Veterans Day — Nov. 11 — is a day to honor and commemorate the brave men and women who have honorably served in the U.S. military during wartime and peacetime.

According to data from the Department of Veterans Affairs, surveys from the Pew Research Center and the U.S. Census Bureau, there were more than 18 million living military veterans in the U.S. at the end of 2023.

Of those, 72% are age 50 and older, and many served during wartime.

Military personnel make significant sacrifices to protect the freedoms Americans enjoy each day, and it’s vital that those efforts are never forgotten.

According to federal officials, 37% of living veterans are age 70 and older, and these brave individuals must face the challenges of aging, as well as some chronic injuries that might be traced to their time in the military. That makes helping aging veterans an especially worthy endeavor, and those interested in doing just that can consider the following ideas:

• Offer your expertise free of charge. Working professionals can help aging veterans by providing advice or services free of charge or at steep discounts. For example, accountants can offer to prepare and file aging veterans’ tax returns free of charge or, if the returns are complicated, at steep discounts. Financial advisers can visit a local veterans hall or home and speak to members or residents about managing money after retirement.

• Invite veterans over for special events or gatherings. The Department of Veterans Affairs reports that veterans who served in the last 30 years make up the largest number of living veterans. Though there are still plenty of veterans who served prior to 1994, they may no longer have extensive social networks as more and more aging veterans die. Social connections are vital to long-term health, and researchers at the Center for Healthy Aging at Penn State University found that adults between the ages of 70 and 90 who reported more frequent, pleasant social interactions exhibited improved cognitive performance in the ensuing days. Individuals who want to help aging veterans can invite them over for special events, such as game watches, holiday gatherings or even weekly family meals.

• Pitch in around the house. Whether they suffered injuries during their time in the service or not, many aging veterans face the same physical limitations as others approaching or past retirement age. Offer to help aging veterans around the house. Mobility issues can make it hard to mow a lawn, tend to a garden or clean the interior of a home. Such tasks are made much easier when others pitch in, and these gestures can be a great way for families to show their appreciation to the brave individuals who protected the freedoms Americans enjoy each day.

There’s no shortage of ways to help aging veterans, many of whom could use a helping hand as they navigate their golden years.

Did you know?

Each November, millions of people recognize the service and sacrifice of military veterans on Veterans Day. Initially commemorated as Armistice Day in 1919, it was renamed Veterans Day in 1954 and is a federal holiday throughout the country.

Some other tidbits:

When is Veterans Day observed?

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs notes that Veterans Day is always observed officially on Nov. 11 regardless of which day of the week that happens to be.

Why is Nov. 11 so significant?

Nov. 11 is a significant day in world history because it marks the signing of the armistice between the Allies of World War I and Germany at 5:45 a.m. Nov. 11, 1918. Though the formal peace treaty, the Treaty of Versailles, was not signed until 1919 and hostilities between the sides continued for hours after the armistice was signed, the day is still viewed as the end of World War I.

What distinguishes Veterans Day from Memorial Day?

The VA notes that Veterans Day honors all individuals who served honorably in the military during both wartime and peacetime. Memorial Day is a day to honor and remember military personnel who died in the service of their country, particularly those who lost their lives in battle or as a result of wounds sustained in battle.

What is the significance of red poppies?

Red poppies are ubiquitous on Memorial Day, but they’re also visible on Veterans Day. Though it’s not taboo to wear red poppies on Veterans Day, it’s a tradition that aligns more with Memorial Day. That’s because the poppies are typically worn to honor fallen military personnel. A 1915 poem written by Canadian Lt. Col. John McCrae referred to the fields of poppies growing around the graves of World War I soldiers in Flanders.

Do other countries honor their military veterans?

Many countries across the globe honor their military veterans, and many do so on Nov. 11, as well. For example, Canadians and Australians observe Remembrance Day in honor of their nation’s respective veterans on Nov. 11. Great Britain observes Remembrance Day on the Sunday nearest to Nov. 11.