stop. Resources MUST be constantly fueled & on the ready. Nonprofits & organizations supporting the service members that keep us sleeping peacefully at night are constantly needed. If you ever needed a sign or red flag stating WHY military support organizations are NEEDED…this is it. 🚩 Because deployments don’t stop. **I encourage you to pop over to Cassidy Norman’s posts & read a bit more into what the Ike’s deployment looked like for its crew. Hint - “…the most intense & sustained combat at sea since World War II.” Believe me, you’ll want to read the rest. #operationgratitude #supportourtroops #nonprofit #socialimpact #giveback #volunteer #remembereveryonedeployed Operation Gratitude