Direct answer: Yes, you can thank active-duty military on Veterans Day, but it’s typically more appropriate to acknowledge and thank veterans for their service on Veterans Day, while separately recognizing active-duty personnel on occasions like Armed Forces Day or through ongoing support. If you want to express appreciation specifically to someone who is currently serving, focus on respectful, specific thanks and actions that support them. Guidance on how to do it respectfully

• Use accurate language: say “Thank you for your service,” or “Thank you for your dedication and sacrifice” rather than generic phrases. This distinction helps when addressing active service members versus veterans on Veterans Day.

• Personalize your message: mention how their service has impacted you or your community, or acknowledge the risks and commitments involved. For example, “Thank you for your brave service and for keeping our country safe.”

• Pair words with action: consider writing a note, volunteering with veteran support organizations, donating to veteran causes, or supporting families of active-duty personnel. These tangible acts often carry more weight than words alone.

• Be mindful of context and timing: Veterans Day is the primary day to honor those who have served (veterans), while Armed Forces Day is a better time to thank those currently serving. If you’re unsure, a simple, respectful thank-you with a note of appreciation for their service can be appropriate in either setting, but tailor the sentiment to the situation.

Examples you can adapt

• For an active service member: “Thank you for your service and bravery. I’m grateful for your commitment to our country.”

• For a veteran on Veterans Day: “Thank you for your service and sacrifices. We’re grateful for all you’ve done for our country.”

• For a group or the community: “We honor and thank all veterans and thank those in active duty for their ongoing service.”

Important notes

• Avoid phrases that imply celebration of military actions without context; keep the tone respectful and specific to service and sacrifice.

• On Memorial Day, shift to honoring those who died in service; on Veterans Day, recognize all who have served, and on Armed Forces Day, thank those currently serving.

If you want, share a little about the person you’d like to thank (their branch, role, or a memory), and a tailored message can be crafted.