President Harry S. Truman led the effort to establish a single holiday for citizens to come together and thank our military members for their patriotic service in support of our country.
In 1949, Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson announced the creation of an Armed Forces Day to replace separate Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force Days.
The single day celebration stemmed from the unification of the Armed Forces under the Department of Defense.
The National Military Appreciation Month (NMAM) website offers tips on how to appreciate our military families (link) - I added a few of my own suggestions:
1. Display the American Flag at home and work.
2. Engage media to highlight military and veteran events.
3. Send a care package to a soldier through USO Cares (link). Romance author Megan Mitcham is also accepting thank you letters for military/veterans at this link.
4. Encourage elected officials at all levels to recognize our military and veterans.
5. Thank anyone in uniform ... or those who wear military ball caps, T-shirts, etc. Most likely they are a veteran.
6. Hire a veteran. Support businesses owned and operated by veterans.
I am giving away a box of books from authors connected to the military - active duty, veterans, spouses, brats, and other family members. To enter the giveaway,
1. Can you add to our list of how to appreciate our military families? Can you recommend any organizations that support military families? Do you know any businesses operated by veterans?
2. Comments are open through Sunday, May 21, 10 pm in Baltimore.
3. I'll post the winner on Monday, May 22.
Mahalo,
Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City
Joint Military Color Guard
Your suggestions was excellent.
ReplyDeleteladbookfan
Yes, my husband and I volunteer at our American Legion. My husband has been an officer on and off for many years.
ReplyDeleteI didn't realize there was a military spouse appreciation day. It certainly wasn't in evidence when my husband was active duty.
ReplyDeleteI volunteer with the American Red Cross in their Service to The Armed Forces programs. There are many ways someone can volunteer to help both active duty and veterans and their families. We help at Veteran Facilities (nursing homes, hospitals, clinics, domiciliaries, cemeteries), do emergency contacts, make follow-up calls, help with No Veteran Dies Alone programs, canteen programs and events, and much more.
We volunteer with Honor Flight which takes veterans to DC to see the memorials and Arlington National Cemetery. They always need volunteers and Guardians to accompany the veterans on the trips.
We help with the local Stand Down for homeless and marginal veterans. Check for one in your area, they always can use some help.
Tennessee has regional groups that consist of military units, local agencies that work with military, and business leaders. Ours meets once a month. They keep everyone informed of activities to honor and support military, veterans, and families. The businesses promote the hiring and training of veterans.
There are many ways you can get involved. We have a couple of groups that work with homeless veterans. They make sure they are aware of the resources available to them. They help get them into housing and help find furniture, etc.
Another way I like to show my support is to attend, when we have special Remembrance parades.
ReplyDeleteNot sure really. I'm sure there is many though.
ReplyDeleteThere are a lot of veterans at the senior center. One used to be a WWII pilot. I encourage him to share his story.
ReplyDeleteThis whole post is wonderful. I always make sure to attend any parade, recognition & honor for our Vets in and around my town..Thanks so much for all our vets.
ReplyDeleteCarol L
Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com
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ReplyDeleteWe always try to drink Veterans Beer also Rags To Honor a tee shirt which helps our veterans in Chicago....https://shop.ragsofhonor.us/
ReplyDeleteI take my daughter to a parade.
ReplyDeleteNatty's Mama
They don't specifically help Military families, but there's a local group that trains and places PTSD service dogs for veterans - Hounds for Heroes. There's a UK Hounds for Heroes as well. I know several people who foster and train dogs in the program as well as a few veterans who have benefited. You could easily argue that the service dogs help the entire family.
ReplyDeleteWe do your suggestion of thanking any military person we see. If we see them wearing a hat we make a point of approaching them, asking how they served and then shaking their hand and thanking them. It has made an impact on our kids, too.
ReplyDeleteI would say keep the men and women of the military in your prayers.
ReplyDeleteI keep them in my prayers and if the opp arises, I thank them for their service. I like to donate items that are needed to various groups for our military.
ReplyDeletePattyB43