Month of May: National Military Appreciation Month
National Military Appreciation month, celebrated throughout the month of May, was designated as a month for U.S. citizens to honor and appreciate those who served in the Armed Forces. It was officially designated by Congress in 1999 as a way of encouraging unity throughout the nation. Within the month, there are specific days of recognition which offer the opportunity to celebrate the service and sacrifices of servicemembers and their families. Of these days of recognition, the only federally recognized holiday is Memorial Day. Other days of commemoration include: Loyalty Day, V-E Day, Military Spouse Appreciation Day, and Armed Forces Day.
Loyalty Day – Celebrated on May 1st, Loyalty Day was officially designated by Congress as a day to recognize the loyalty of the nation and its citizens to the heritage of American freedom. It has been acknowledged by every U.S. sitting president since 1958.
V-E Day – Celebrated on May 8th, V-E Day is short for “Victory in Europe Day.” Since the end of World War II in 1945, the anniversary of the official end to the long and challenging war has been acknowledged every year on May 8th. It officially became a day of recognition during the establishment of Military Appreciation Month in 1999.
Military Spouse Appreciation Day – Celebrated on the Friday before Mother’s Day, this day honors the military spouses who offer their own sacrifices in support of their servicemember’s service. The day of acknowledgment was initially introduced by Ronald Reagan in 1984, but officially became a day of recognition in 1999 with the establishment of Military Appreciation Month. In the year 2024, Military Spouse Appreciation Day is May 10th.
Throughout the years, as the numbers of our married men and women in uniform have grown and as their military missions have become more complex and dispersed, their spouses have made countless personal sacrifices to support the Armed Forces…In many instances, they subordinated their personal and professional aspirations to the greater benefit of the service family.
President Ronald Reagan, 1984.
Armed Forces Day – Celebrated on the third Saturday in May, this day was designated to specifically celebrate the U.S. military forces. Today, the U.S. Armed Forces are comprised of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Space Force, as well as National Guard and Reserve Units. It was created in 1949 by then-Secretary of Defense, Louis Johnson, to replace separate Army, Navy, and Air Force Days. Unlike Veterans Day (which was established to honor those who served our nation during war) or Memorial Day (which is to honor those who died serving our nation), it differs in that it is meant to honor both the men and women currently serving, as well as those who have previously served and sacrificed to defend our freedom. In the year 2024, Armed Forces Day is May 18th.
Memorial Day – Celebrated on the last Monday in May, this day was established to honor service members who died during military service to their nation. This is the only day within Military Appreciation Month which is recognized as a Federal holiday. Its origin stems from the post-Civil War era, when citizens informally created spring flower memorials on the graves of fallen soldiers. In the year 2024, Memorial Day is on May 27th.