Some veterans return home from war and still have a difficult battle to face, recovery from brain injuries, the loss of a limb and post-traumatic stress disorder make returning to daily life as a civilian an uphill battle.

Regardless of their experience in the military, whether serving in a combat area or doing logistics in the States, Veterans Day offers non-military people a chance to thank anyone who served in any capacity in the military.

There are many ways students can help out:

1. Give a ride
   • Disabled American Veterans provides free transportation to people who need assistance traveling to a Veteran Affairs medical facility. Volunteers transport people to and from the center.
   • Some people also go as far as donating a car to a veteran in need. Sandra Bonds donated a 2012 Toyota Camry to Jason Higgins this past August to help him fulfill his dream of traveling across the country. “I met Jason at the VA center almost six years ago,” said Bonds. “All he talked about was how he wanted to buy a car so he could travel around the country and see what state had the prettiest sunrise and sunset,” said Bonds, “I knew I had to do something to fulfill his wish.”

2. Donate frequent flyer miles
   • The Fisher House Foundation provides homes all over the country available to family members of veterans so they can be closer during the hospitalization process. They operate the Hero Mile Program, a program that helps donate frequent flyer miles to family members who need help getting closer to their loved ones.

3. Help build them a home
   • Aside from needing medical attention, injured veterans often need a home that better suits their disabilities. Homes for our Troops, an organization that helps build modified homes at no cost to the veterans, and helps veterans live more independently with their disabilities.

4. Share their stories
   • Everyone has a story to share. Veterans’ stories haven’t had the chance to be told yet, but the Library of Congress has started the Veteran History Project, a collection of veteran’s tale from the war.
   • Jake Ashburn, accounting junior, shows his appreciation by volunteering at the local VA center every year on Veterans Day. “My grandfather spent a lot of time in centers like this when I was growing up,” said Ashburn. “When I come here and listen to all the stories these people have to share, I can’t help but feel proud and get the urge to tell everyone,” said Ashburn.

5. Say thank you
   • Simply say ‘thank you’ to veterans both casually dressed and dressed in uniform.

6. Offer Free Meals
   • Six restaurants in Wichita Falls offer free meals to veterans on Veteran’s day: Chili’s, Applebee’s, Cotton Patch, Denny’s, Golden Corral and On the Border. Each location has a select menu for veterans and active military to choose from, free of charge.
   • “This year is our 15^th Annual Golden Corral Military Appreciation Veteran’s Day meal,” said Drew Cormode, assistant manager at Golden Corral in Wichita Falls. “We want to show our thanks to all veterans by offering them a free meal, as well as 10 percent off for friends or family,” said Cormode.

With hundreds of thousands of veterans in the United States, it’s important to take time to thank them for their services, becoming their efforts, the United States wouldn’t be the country it is today.