7 Ways to Honor Veterans Using Programmable LED Signs

Show appreciation this Veterans Day with heartfelt messages and offers displayed on programmable LED signs.

Every November, businesses across the U.S. proudly display their gratitude to the brave men and women who have served in the military. Veterans Day is a moment of reflection, respect, and appreciation. For business owners, it’s also an opportunity to show genuine support for veterans and their families through thoughtful gestures that go beyond a simple social media post.

One of the most effective ways to do this is through programmable LED signs. These signs can communicate messages that can touch hearts and bring communities together. By displaying Veterans Day greetings, local event details, or special discounts, you can use your LED sign to make a visible impact right in your neighborhood.

Unlike static banners or paper posters, these devices grab attention day and night. And with mobile app-controlled LED signs, creating, updating, and personalizing your messages has never been easier. You can type out a heartfelt thank-you, add animated graphics, or schedule Veterans Day messages ahead of time from your phone.

What Veterans Day Means for Businesses

Veterans Day, observed every November 11, honors those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. It’s a reminder of courage, service, and sacrifice. As of early 2025, there are approximately 16.2 million veterans in the United States, representing a significant part of local communities and the workforce.

For businesses, this day provides a meaningful chance to express gratitude and strengthen community ties. A sincere message or small act of recognition can go a long way in showing veterans that their service is valued.

From retail shops and restaurants to gyms and car dealerships, many businesses participate by offering discounts, hosting appreciation events, or simply displaying messages of thanks. And since people pass by digital signage daily, your message of appreciation can reach a broad audience effectively and respectfully.

How to Use LED Signs to Honor Veterans

Using programmable LED signs during Veterans Day allows you to spread gratitude while promoting your business in a meaningful way. Here are creative ways to use your LED display to connect with veterans and your community.

#1 Display Heartfelt “Thank You” Messages

Start with the simplest yet most impactful gesture: a message of gratitude. Phrases like “Thank You, Veterans, for Your Service” or “Proud to Honor Our Heroes” can create an emotional connection with passersby.

You can even personalize messages to include your local veterans’ organization or nearby military base. The brightness and visibility of an LED sign ensure your message is seen by everyone, day or night, rain or shine.

If your sign is controlled via a mobile app, you can easily change messages throughout the day. For instance, you might start the morning with “Honoring Our Veterans” and update it in the evening to “Thank You to All Who Served.” Small changes like these make your display more engaging and thoughtful.

#2 Promote Veterans Day Discounts or Freebies

Offering exclusive deals to veterans is a classic and appreciated way to give back. You can use your LED sign to advertise discounts or free items for veterans and active military personnel.

Examples include:

• “Veterans Get 20% Off All Week!”

• “Free Coffee for Veterans – November 11 Only!”

• “Military Appreciation Sale: Thank You for Your Service!”

If your business has limited space for text, you can scroll or animate your messages to include both gratitude and offer details.

Be sure to display your promotion at least a week before Veterans Day. Early visibility helps veterans plan their visit while showing that your business genuinely honors their service.

#3 Share Local Veterans Events or Resources

Your LED sign can serve as a mini community bulletin board. Partner with local veteran organizations, schools, or city offices to share information about Veterans Day parades, ceremonies, or charity drives.

For example, you can post:
“Join the City Parade – Veterans Day, 10 AM Downtown!”
or
“Support Local Veterans at the Community BBQ – Saturday 12 PM!”

These messages not only help spread awareness but also show your business is involved in community support beyond profit. It’s a genuine way to demonstrate civic pride and respect.

#4 Feature Employee Veterans

If you have veterans on your team, highlight them! Use your LED sign to feature brief messages like “Proud to Have Veterans on Our Team” or even spotlight individual employees with their permission:
“Honoring John D., U.S. Navy Veteran – Thank You for Your Service!”

This personal touch humanizes your business and builds stronger relationships with your customers. It also shows respect for your own team’s contributions, reinforcing a culture of appreciation.

#5 Display Patriotic Visuals and Animations

Your LED sign doesn’t have to rely on text alone. You can add visual elements like waving flags, stars, eagles, or fireworks animations. Simple red, white, and blue patterns can make your Veterans Day display stand out even more.

LED signage with moving visuals is more likely to increase viewer engagement compared to static displays. So, if you want to grab attention and make a patriotic statement, a few subtle animations can make your message shine.

#6 Create a “Message Wall” Campaign

Encourage your customers to share short messages of gratitude for veterans, then display them on your LED sign. For example, you can collect messages on social media or in-store and feature one every hour on November 11.

Examples:

• “My Dad Served in the Marines – Thank You, Heroes!”

• “In Honor of All Who Served – From the Johnson Family”

This approach engages the community and creates a collective tribute. It turns your sign into a living wall of appreciation.

#7 Schedule a Countdown to Veterans Day

Build anticipation by using your LED sign to count down to November 11. Start a week early with messages like “5 Days Until Veterans Day – Honoring Our Heroes Soon!” It’s a great way to keep your signage fresh and remind everyone to prepare for the celebration.

If your LED display can be programmed via mobile app, you can pre-schedule all your countdown messages in advance. That means less stress and more time to focus on your Veterans Day activities.

Final Thoughts

Veterans Day is a time for gratitude and reflection, but it’s also a valuable chance for businesses to participate in something bigger than commerce. Using programmable LED signs, you can create meaningful connections through heartfelt messages, special offers, and community involvement.

These signs allow you to express your appreciation publicly and creatively, showing that your business stands with the men and women who served. With the right message and a bit of planning, your LED sign can light up more than your storefront; it can inspire pride, unity, and respect across your entire community.

So as November 11 approaches, take a moment to prepare your mobile app-controlled LED sign. A few well-chosen words and a glowing display can say what words alone sometimes can’t: “Thank you, veterans.”