The entire nation honors its veterans and those who made the ultimate sacrifice each Memorial Day, which this year is on May 30. Locally, Memorial Day is commemorated by various ceremonies and commemorations at the county, city, village and township levels.
Of course, veterans and those currently serving should be honored, or at least remembered, every day of every year this nation exists. But for now, the entire month of May, as well as several individual days of May, are specifically designated to honor our service members and veterans — it’s national Military Appreciation Month.
National Military Appreciation Month, as designated by Congress, “provides a period encompassing both the history and recognition of our armed services with an in-depth look at the diversity of its individuals and achievements. It allows Americans to educate each generation on the historical impact of our military through the participation of the community with those who serve encouraging patriotism and love for America.
“This month gives the nation a time and place on which to focus and draw attention to our many expressions of appreciation and recognition of our armed services via numerous venues and also to recall and learn about our vast American military history. National Military Appreciation Month and American Military History Month are now synonymous to this website.
“National Military Appreciation Month May 2016 includes Loyalty Day (1st), Military Spouse Appreciation Day (6th), VE Day(8th), Armed Forces Day (21th), and Memorial Day (30th). This month honors, remembers, recognizes and appreciates all military personnel — those men and women who have served throughout our history and all who now serve in uniform and their families as well as those Americans who have given their lives in defense of our freedoms we all enjoy today. It recognizes those on active duty in all branches of the services, the National Guard and Reserves plus retirees, veterans, and all of their families — more than 90 million Americans and more than 230 years of our nation’s history.
“Let us celebrate them just as we celebrate the other important entities that make up this wonderful country of ours.”
