May is Military Appreciation Month

Military Appreciation Month takes place every year throughout the month of May, reminding Americans to pay tribute to those who have sacrificed so much for our freedom. There are several, specific military holidays sprinkled throughout Military Appreciation Month:

Loyalty Day: May 1, 2022

One of the lesser-known Military Appreciation Month holidays is Loyalty Day, which is celebrated on May 1. Officially designated by Congress as “a special day for the reaffirmation of loyalty to the United States and for the recognition of the heritage of American freedom,” Loyalty Day has been marked by every U.S. president since 1958 with an official proclamation.

VE Day: May 8, 2022

Marking the end of a long, deadly war, “Victory in Europe Day,” or VE Day for short, celebrated just that: the end of World War II on the European front. Since this momentous occasion in 1945, much of the world has continued to celebrate VE Day on May 8 every year. It has since become an official holiday in Military Appreciation Month. This year marks the 77th anniversary of VE Day, and special celebrations are planned around the world.

Military Spouse Appreciation Day: May 6, 2022

Military Spouse Appreciate Day takes place on the Friday before Mother’s Day and honors the military spouses who sacrifice so much in support of their service member’s mission… Military spouses play a huge role in not only taking care of things while their loved ones are deployed, but also in providing a backbone of support and care during the tough times.

Armed Forces Day: May 21, 2022

Unlike Veterans Day, which honors those who wore the cloth of our nation at war, and unlike Memorial Day, which honors those who died wearing the cloth of our nation at war, Armed Forces Day is the proper day to honor both the men and women currently serving, as well as those who have previously served and sacrificed to defend our freedom

Memorial Day: May 30, 2022

Memorial Day, which is celebrated on the last Monday in May, honors service members who have died in military service to the nation. The holiday has roots dating back to the post-Civil War era, when citizens would informally create spring flower memorials on the graves of fallen soldiers

Read the full article here, and learn how the United Service Organizations (USO) supports the members of the U.S. military and their families year round. Whether you or your family are current or past military, or simply an American who want to recognize our armed services this month, mark your calendar for these special dates, and think about how you can honor those who serve or have served.