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11 Original Ways to Honor the Troops

Writing letters to troops is a great thing, but you might feel like doing something different this time around. I mean, how many times can you draw that American flag inside of a heart, right? That's why we jotted down some ideas that show some true originality.

Bring flowers to a soldiers' cemetery.
Adopt a soldier you know. If you know someone shipping out or currently deployed, get a group together and stick to a schedule of keeping constant contact with him or her.
Donate DVDs or CDs to soldiers abroad. Everyone just needs some entertainment to help them chill.
Host a potluck to honor veterans and servicemembers. Invite troops to the event, and organize which civilian guests will bring which dish.
We know you're a GLEEK/Band Geek. Get your musical group to perform at a local veterans hospital.
Collect thank you's for the troops and display them at a public event. You could use a projector to show the messages at a football game, after a religious service, during a school assembly, etc.
Create a memorial for fallen troops that everyone in your community can view.
Lead a presentation for younger grades in your school. Present facts about PTSD and other veteran issues that your audience can help fight.
Use chalk to cover the sidewalks with creative messages of thanks near a military base or a veterans facility.
Start a blog where soldiers can send in testimonies and experiences for your online audience to read.
If you're still set on mailing letters, include something extra—stuff in current feel-good news articles, magazine clippings, or maybe even paper planes.