Remarkable Ways to Use a QR Code for Veterans Day Celebration
Celebrate the service of military veterans in meaningful ways using a QR code for Veterans Day.
Every Veterans Day, communities across the nation pause to honor the estimated 18.6 million war veterans who have served in the United States Armed Forces.
Although ceremonies and parades remain powerful traditions, technologies such as QR codes help create new opportunities to preserve and share veterans’ legacies in meaningful ways.
Whether it’s commemorating loved ones, sharing veterans’ stories, or connecting veteran communities with resources, QR codes provide a simple yet powerful way to help honor and celebrate their actions.
Learn how to use and create one using a custom QR code generator below.
Table of Contents
What Veterans Day symbolizes
Veterans Day is observed every November 11th of the year, a date chosen to mark the armistice that ended World War I in 1918. At the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, fighting ceased, and the world began to hope for lasting peace.
What began as Armistice Day later became Veterans Day in the United States, expanding to honor all who have served in the Armed Forces past and present.
This day is considered a reminder to pause, reflect, and give thanks to the men and women who dedicated themselves to protecting the nation’s freedoms.
Communities show their appreciation through parades, ceremonies, and moments of silence, but the heart of Veterans Day lies in recognizing the sacrifices veterans have made for the sake of the country.
9 creative ways to use QR codes for Veterans Day
Let's bridge the gap between technology and remembrance. Here are some ways a QR code generator with logo integration can add depth and engagement to Veterans Day celebrations:1. Message cards
A simple card can mean a lot, but QR codes make it even more personal and impactful. Imagine them receiving a card with a QR code tag that, when scanned, opens a heartfelt, customized video greeting card with a message of gratitude from a grateful citizen.
These personalized, Veterans Day themed video messages are also useful for sharing stories of inspiration, such as a short video or written reflection about how a veteran has touched your life or strengthened your community.
Aside from that, they can also offer words of encouragement, allowing citizens to reveal a personal note of support that reminds veterans their service and sacrifices are never forgotten.
With just a quick scan, these message cards become more than a simple greeting; they become personal messages of gratitude that connect people across generations.
2. Share veteran stories
Imagine scanning a veteran QR code at a local event and then hearing the voice of a military veteran personally sharing their story.
These firsthand recordings can bring history to life, helping us better understand what service truly means and what veterans have endured during their time in the army.
By using an MP3 QR code to share each veteran’s story, you can help preserve their history while allowing listeners to hear their experiences firsthand.
Video QR codes can even expand on this further, showing people mini-documentaries or personal reflections that showcase the impact of service on veterans’ lives.
Together, these digital tools transform remembrance into something interactive and deeply personal, ensuring that veterans’ voices continue to be heard and celebrated across generations.
3. Connect veteran communities
Using QR codes during Veterans Day is also a great way to help veterans connect with others in their community.
By linking QR codes directly to social media platforms or online forums, they help veterans connect, share experiences, and find support.
One of the simplest solutions for this is an all-in-one Link Page QR code, which can host up to 49 social networking sites in a single place. Imagine creating a central hub where veterans and their families can easily access social groups, forums, and support organizations, all from one scan.
You can hand out posters with the QR code during Veterans Day events or at community centers or post its digital copy on veteran-focused websites.
This makes it a powerful tool to spread awareness and foster connections between veterans and the communities that honor them.
4. Online memorials
Online memorials offer a powerful way to honor and remember deceased veterans, especially on Veterans Day.
With the use of Veterans Day QR codes, these tributes can become more accessible than ever, linking directly to a digital gallery that includes photos, stories, and the service history of the Veterans themselves.
Setting up an image gallery QR code for the memorial is simple, and it allows you to create a dedicated tribute page that allows anyone, anywhere, to learn about that veteran’s life and legacy with just one scan.
Note: Veterans Day honors all those who have served. On the other hand, Memorial Day specifically honors those who died in military service.
5. Museum exhibits
Museums are increasingly using military QR codes to bring veteran and military exhibits to life, offering visitors a deeper and more interactive experience.
With file-sharing QR code solutions, archives filled with letters, diaries, and official records can be digitized and converted from a PDF to QR code that make them more accessible to the public.
By placing QR codes alongside artifacts and displays, museums allow visitors to go beyond what’s displayed on the exhibit; reading original documents, exploring detailed histories, and connecting more personally with the stories of those who served.
This added layer of access helps preserve history while ensuring that veterans’ voices and experiences remain vivid for future generations.
6. Fundraising
If you’re looking for other meaningful ways to celebrate Veterans Day, then why not consider donating to the organizations that support veterans and their families?
Using a QR code for non-profit organizations like the Fisher House Foundation and the Disabled American Veterans, you can easily donate money to help support the millions of war Veterans found throughout the US.
Nonprofits often distribute brochures and event flyers with QR codes on them that you can scan to connect directly to secure platforms like PayPal or Venmo, letting you donate instantly.
This method also works in conjunction with the ALA (American Legion Auxiliary) poppy program, which distributes red crepe-paper poppies in exchange for donations.
By including a digital wallet QR code with the paper poppies, people can make a cashless donation directly to the ALA with just one quick scan.
Supporting these causes through donations not only honors the sacrifices of veterans but also ensures their legacy lives on in a tangible and impactful way.
7. Educational games and quizzes
Bring an element of fun and interactivity to the Veterans Day 2025 celebration by using QR codes that link to online games or quizzes about the holiday’s history and significance.
Through the use of tools like Google Form QR codes, you can easily create a quiz filled with questions about the Armistice and Veterans Day, covering its origins and the many contributions of veterans.
Whether it's displayed at events or used for educational purposes in classrooms, these interactive QR codes during Veterans Day can help students explore new facts, test their knowledge, and walk away with a deeper appreciation for the day and the heroes it honors.
8. Historical sites scavenger hunts
Using Veterans Day QR codes, you can even organize a community scavenger hunt where each scan reveals clues, stories, or directions to the next stop.
Location QR codes can help make this possible by guiding participants from one landmark to another, turning the experience into a journey of discovery.
And by placing them at key sites like monuments, memorials, or community spaces, these codes invite people to take the time to listen and learn about war veteran stories, transforming a simple activity into a meaningful way to honor veterans.
9. Make digital time capsules
Many surviving veterans still hold onto priceless pieces of war history: letters, photographs, diaries, service records, and other mementos that reflect their service and sacrifice.
As part of the Veterans Day commemoration, why not offer them the perfect chance to help preserve those treasures in a lasting way?
With a Landing Page QR code, veteran communities can come together to compile these keepsakes into a digital time capsule.
Scanned documents, audio reflections, and even short videos can all be gathered in one place, ensuring their stories are remembered and passed down to future generations.
A single QR code then becomes a gateway to their legacy, allowing families, schools, and communities to connect with these firsthand accounts as a living tribute to those who served.
How do I create a QR code for Veterans Day?
Have any of these ideas sparked your inspiration? If you’re planning to create your own Veterans Day QR code, here’s a simple guide to help you get started:
- Choose the best free QR code generator you can find online.
- From the list of options, select the QR code solution that suits your needs.
- Choose between static and dynamic QR.
- Paste or upload all the necessary information.
- Click ‘Generate QR code.'
- Customize the QR code to fit your theme.
- Download and display it!
Reminder: Always test your QR code before and after posting it online or printing it in materials.
Veterans Day QR code use cases
From schools to museums, QR codes are transforming how we honor, learn, and celebrate veterans.
Here are some inspiring examples of how different communities and companies use these versatile tools to commemorate Veterans Day:
Bay Village City schools on Veterans Day: Using QR codes to share personal stories
In Bay Village, Ohio, Veterans Day turned into a community-wide celebration of gratitude.
At Bay Middle School, library media specialist Melissa Wolfe and teacher Cassy Hunt helped students sit down with local veterans to record personal interviews.
Those stories were then turned into posters lined with QR codes, so anyone walking the halls could scan and listen to the veterans’ voices firsthand. It was a moving way to connect generations and make history feel alive.
Other schools in the district joined in as well. Westerly Elementary built an “Our Stars in the Fight for Freedom” Honor Wall filled with names of family veterans, while Normandy Elementary crafted stars and listened to veterans share their own stories.
Together, these projects showed how creativity, education, and technology can come together to honor Veterans in ways that keep their legacies alive all year long.
Wreaths Across America: Using QR codes to send wreaths in honor of the fallen
One of the most touching traditions each year is Wreaths Across America, a nonprofit dedicated to placing wreaths on the graves of fallen Veterans throughout the US during the holiday season.
To make participation easier, Wreaths Across America has embraced technology by making customized QR code cards.
With just a quick scan, supporters can immediately sponsor a wreath online, whether they’re at a community event, visiting a cemetery, or learning about the mission through printed materials.
By removing barriers to action, Wreaths across America QR codes help more people get involved, ensuring that every wreath laid represents not just remembrance, but also the living gratitude of the community these Veterans had fought for.
UW-Platteville’s QR Code Tour: Honoring Veterans Through Story
The University of Wisconsin-Platteville introduced a new way to honor service members and veterans by making a QR code memorial tour across campus.
The project highlights the stories of 71 local veterans, ensuring their legacies live on and remain accessible to students, staff, and the wider community through five QR codes that include detailed biographies, photos, and personal stories.
The tour was described as a “labor of love” by those who curated the content, emphasizing the importance of remembering both fallen heroes and today’s service members.
By blending tradition with technology, UW-Platteville has created a memorial of remembrance that keeps the spirit of Veterans Day alive throughout the year.
Sterling Heights memorial: Honoring veterans across all generations
In November 2024, Sterling Heights unveiled a new memorial outside City Hall that honors generations of service, starting from World War II to Iraq and Afghanistan.
Created with input from local veterans, along with the support of Councilman Henry Yanez, and the craftsmanship of Clinton Township’s Lincoln Granite, the monument features bronze medallions for each branch of the U.S. military.
What makes it especially unique are the ceramic tiles embedded with QR codes. By scanning, visitors could explore the history of each conflict, learn about the sacrifices made, and gain a deeper appreciation for veterans’ contributions.
The new memorial blended tradition with technology, not only honoring the past but also ensuring that the courage and stories of veterans will continue to inspire future generations.
Home Depot: Veterans Day discounts via QR codes
Home Depot is well known for its year-round support of the military community, offering a 10% discount to active-duty service members, veterans, National Guard, reservists, and military spouses.
To make the process even simpler, the company uses QR codes as a fast and secure way for veterans to verify their status and redeem Veterans Day military discounts, whether shopping in-store or online.
This Veterans Day, any US veteran can scan QR codes displayed in stores or on promotional materials to instantly access a webpage where they can confirm their eligibility and unlock exclusive Veterans Day deals.
This streamlined approach not only makes shopping easier but also reflects Home Depot’s broader commitment to honoring veterans.
Sailor Jerry’s Veterans Day Freebies
At select food trucks in Denver, Austin, Nashville, and Kansas City, civilians were able to scan an on-site QR code which allowed them to donate directly to a nonprofit organization called “The Independence Fund”.
After a quick QR code donation, customers would receive a complimentary Veterans Day free meal, turning technology into a tool for community support.
For veterans, active-duty service members, and their families, the celebration was even sweeter. By presenting a valid military ID, they were offered free Veterans Day food along with other special menu items featuring Sailor Jerry Ironsides BBQ Sauce.
Combining QR code donations with heartfelt giveaways, Sailor Jerry made the Veterans’ Day celebration simple and impactful.
Woodlawn Elementary School Veterans Day Celebration: Attendance QR codes
Located in Virginia, USA, Woodlawn Elementary School organized a Hall Parade to honor military veterans and active service members with its students.
They simplified the event registration process by providing a Google Form QR code on their website.
Once interested participants scan the QR code, they can open a form to register for the event.
Those currently serving or previously served in the military and are attending were encouraged to wear their uniforms to lead the parade.
The National Veterans Memorial and Museum (Columbus, Ohio): Interactive exhibits with QR codes
The National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Ohio offers visitors an interactive experience through QR codes.
Each exhibit features QR codes that allow visitors to access additional content, such as video interviews with veterans, personal stories, and detailed information about military artifacts.
By scanning these QR codes, visitors can learn more about the history of American veterans and their contributions to the country.
This use of technology enhances the educational value of the museum’s exhibits, offering a more immersive experience for those visiting the museum on Veterans Day.
The National Veterans Memorial and Museum (Columbus, Ohio): Interactive exhibits with QR codes
The National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Ohio offers visitors an interactive experience through QR codes.
Each exhibit features QR codes that allow visitors to access additional content, such as video interviews with veterans, personal stories, and detailed information about military artifacts.
By scanning these QR codes, visitors can learn more about the history of American veterans and their contributions to the country.
This use of technology enhances the educational value of the museum’s exhibits, offering a more immersive experience for those visiting the museum on Veterans Day.
Woodring Wall of Honor and Veterans Park: “The Huey, the Workhorse of Vietnam” exhibit QR code
The board members of the Woodring Wall of Honor and Veterans Park celebrated Veterans Day for a week in 2022.
The week’s most significant event was the Veterans Day ceremony at the Stride Bank Center arena. Five chosen veterans received the Legacy Veteran of the Year Award, with one honored for making a difference in their community and serving the country.
Another highlight of the Veterans Day celebration was the opening of “The Huey, the Workhorse of Vietnam” exhibit.
Additionally, the Woodring Wall of Honor and Veterans Park displayed the Huey helicopter, along with portraits of Oklahoma veterans who served in the Huey.
QR codes played a significant role in this event, redirecting users to an interview with veteran Bob Ford. Using QR codes, visitors accessed the display and audio interviews with veterans sharing their experiences with the vintage aircraft.
The exhibit features 30 to 40 photos, each accompanied by a QR code that leads to an interview. Visitors can scan QR codes on Android or IOS devices.
What I have learned: video QR codes of Veteran’s Day stories
Educators can engage students in meaningful Veterans Day activities by incorporating QR codes linked to Veterans Day stories and read-alouds.
One resourceful example is found on platforms like Teachers Pay Teachers, which provides ready-made QR codes for various Veterans Day stories.
These QR codes can be scanned by students to access read-aloud videos of books about Veterans Day, bringing veterans’ stories to life in the classroom.
Using these QR codes, teachers can create a listening center where students scan the codes to hear veterans’ stories, helping them better understand the significance of Veterans Day.
This interactive approach not only fosters learning but also enables students to connect emotionally with veterans’ experiences.
QR codes simplify the process, offering a seamless way to access educational content. By integrating these codes into the classroom, educators can make Veterans Day celebrations more engaging and impactful for students of all ages.
The Wall of Faces – Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund: Digital memorials with QR Codes
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF) has implemented QR codes as part of its Wall of Faces project, which aims to preserve the legacy of every service member listed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.
By scanning QR codes placed near the wall or on related printed materials, visitors can access photos, biographies, and personal stories of each fallen service member.
This digital tribute allows visitors to learn more about the individuals behind the names etched in stone, making their experiences more personal and tangible.
QR TIGER: Honoring veterans in lasting ways
Veterans Day has always been a time for remembrance, gratitude, and reflection.
Whether it's creating interactive museum exhibits or heartfelt message cards, these Veterans Day QR codes make it easier to share stories, connect communities, preserve memories, and support causes that uplift veterans and their families.
As the commemoration draws closer, let’s once more find meaningful ways to express our appreciation for those who served.
With our custom QR code maker software, you can design high-quality QR codes that turn simple gestures into lasting tributes that ensure the courage, sacrifice, and legacy of our veterans are never forgotten.
FAQ
What is a good symbol for Veterans Day?
Veterans Day doesn’t have an official symbol, but the red poppy is often used to honor those who served.
Inspired by the World War I poem “In Flanders Fields,” the flower symbolizes remembrance and respect, particularly for veterans of that war.
Even today, red poppies often appear in displays and tributes as a timeless reminder of sacrifice and service.
What is a nice saying for Veterans Day?
Looking for the right thing to say this upcoming Veterans’ Day? Here is a list of some nice sayings to show your genuine gratitude:
- “Thank you for all your service.”
- “Our country, and even the entire world, is made a better place with your presence.”
- “Happy Veterans Day! I will never forget your bravery, honor, and courage.”
- “Thank you for bravely doing what you were called to do so we can safely do what we're free to do.”
- “Your courage and sacrifice make us proud.”
Is there an emoji for Veterans Day?
While there is no official emoji for Veterans’ Day, Emojipedia lists the following as the most popular emojis used:
- 🪖Military Helmet
- 🎖️Military Medal
- 🧓Older Person
- 🫡Saluting Face
- 🌺Hibiscus (in place of a red poppy)
