While my grandfather was serving overseas in the Navy, he would write home to my grandmother, scribbling down his thoughts, sealing them up in an envelope and shipping them home, halfway around the world. I still have a handful of his letters, and I treasure them. They give me a glimpse into my grandparents’ lives and their relationship, the way my grandfather’s deep sense of duty and his appreciation for serving coexisted with his longing for the woman he loved.

My other grandfather also served in the military, as did my father. In fact, I was born on an Air Force base in Texas, and as I grew into adulthood, I was fortunate to hear stories from all of these remarkable men as I watched them build meaningful lives and careers.

Their example—of service, duty and patriotism—comes to mind every Veterans Day, but the holiday also reminds us to think about what support looks like after the uniform is put away, when a veteran is embarking on a new career, supporting a family or trying to feel at home again.

Our region is blessed to be home to a high number of veterans: There are nearly 71,000 living in Sarasota, Manatee, DeSoto and Charlotte counties, and nearly 11 percent of them are women. These numbers represent neighbors, colleagues, parents and friends.

But our area is also home to an estimated 130 veterans experiencing homelessness, and we know that many others are struggling. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs reports that 6,488 veterans died by suicide in 2024—an average of 17.7 each day. More than 62 percent of those veterans had not received V.A. health care in the year they died or the year before. The need for connection and support is real.

Here at home, organizations are meeting veterans with care, expertise and persistence. Operation Warrior Resolution, a veteran-led nonprofit, works with veterans and their families on mental health, healing and the transition to civilian life. The Community Foundation of Sarasota County has supported its work in several ways, including a recent grant to the organization’s Tactical Workforce program, which offers trauma-informed workforce development to help veterans build sustainable careers and find purpose.

We also have a remarkable place in our community dedicated to remembering service. Patriot Plaza, the ceremonial amphitheater at Sarasota National Cemetery, was created through a $12 million investment by The Patterson Foundation in partnership with the federal government. The Community Foundation manages two endowments that help sustain the plaza: One supports maintenance and repairs, and the other funds educational and engagement opportunities, including student tours, transportation and trained guides.

And during this year’s 24-hour Giving Challenge, veteran-focused organizations raised $191,247. In Punta Gorda, the Military Heritage Museum partnered with nine other nonprofits and raised $57,250 for programming that brings military history to life.

Those local efforts matter at a time when support for veterans’ nonprofits can sometimes be an afterthought. A recent analysis from the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy found that military and veterans’ organizations received 0.68 percent of all U.S. charitable giving in 2024. These organizations may be highly visible, but visibility does not always translate into broad or sustained support.

Veterans Day is an important day of recognition, but to honor veterans year-round, we must always remember to listen closely to hear their needs, and to give attention the nonprofits that stand beside them and their families.

Jessica Muroff is the President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County.