May is Military Appreciation Month
Take a moment this month to show our military members that you appreciate their service and their sacrifice
Written by Amy Neyhard, Inventory Control Analyst, Chicago Tube & Iron - Fond du Lac, WI
May is military appreciation month. Not only do we memorialize the fallen on Memorial Day, but we honor those that have served and continue to serve throughout the month. In 1999, May was designated Military Appreciation Month by Congress as a tribute and a reminder to show appreciation for those that have served, sacrificed, and are actively serving.
We are all aware of Memorial Day, but did you also know about these other opportunities to acknowledge our military service members and their families during the month of May?
- MAY 1: Loyalty Day, once known as Americanization Day, is a day for Americans to remember the freedoms that we may sometimes take for granted.
- MAY 8: Victory in Europe “VE” Day was initiated to commemorate the ending of World War II in Europe in 1945.
- MAY 10 (Friday before Mother’s Day): Armed Forces Day is a day to celebrate all the forces that we have protecting us in the United States.
- MAY 13: Children of Fallen Patriots Day is to honor the children who have lost parents in service.
- MAY 17 (3rd Saturday in May): Military Spouse Appreciation Day is to honor the spouses of those that serve. These individuals “keep the home fires burning” and support their service member as they serve.
As the mother of a child that served in the Army National Guard, all of these days have taken on new meaning to me. Fortunately, my son was never deployed, but as of September 2023, there were a combined 1,286,027 troops of all branches of service deployed throughout the world. These individuals signed on to do whatever it takes to protect our country, including putting their own lives on the line.
As you are planning your picnics and barbeques throughout May, remember those that gave and continue to give their lives so we can celebrate our freedoms with friends and neighbors.
