Again this year, APTA and the public transportation industry will pay tribute to the nation’s veterans for their tremendous sacrifices and dedicated service on Veterans Day, Nov. 11.

To help public transportation professionals participate in this important celebration, APTA has prepared an online toolkit at its website that includes logo artwork and a suggested activities list. APTA is also asking for help in growing this list: share ideas for saluting America’s veterans and send them to Erin Cartwright.

There are never enough opportunities for people to show their appreciation for and properly thank veterans. Here are some suggested promotions and activities:

• Offer free rides to veterans and their families.
• Offer discounts on weekly or monthly passes for veterans.
• Have a drawing for free passes or other prizes.
• Have drivers/conductors pass out veterans stickers/buttons to riders.
• Work with local retailers to provide coupons to riders or discounts to people sporting your veterans buttons or stickers.
• Commit to sending one letter a week and one care package a month to a soldier deployed overseas.
• Organize a group of employees to visit veterans in the hospital to spread some cheer.
• Participate in your local Veterans Day parade.
• Hold a breakfast/lunch for your employees who have served in the military.
• Host a job fair for veterans.
• Create school activities to get local children involved (i.e. coloring contest, essay contest).
• Gather employees for a flag-raising ceremony at your facility.

While the public transit industry as a whole is honored to salute these men and women for their exemplary contributions to the U.S., individuals are fully aware that their actions must mirror their words. The best way to demonstrate gratitude, APTA believes, is by showing that public transit professionals are committed to recruiting veterans to careers in the industry while also connecting them by public transit to available services and resources.

Join APTA and the public transportation industry in paying tribute to America’s heroes on Veterans Day, Nov. 11.