4 Ways Families Can Thank Veterans Nov. 11

Looking for ways to have your family celebrate Veterans Day Nov. 11?

Veterans Day is a federal holiday meant to honor America's military veterans. The date is significant because the Armistice with Germany went into effect in 1918 on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11 month, for all practical purposes putting an end to World War I. The day was known as Armistice Day until 1954 when U.S. veteran organizations successfully lobbied to have it changed to Veterans Day.

We have four ideas on how your family can honor veterans for Veterans Day, whether you have veterans in your family, or simply want to thank those in your community who have served.

And if you are a veteran?

THANK YOU for your service.

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1. Attend a Veterans Day event.
The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum will be hosting its annual Veterans Day Event on Thursday, November 11 to honor the men and women who serve in the United States Armed Forces.

The day’s activities include live musical entertainment, a civil war encampment, a military vehicle display and a program honoring all branches of our military.

Ritchie Valens Recreation Center is having a DRIVE-THROUGH ONLY live event celebrating Veterans Day on Thursday, November 11th as well.

More information on our events calendar.

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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.

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3. Visit a VA Hospital or Veterans Home
If you have a Department of Veterans Affairs Hospital or veterans home near you, call ahead to see if visitors are allowed so you can stop by and say thank you in person in a safe way. If visitors are not permitted, ask how else you can share your thanks this year. 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 with Operation Gratitude to write letters to those serving. 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.

Veterans Organizations in the San Fernando Valley West

Please call and verify participation and drop off.

Sepulveda VA Medical Center

16111 Plummer St, Bldg 22, Room 219, Sepulveda, CA, 91343

(818) 891-7711 Ext. 36183

Veterans Resource Center - College of the Canyons

26455 Rockwell Canyon, Valencia Campus, Bldg X9, Santa Clarita, CA, 91355

(661) 362-3469

Veterans Home of California, Ventura

10900 Telephone Rd, Ventura, CA 93004

805-659-7500

VA Chatsworth Vet Center