SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3) – Veterans Day is Monday. And it is important to recognize the day and the service these men and women gave to our country.

Jim Downing, veteran and member of American Legion Post 676, says many people don’t recognize Veterans Day.

“A lot of people really don’t know this is coming. This hasn’t been part of the conversation lately. It comes up every year, and usually that morning is like Veterans Day,” Downing said.

There are several things you can do today to support veterans. One thing you can do is thank them. It’s an easy question.

“Kiss a veteran. I mean, letting the veterans around you know that you appreciate their service is the first thing to do,” Downing said.

Another thing you can do is be active. Veterans often struggle to access the services they need. More than 20 veterans commit suicide daily according to the VA. Being active and pushing politicians to get more funding for veterans’ services helps veterans.

“Hug a politician and don’t let go until he promises to fund veterans’ services. It’s probably much more important. Yet veterans are much more than just people who served in war. You know, many veterans are accountants, technicians, etc. So you know, they deserve a hug, but they also deserve to have programs funded for them when they leave the service,” Downing said.

Downing says veterans still need more funding for their services.

“We are not funding our own veterans services and our own armed forces in the way that they really need to be. And these are things that people just don’t think about, or often don’t talk about, or don’t want to talk about. So this is an issue that needs to be addressed, starting with embracing veterans,” Downing said.

You can also make a donation. Downing says many veterans services can still use additional funds to support veterans.

“You find organizations that do this kind of thing. We’re talking about raising awareness, getting people out of the cold alone. Now you don’t take them home anymore. You bring them to the places set up to welcome them. You not only have to have a bed, but also the services that go with it, mental health services, detoxification services, all that, medical services for a lot of them. So it’s much more important to find the people who are using your money well and then donate to them and support them,” Downing said.

Several Veterans Day events take place around the Ozarks and you can also attend today to support veterans. Branson holds its annual Veterans Day Parade at 11 a.m. The College of the Ozarks is hosting a sunrise service on Veterans Day, and you can always visit their Patriot’s Park to support veterans. Many places also offer veteran discounts.

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