"Veterans Day, formerly known as Armistice Day, was originally set as a U.S. legal holiday to honor the end of World War I, which officially took place on November 11, 1918. In 1938, through an act of Congress, November 11th was made a legal holiday." https://www.govinfo.gov/features/veterans-day Learn more: https://www.va.gov/opa/vetsday/vetdayhistory.asp
"Each year on Dec. 7, Pearl Harbor Survivors, veterans, and visitors from all over the world come together to honor and remember the 2,403 service members and civilians who were killed during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. A further 1,178 people were injured in the attack, which permanently sank two […]
"In the early morning hours of 3 February 1943, First Sergeant Michael Warish nearly gave up hope as he floated helplessly in the freezing waters of the North Atlantic. Just minutes earlier, he and the almost 900 others aboard the USAT Dorchester were near safe waters when a German torpedo slammed into the engine room. […]
"Service members have relied on canine comrades since the beginning of organized warfare, but it wasn’t until March 13, 1942, when the United States Army began training dogs for the newly established War Dog Program, or “K-9 Corps” that they became a critical part of the armed forces." https://americanhumane.org/press-release/national-k9-veterans-day-on-march-13-honors-americas-military-dogs/
"'National Rosie the Riveter Day' is a collective national effort to raise awareness of the 16 million women working during World War II." https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-resolution/237/text Learn more: https://rosietheriveter.net/make-march-21st-national-rosie-the-riveter-day/
"The United States Congress has designated March 25th of each year as National Medal of Honor Day, a day dedicated to Medal of Honor recipients. The date of March 25th was chosen to highlight this special day because it was on March 25, 1863, that the first Medals of Honor were presented." https://homeofheroes.com/national-medal-of-honor-day/ Learn more: […]
More than 50 years have passed since the Vietnam War. On Vietnam Veterans Day, we remember 9 million American servicemembers who answered the call to duty. “Vietnam Veterans Day commemorates the sacrifices of Vietnam veterans and their families and is part of a national effort to recognize the men and women who were denied a proper […]
“Gold star families – spouses, children, parents, siblings or others whose loved one died in service to our nation – are a vital part of our country’s military community and history.” https://www.militaryonesource.mil/family-relationships/gold-star-surviving-family/support-after-loss/honoring-gold-star-families/ Learn more: https://www.defense.gov/Explore/Features/story/Article/2246026/understanding-the-significance-of-the-gold-star/
“On April 9th, National Former POW Recognition Day, we remember the American men and women held captive during war.” http://www.nww2m.com/2016/04/national-former-pow-recognition-day/
Throughout the Month of the Military Child, DoDEA encourages schools and communities to plan special events to honor military children. Wearing purple is a visible way for everyone to show support and thank military youth for their strength and sacrifices. Learn more: https://www.aetc.af.mil/News/Article/2150236/month-of-the-military-child-2020-purple-up-day/ https://download.militaryonesource.mil/12038/MOS/Factsheets/FactSheet-MonthOfTheMilitaryChild.pdf
"Military Brats, Inc. founded Military Brats Day in 2016 to recognize present and former children of military personnel, and their dedication and sacrifice in the service of this country." http://militarybratsinc.org/national-military-brats-day-initiative/ Learn more: https://www.vehiclesforveterans.org/blog/what-is-military-brats-day-2017/
Follow the link below for information on Silver Star Service Banner Day and the Silver Star Medal, recipients of which are celebrated on May 1st each year: http://www.silverstarfamilies.org/
"Military Spouse Appreciation Day is a day we honor the contributions and sacrifices made by military spouses. The support and commitment they provide helps keep our country safe. Military spouses serve as the backbone of the families who support our troops during deployments, missions, and reintegration and reset. These spouses are the silent heroes who […]
"To salute the sacrifice of military children who have lost a parent in the line of duty, May 13 has officially been proclaimed Children of Fallen Patriots Day. This date shows appreciation for the young people whose lives were forever changed in support of their parents’ service to our country. Too often, this tremendous sacrifice […]
“Armed Forces Day is celebrated on the third Saturday in May. Thanks to President Harry S. Truman, it’s a day to pay special tribute to the men and women of the Armed Forces. President Truman led the effort to establish a holiday in order for citizens to unite and to honor our military heroes for their patriotic […]
“Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in service of the United States of America.” https://www.usmemorialday.org/history-of-memorial-day Learn more: https://militarybenefits.info/memorial-day/
Women have served in the military since the founding of the Republic. From the story of Molly Pitcher, who served with the Continental Army during the Revolution, to the women serving today, America’s military women have long demonstrated courage, patriotism and leadership. Women Veterans Day was first celebrated in June of 2018. Learn more: https://womensmemorial.org/
“Signed on June 12, 1948, the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act legally permitted women to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces in a number of official capacities. Most importantly, the act allowed women to serve in all four branches of the military. Previously, women serving in the military could enlist as volunteers in clerical positions […]
"Many people across the globe suffer silently with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). In an effort to educate the public and help those affected, June 27 has been named PTSD Awareness Day." https://www.redcross.org/about-us/news-and-events/news/2020/ptsd-awareness-day-talking-about-a-silent-disorder.html Learn more: https://www.apa.org/topics/ptsd/ptsd-awareness https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand/awareness/index.asp
National Hire a Veteran Day has been celebrated on July 25th each year since it was established in 2017. It serves as a call to action for employers to recognize the immense value veterans bring to the workforce including leadership, resilience, and discipline. Follow the links below for resources about hiring veterans and how National […]
"Buffalo Soldiers Day on July 28 commemorates the formation of the first regular Army regiments comprised of African American soldiers on September 21, 1866, seventeen months after the end of the Civil War. Established by Congress, these regiments were the first peacetime, all-black regiments in the regular U.S. Army." https://nationalvmm.org/buffalo-soldiers-day-july-28/ Learn more: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/buffalosoldiers/index.htm
"Purple Heart Day is a day of observance to commemorate the creation of the Purple Heart in 1782." https://www.thepurpleheart.com/history/ Learn more: https://www.uso.org/stories/2276-8-purple-heart-facts
“August 14 is National Navajo Code Talkers Day, a day to commemorate the contributions of Native American code talkers who served in the U.S. military during World Wars I and II. Code talkers utilized a secret, coded language, based on their native language, to communicate important information over military telephones and radios.” https://nationalvmm.org/national-navajo-code-talkers-day/ Learn more: […]
To learn about National Airborne Day, follow the link below: https://www.army.mil/article/238179/national_airborne_day_holds_special_resonance_at_fort_benning_birthplace_of_the_airborne https://www.hfotusa.org/the-history-behind-national-airborne-day/
This year marks the 22nd Anniversary of the Terrorist Attack on the U.S. “September 11th is Patriot Day and a National Day of Service and Remembrance. On this day Americans across the country are called to volunteer in their local communities in tribute to the individuals lost and injured in the attacks, first responders, and […]
“National POW/MIA Recognition Day was established in 1979 through a proclamation signed by President Jimmy Carter. Since then, each subsequent president has issued an annual proclamation commemorating the third Friday in September as National POW/MIA Recognition Day. National POW/MIA Recognition Day ceremonies share the common purpose of honoring those who were held captive and returned, […]
Originally observed as Gold Star Mother’s Day and declared by Congress in 1936 to be held on the last Sunday in September, President Obama amended the declaration in 2011 to include families. Learn more: https://www.militaryonesource.mil/family-relationships/gold-star-surviving-family/support-after-loss/honoring-gold-star-families/