There’s nothing bolder than dedicating one’s life to serving a country for the safety and well-being of the people. This Friday, November 11th, is Veterans Day. A federal holiday, Veterans Day is observed on November 11th every year. It’s dedicated to honoring those who serve or have served in the military, as opposed to Memorial Day, which honors fallen soldiers.

Honoring America’s Veterans is a nonprofit organization with a goal embedded in its name. Many Americans fail to recognize the importance of acknowledging those who serve, but their courage is the reason we have the freedom we do today. So what are some of the best ways to honor those in service? Honoring America’s Veterans lists some direct and indirect ways to show support.

On your own, you can put together a care package. If you know someone stationed far from home, you can send it to them. If not, you can contact an organization to guide you to any troops who might be in need. In these packages you can include luxury items for downtime such as games and books, as well as personal care items, non-perishable food and drinks, and handwritten letters or other personable items.

Something else to do to show your support is to visit a veterans’ hospital or a living home where past or present veterans are currently living. Most of them will greatly appreciate you taking time out of your day to visit them, and will be more than happy to share stories about their experiences.

Some ways to support veterans take little to no effort. Support businesses owned by veterans, some might need it more than you think.

The easiest but possibly one of the most meaningful ways to show support is to verbally express gratitude. If you see someone in uniform, or if you know someone who has served, all it takes is a simple “thank you for your service”. Most troops aren’t enlisted solely for the recognition, but thanking them helps them realize that their sacrifices do not go unnoticed.

As great as it is to acknowledge veterans this Friday, you can also continue to show your support year-round. These brave men and women practically give up their lives to ensure we can continue to be safe and free.

Happy Veterans Day!