The passing of Military Appreciation Month

Yesterday, May 31st, was the last day of what has come to be called “Military Appreciation Month.” While Military Appreciation Month (MAM) sounds like a “Hallmark Holiday,” it is significant. May is an appropriate month due to all the military-related holidays and observances that occur during those 31 days.

May 1st – Loyalty Day: This holiday became official on July 18, 1958, and was first observed by President Eisenhower on May 1, 1959. The holiday was created for citizens of the United States to reaffirm their loyalty to the nation.

May 8th – Victory in Europe (or VE) Day: VE Day marks the end of World War II in Europe. On May 8th, 1945, the German government (headed by Karl Donitz following the death of Adolf Hitler) formally surrendered to the Allied Forces.

Friday proceeding Mother’s Day (May 8, 2009) – Military Spouse Appreciation Day: Initiated by President Reagan, Military Spouse Appreciation Day honors the wives and husbands of our armed forces for the sacrifices and support they provide to our military.

Third Saturday in May (May 16, 2009) – Armed Forces Day: This holiday was established to mark the creation of the Department of Defense (and the unification of our military forces). The day honors our military men and women serving in all branches of the military, including the National Guard and Reserve units.

Last Monday of May (May 25, 2009) – Memorial Day: This Federal holiday, legally established in 1966, is set aside to honor those who died while in military service. Originally called “Decoration Day” to honor Union soldiers who fell during the Civil War, the holiday has been expanded to cover all of the fallen in every war and conflict.

Most everyone knows of Memorial Day, but I feel that it has lost meaning over the years due to the commercialization of the Federal holiday. Stores that do not close on that day to honor the fallen hold major sales to attract those that do not have to go to work that day. Cities and States market the day as a major family-travel weekend to kick off the summer tourism season. Even I am guilty of not fully appreciating the importance of the day, which leads me to my annoyance of Military Appreciation Month.

By annoyance, I don’t mean that we should not set aside time to observe the positive impact the military has on our lives. On the contrary. To me, it should be Military Appreciation Year (or MAY for short). In the era of the all-voluntary military, citizens and non-citizens alike join the ranks to protect and defend our great nation and the hope it symbolizes for many around the world. They sacrifice so much for us that we owe them something in return.

My challenge for you this summer, to show that we don’t need a month to honor our troops and veterans, is to find a way to give back. For example, the Disabled American Veterans organization has recently placed a clothing and shoe drop-off box in my community. Knowing that I needed to clean out my closet this year, I bundled up two bags of professional work clothes and donated them to the organization. These clothes will be taken to a Thrift Store to raise funds for the organization to help those wounded while serving our nation. This donation didn’t cost me anything, but will be a source of revenue for those who need it.

Check your local community to see if there are similar drop boxes or other campaigns that raise funds to provide services to our brave men and women. If there are no campaigns, call your local Veterans of Foreign Wars post (for example) and find out if you can volunteer your time or skills to aid our troops, especially in this time of economic hardship. You may have a talent that is worth more than money that can make a significant impact on the lives of our troops, both active and retired.

Yesterday concluded Military Appreciation Month. Today is the start of Military Appreciation Year.

Related articles:
Disabled American Veterans – website
National Military Appreciation Month – website
Veterans of Foreign Wars – website