It’s easy to say “thank you for your service” to an American veteran and move on a moment later.
But what about true and meaningful connection that really lasts?
For Veterans Day this year, a prominent company is hoping that Americans, no matter where they are or who they are, will go beyond the simple words of “thank you” and become “intentional in showing appreciation for our nation’s servicemembers” through a healthy act of connection.
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USAA — which serves more than 13.5 million members of the U.S. military, as well as veterans who have honorably served, plus their families — is calling for a “national moment of gratitude” on Monday, Nov. 11, at 11 a.m. local time.
The effort is part of the Texas-based company’s larger “Go Beyond Thanks” campaign. As more veterans in America struggle with mental health issues, “connecting with our veterans is becoming more important,” the company told Fox News Digital.
USAA has had the opportunity to host Medal of Honor recipients at the company’s headquarters in San Antonio, Texas. Employees are shown gathered to send them off. (USAA)
And younger veterans, in particular, often feel uncomfortable or awkward when people just say “thank you,” the company has found.
Matt Shifrin, a 20-year U.S. Army veteran who is USAA’s executive director and CEO chief of staff, told Fox News Digital in a phone interview, “There are over 17 million living veterans in the United States today. And while that sounds like a lot, there are over 300 million people living in the U.S. So there’s a bit of a divide sometimes between those who have served and those who haven’t served.”
“You might ask veterans how they’re doing.”
To bridge that divide, “we’re asking people to try to ‘go beyond thanks’ this Veterans Day and make a connection with veterans in the community,” he said — “whether it’s with teachers, police officers, or people you work with who have served.”
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One way to do that, he suggested, is by asking a veteran to share the details of his or her service.
Sgt. William Pekrul, a World War II veteran, is shown gesturing during the Republican National Convention (RNC), at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, July 17, 2024. (REUTERS/Mike Segar)
“You might ask them where they served, what they did for the country — and how they’re doing.”
In turn, veterans can reciprocate, he said — and ask others about their work, their lives, their own contributions both locally and nationally whatever those contributions might be, “even what keeps them up at night,” he said.
“I think we’re going to find that there’s a lot of similarity between the two groups,” he said.
“This is one team — and this effort can bring us together as a country.”
Another way to show gratitude: Stop by a local American Legion or VFW post or event. Drop by a VA hospital. Check in with community centers about veterans events. It’s about being intentional, said USAA.
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Still more ways are to send a text, make a phone call or visit a veteran one on one.
Maj. Gen. (Ret.) John Richardson and fellow USAA employee veterans lead over 400 USAA employees at an event in October, in which participants gain a better understanding of the military community they serve. (USAA)
Either way, the goal is to “create a meaningful and supportive connection with our veterans.”
Shifrin added, “America doesn’t work without those who decide to serve and without those who are back home doing the hard work, generating the economic engine that makes us so capable, providing support to veterans and bringing them together. This is one team — and this effort can bring us together as a country.”
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He added, “It is worth the time to engage in a little bit more than just, ‘Thank you.’ Serving is a defining moment in people’s lives and most people, we’ve found, are generally willing to talk about their service.”
He said the interaction and connection can help heal “the unseen wounds” that many veterans carry around with them.
“We’re really hoping to start building those relationships between people.”
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Added Air Force Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Bob LaBrutta, vice president of survivorship and claims at USAA, “As Veterans Day parades and celebrations dwindle compared to years past, besides thanking us for our service and providing sales discounts, we’ve found that many Americans aren’t sure how to show their appreciation for our nation’s veterans,” he noted in a statement.
Another way to show gratitude, advises USAA: Stop by a local American Legion or VFW post or event. Drop by a VA hospital. Check in with community centers about veterans events. (Francine Orr/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
He said no matter how busy, people can take a bit of time for veterans who have served the nation.
“It’s a mantra that runs deep in the military – look to the left and look to the right to make sure your battle buddies, shipmates, devil dogs, wingmen, guardians or coasties are OK.”
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More information about the campaign can be found on various social media platforms at #GoBeyondThanks.
A coalition created by USAA, Face the Fight, is also charged with raising awareness and support for veteran and military suicide prevention.
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Founded in 1922, USAA is a leading provider of insurance, banking and retirement solutions in the United States.
