Military Appreciation Month

In the United States, Military Appreciation Month takes place in May. The commemorative month officially began in 1999 under the primary sponsorship of Senator John McCain and widespread bipartisan support. The month is intended to remember, honor, and celebrate Americans who have served in the Armed Forces in the past or present, including those who lost their lives while serving. The choice of May purposely coincided with many days already set aside to honor service members. Most notably, May 8 marks the end of World War II in Europe; the third Saturday in May is Armed Forces Day; and the last Monday of May is Memorial Day, intended to honor military deceased.

Background

The idea for a month to recognize America’s military first became popular in 1999. That year, Senator John McCain of Arizona sponsored a bill in Congress to turn May into an annual commemorative month. More than fifty veterans’ groups backed these Congressional proposals, which met with bipartisan support. Every year during this month, the president of the United States speaks about the importance of the military and thanks those who have been involved in it.

This month was intended to recognize all the service members on active duty as well as former service members and their families. Across all branches of the Armed Forces, including the Reserves and National Guard, and counting veterans, retired members, and their kin, the number exceeds 90 million people in the United States.

Overview

The choice of May for Military Appreciation Month was not coincidental. That month already contains several commemorative days—both well-known and rather obscure—that pertain to America’s military. The month opens with Loyalty Day on May 1. Although rarely celebrated in modern years, this special day has a long history. It began in 1921 as “Americanization Day,” only to be renamed “Loyalty Day” in 1955 by order of President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Since 1958, every president has marked this day, which is meant to spread and celebrate the feeling of loyalty Americans hold for their country and freedom.

May 8 is another military commemoration day, remembered as “Victory in Europe Day” or “V-E Day.” This day marks the end of the fighting in the European theater of World War II in 1945, when American and Allied forces finally liberated Europe from the Nazi threat.

Every year on the Friday before Mother’s Day in the second week of May, Americans mark Military Spouse Appreciation Day. This day originated in 1984 when President Ronald Reagan declared a special day to honor the sacrifices of people married to Armed Forces members. Spouses often face challenges in their partners’ absence, from feelings of worry and loneliness to the heightened responsibilities of running a house and raising children. This day honors husbands and wives alike.

Every year on the second Sunday of May, the nation marks Mother’s Day. While not explicitly a military appreciation day, this day shows gratitude to the nation’s mothers, including those of Armed Forces members and those who have lost children in the performance of military duties.

On the third Saturday in May, the nation observes Armed Forces Day, a day set aside to honor current, retired, and deceased members of the military. This day traces its lineage back to the first half of the twentieth century, when Americans marked separate days to honor members of the various branches of the armed forces. In 1947, President Harry S. Truman unified the armed forces, a move that led to the 1949 combination of the commemorative days into an all-inclusive Armed Forces Day. The separate branches of the military continue to observe individual days as well.

The last Monday of May marks Memorial Day. Although many people associate Memorial Day with cookouts and parades, its true meaning is to honor members of the Armed Forces who lost their lives in service. This holiday developed over many years from traditions of adorning the graves of fallen soldiers with flowers. In modern times, many observers use the day to remember loved ones who died, or to visit cemeteries and decorate or maintain graves, particularly those of former military members.

Several other related commemoration days also fall in May. The first week of May is often marked as Public Service Recognition Week, a time to thank all civil servants from local, state, and federal levels, including those serving in the military. May is recognized as the Month of the Military Caregiver, which honors the millions of family members and medical personnel who care for injured and aging veterans daily. The first day of May commemorates veterans and active-service members who have received the Silver Star Medal. Early May includes the National Day of Prayer, a day when people of all faiths are invited to express their religions, often in service of praying for military members past and present. May 13 is Children of Fallen Patriots Day, a day that honors the children—young and old—who lost parents in military service.

People may observe National Military Appreciation Month in a wide variety of ways. Merely stopping one’s daily routine to reflect on the lives and sacrifices of service members is one way that is both simple and meaningful. People may fly American flags, write a letter or send a package to an active service member, or donate money to a charity that supports veterans. People may reach out to veterans, service members, or their families, offering thanks or simple acts of kindness to show their gratitude. For example, a person in line at a restaurant may pay for the meal of a uniformed soldier behind them.

Teachers may incorporate lessons in their classes to honor the members of the Armed Forces. People may post on social media with supportive comments or share hashtags like #MilitaryAppreciationMonth to help spread awareness. Business owners might place special focus on hiring veterans, or offer discounts for veterans. Socially minded reformers might write to elected officials asking them to promote legislation to aid veterans and their families.

Bibliography

Barber, Kassidy. “When Is Military Appreciation Month? Why Do We Celebrate It?” Veteran Life, veteranlife.com/lifestyle/national-military-appreciation-month/. Accessed 1 May 2024.

“Military Appreciation Month 2022.” Military.com, 2022, www.military.com/military-appreciation-month. Accessed 15 June 2022.

“Military Appreciation Month Deals and Discounts.” The American Legion, 19 May 2022, www.legion.org/membership/255822/military-appreciation-month-deals-and-discounts. Accessed 15 June 2022.

“Military Appreciation Month – May 2023.” National Today, 2022, nationaltoday.com/military-appreciation-month/. Accessed 15 June 2022.

“National Military Appreciation Month 2022.” Veteran.com, 2022, veteran.com/national-military-appreciation-month/. Accessed 15 June 2022.

“SCR-23 National Military Appreciation Month.” California Legislative Information, 9 July 2021, leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill‗id=202120220SCR23. Accessed 15 June 2022.

“7 Ways To Celebrate Military Appreciation Month.” Vehicles for Veterans, www.vehiclesforveterans.org/7-ways-to-celebrate-military-appreciation-month/. Accessed 15 June 2022.

“What is Military Appreciation Month?” USO, 29 Apr. 2022, www.uso.org/stories/2699-what-is-military-appreciation-month. Accessed 1 May 2024.