Thank You Veteran Card Writing Tips

Whether it’s Veterans Day, the 4th of July, or any ordinary day, a thank you veteran card is one of the kindest ways to let a veteran or military member know they are remembered. If you don’t know any personally, don’t worry, I’ve got a list of five ways to find local veterans groups to send American Greetings cards to. And be sure to download your free copy of Writing Tips for Cards to Veterans.

At a glance: Simple tips for writing a thank you card to a veteran, from an Air Force veteran and the daughter of a Vietnam veteran. Download the free Writing Tips for Cards to Veterans PDF right from this post, no sign-up needed. Use it to write your card in four parts: a greeting, your thanks, a little about you, and a warm closing. It works for families, kids, and card-writing stations at a 4th of July or Veterans Day gathering.

This post was originally sponsored by American Greetings. All opinions are always my own.

Thank You Veterans 

We can never thank our veterans enough. Many veterans feel awkward when thanked because we don’t know how to respond. But as the daughter of a Vietnam veteran, I want to encourage you to thank as many veterans as you can. It’s something that too many veterans haven’t heard enough. Those same veterans that express their discomfort at being thanked often also say that they appreciate the sentiment.

As a veteran that has been sent far away from family and friends, I know firsthand how meaningful it is to receive a card of thanks and support. And I’ve seen how much it means to other active duty members and veterans.

It’s particularly meaningful to make a connection with veterans in your community or state. You can contact these organization to find veterans in your community to send thank you veterans cards to:

• Veterans Affairs Hospitals
• Your Nearest Military Base
• Honor Flight Network
• VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars)
• The American Legion

Thank You Veteran Card Writing Tips

You can download a free copy of Writing Tips for Cards for Veterans for tips to help you write your card. Sign up for my free newsletter and the tips sheet will be sent directly to your inbox.

Start with a salutation that is natural for you. You don’t have to be too formal. Think about how you will address the veteran. Many veterans feel uncomfortable being called brave or a hero, so instead address them as “veteran” or “fellow American.” More tips are shared on the writing tips cheat sheet.

Express your thanks to them sincerely, but be careful not to go overboard. Keep in mind that the veteran may feel uncomfortable being thanked since they were “just doing their job.” A simple, sincere thank you says it all.

Share a little about yourself and family. Share how your family will be celebrating the 4th of July, Veterans Day, or whichever day you are sending your card.

Have children draw pictures or write a simple note. There is nothing more innocent and sincere than a note from a child. It’s always greatly appreciated because who doesn’t love a child’s note or drawing?

If you’re attending a cookout or party for Independence Day, or a Veterans Day gathering, you can set up a veteran thank you card writing station. Provide:

• Copies of the Writing Tips for Cards for Veterans
• Thank you and appreciation cards
• Pens
• Paper and crayons or markers for children
• Names and addresses if you gathered them in preparation
• A box or large envelope to collect general thank you cards to mail to a veterans’ organization for them to disseminate

If you’d prefer, you can take the time to write thank you veteran cards at home with your family and discuss why it’s important for your family to take the time to say thank you. It’s a great opportunity to talk about service to community and country, ways to support those who serve, and your family’s values.

What to Write in a Card to a Veteran (Sample Messages)

Staring at a blank card is the hardest part. Here are a few lines you can borrow, organized in the same four parts as the free writing tips sheet. Pick one from each part, then add a sentence that sounds like you. That personal sentence is the part a veteran will remember.

Greeting

• Dear Veteran,
• Hello, fellow American,
• Dear [first name], (when you know who will receive it)

If you don’t know the veteran’s branch of service, skip “Dear Soldier,” “Dear Sailor,” “Dear Marine,” or “Dear Airman.” “Dear Veteran” fits everyone.

Thank You Veteran Card FAQs

More Ways to Thank a Veteran

• Thank a Veteran Cards, Free Printable: printable cards to pair with these writing tips.
• Thank Our Veterans Free Printable: an easy gift envelope to thank a veteran on Veterans Day or any time.
• What to Donate to a Veterans Hospital: ideas to go along with the cards you drop off.

For all my posts about veterans and the military, look in the table below. You can scroll though the table and look for ideas or search for specific ideas with the magnifying glass in the upper right-hand corner (on desktop). Click on the topic and then click through the specific article.