Every November, the calendar hands employers a rare opportunity. Veterans Day falls on November 11, and roughly two weeks later, the country gathers for Thanksgiving. Between those dates lies a stretch built around gratitude, and few people in your workplace have earned it more than colleagues who once served in uniform. Yet in many organizations, Veterans Day passes with a single company-wide email, and the moment is gone before lunch. It doesn’t have to be that way. By treating the weeks from Veterans Day to Thanksgiving as one continuous season of appreciation, you can recognize veteran employees in ways that feel personal, practical, and genuinely sincere.
Why Veteran Employees Deserve More Than a One-Day Mention
Veterans bring skills that quietly strengthen a workplace: leadership under pressure, discipline, adaptability, and a habit of putting the mission and the team ahead of themselves. Many have also navigated difficult transitions from military to civilian life, often while raising families or relocating.
A one-line acknowledgment on November 11 can feel like a box being checked. Extending recognition throughout the holiday season tells veteran employees their service isn’t remembered on a single date. It shows how your organization values its people year-round.
Start Strong on Veterans Day
Veterans Day sets the tone for the weeks ahead, so make it count.
- Ask before you spotlight. Some veterans welcome public recognition; others prefer privacy. A quick, confidential check-in lets each person choose how they’d like to be honored.
- Give the gift of time. Paid time off or a flexible schedule on Veterans Day allows employees to attend local ceremonies, visit memorials, or connect with fellow service members.
- Share stories, with permission. A short feature in a newsletter or team meeting, written in the veteran’s own words, builds understanding across your workforce.
- Have leadership say thank you personally. A handwritten note from an executive or direct manager carries far more weight than a generic message.
Keep the Gratitude Going Through November
The time between the two holidays is where thoughtful employers stand out. Consider spreading recognition across the month rather than concentrating it in one day.
Support veteran-focused causes. Organize a team volunteer day with a local veterans’ organization, or offer to match employee donations to groups that serve military families.
Invest in growth. Mentorship programs, leadership development opportunities, or tuition assistance show that you see veteran employees as long-term contributors, not just a holiday talking point.
Strengthen your employee resource group. If your company has a veterans’ ERG, give it a budget and a voice. If it doesn’t, November is a natural time to start one.
Listen and improve. Use the season to gather feedback on how your benefits, policies, and culture support veterans and their families, then act on what you hear.
Bring It Home at Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving centers on gathering around the table, which makes it a fitting close to a season of appreciation. Food-based gifts are especially meaningful because they extend your gratitude to the people who supported your veteran employees through deployments, training, and transitions: their families.
Instead of a standard gift card, consider Perfect Feast fresh produce gift certificates. They let recipients choose the fruits and vegetables their household enjoys, making it easy to build a wholesome holiday meal their way. Pair the certificate with a handwritten card that references Veterans Day, and the gift becomes a bridge connecting both holidays in one gesture.
A few tips for holiday gifting:
- Personalize the message. Mention the employee’s contributions to your team, not just their service in general.
- Include the whole workforce. Many companies give holiday gifts to all employees while adding a special note for veterans. This keeps recognition inclusive without overlooking anyone.
- Time it right. Deliver gifts a week or so before Thanksgiving, so families have time to plan their meal.
Make It an Annual Tradition
The most meaningful recognition is consistent. Document what worked this year, from Veterans Day events to Thanksgiving gifting, and build it into next year’s calendar. Over time, your organization becomes known as a place where veterans are valued, which also helps attract and retain talented service members entering the civilian workforce.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can employers honor veteran employees on Veterans Day? Employers can offer paid time off, send personal thank-you notes from leadership, share employee stories with permission, and support veteran-focused nonprofits through volunteering or donation matching.
Should companies publicly recognize veteran employees? Only with consent. Some veterans appreciate public acknowledgment, while others prefer private recognition. Asking first respects individual preferences.
What are good Thanksgiving gifts for veteran employees? Gifts that support the whole family work well, such as fresh produce gift certificates, meal boxes, or extra paid time off to spend the holiday with loved ones.
Why connect Veterans Day and Thanksgiving? Both holidays center on gratitude. Linking them turns a single day of recognition into a month-long season of appreciation that feels more sincere and memorable.
Honoring veteran employees isn’t about grand gestures. It’s about consistency, respect, and care, starting with a sincere thank-you on Veterans Day and ending with a gift that helps their families gather around the Thanksgiving table. When gratitude stretches across the season, your veteran employees will feel it, and so will everyone else on your team.
