Last year's Veterans Day may have come and gone with little more than a news segment on television. Senior Helpers knows this year could look different. Across communities, there's no shortage of Veterans Day activities for seniors, and most of them take only an hour or two.

7 Ideas for Veterans Day on November 11

There are many Veterans Day Activities for Seniors that everyone can participate in. Here are a few you may want to try:

1. Cities and counties often hold Veterans Day programs at memorials, parks, or courthouses. Check your town office or local paper a week in advance, as times and locations may vary each year.
2. Groups like the American Legion and Disabled American Veterans offer fellowship and community for veterans, so call a local chapter and ask what it has planned for the holiday.
3. Contact the veterans you know, beginning with those who live alone and may not receive many holiday calls. Ask where they were stationed.
4. Set up cards and stamps at the dining table and invite grandchildren to help write notes to veterans in your church or local assisted living community.
5. If your husband served in the 1960s, try making a familiar supper to spark old stories at the table.
6. Dig out the album with the old service pictures and have younger relatives scan them so the copies don't get lost.

If you have the energy, organizations that serve veterans welcome volunteers, and AmeriCorps Seniors is one place to look for ways to serve.

If You're a Veteran Yourself

Veterans Day activities for seniors include restaurant deals and business discounts, and accepting them is part of the fun, so go for the free coffee they offer

Other veterans spend November 11 at a cemetery visiting a buddy, or alone on the back porch with their own thoughts. That choice deserves as much respect as marching in a parade.

Every Branch, Every Era

The veterans you know may span generations. They range from those who served in Korea and Vietnam to those who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. This includes veterans who also served during peacetime or were part of the Guard and Reserves. Spouses who kept families going during long deployments have stories too, and they're often the last to be asked. Ask them to the table this year and let them talk about those years at home.

Before You Head Out

November mornings run chilly. Dress in layers and plan the restroom stop before you leave. If a family member or friend in Pleasant Garden can give you a ride, you won't have to hunt for parking at all.

Help Getting There in High Point and Nearby Towns

Getting to the courthouse ceremony is easier when somebody else is driving and knows where to drop you off. Senior Helpers High Point provides rides and companionship for older adults who'd like to stay out and about in Asheboro, High Point, Pleasant Garden, Randleman, and Trinity. Contact us about a caregiver for Veterans Day or for an ordinary Tuesday in March.