I just read a touching piece about a good way to say thanks to a veteran.

Paul Kavanagh, a Montreal periodontist, was visiting the Canadian War Museum in 2009 with his family and happened to be in line at the cafeteria behind a veteran who did not have quite enough to pay for his meal.  Kavanagh quietly paid the difference for that veteran—then thought about how complimentary meals could be provided to every visiting veteran.

Thus was born Operation Veteran, which has provided more than 4,000 complimentary meals to veterans visiting the museum in Ottawa. Kavanagh originally approached some high schools to raise money to provide vouchers for a free hot meal to any veteran visiting the museum on Remembrance Day, but the program proved so popular it can fund meals for veterans every day.

Operation Veteran also has an educational component. Students from from high school across the country come to Ottawa on self-funded tours to attend the Remembrance Day ceremony, tour the museum and meet veterans.

If you’d like to buy a veteran lunch at the museum or support Operation Veteran, contact the Canadian War Museum online or by phone, fax or mail.

Wouldn’t it be great if this idea spread to museums across the country?