A Veteran of Foreign Wars salutes the colors during a Veterans Day ceremony.   Photo credit: Flickr user Fort Rucker, not affiliated with Protect My Public Media.

Today, we salute those who have served and sacrificed, our nation’s veterans. Everyone has someone in their life that has served in the armed forces. Maybe it’s a sibling, a parent, a grandparent, a friend or a co-worker. Veterans Day allows us to show our appreciation for these heroes, who we know and who we may never meet, that have given up so much to keep us free.

Public television has a strong tradition of providing services and programming to help and honor veterans. It’s because stations have a unique public service mission. Stations treat vets like the important members of the community that they are. They offer help and resources when times are tough. Stations also celebrate veterans through special programming that honors and educates communities about local veterans.

An advertisement for Connecticut Public Broadcasting Network‘s veterans job training program.

In Connecticut, the Connecticut Public Broadcasting Network offers Veterans Vocational Training, a program to provide job training to post 9/11 veterans who face one of the highest unemployment rates in Connecticut. Post 9/11 vets, their spouses and family caregivers train for a career in media arts and video production at Connecticut Public Broadcasting Network’s Learning Lab.

In the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, WETA’s BrainLineMilitary.org, has military-specific information and resources to veterans, service members, National Guard, reserve and families. Through a variety of resources, those who have been affected by traumatic brain injury (TBI) can learn how to best treat TBI and family issues associated with TBI care and recovery.

Many public television stations will be airing concerts and programs to honor local veterans and respectfully educate communities about the challenges they face. For example, Maryland Public Television will be airing a musical tribute to celebrate Maryland veterans. Milwaukee Public Television viewers can watch two programs to recognize the sacrifices of Wisconsin vets. These are just a few examples of the services and programming public television stations are providing to assist and honor these local heroes. Check out your local public television’s website to see what your station does for veterans.

Today, make sure to find a meaningful way to thank veterans for their service to our country. One way you can participate is by tuning in or clicking on your public television station to watch Veterans Day programming. All of these services for veterans are available to you for a modest annual $1.35 per citizen, there’s no better investment to support veterans and their families, while also making local communities stronger.

WETA‘s BrainLineMilitary.org captures footage of Dr. Jeff Lewis carrying out a neurological exam.