Veterans Day and National Military Family Appreciation Month
National Military Appreciation Month, also known as Military Appreciation Month, is a month-long observance in the United States, dedicated to people who are currently serving in, and veterans of, the United States military.[3][4] Each year, the observance runs from May 1 to May 31.[5]
History
Senator John McCain proposed the month long observance on February 9, 1999.[6] On April 30, 1999, Congress designated National Military Appreciation Month as a month-long observance.[7][8] Congress chose May because many military related observances such as Memorial Day and Loyalty Day are celebrated and observed on that date. Congress recognized the month after a unanimous vote of 93–0 in April of that year.[9]
In the 2020s, videogames created virtual events to celebrate and raise funds for Military Appreciation Month.[15][16]
Discounts and commemorations
The USS Missouri illuminated in the U.S flag colors for the 23rd Hawaii Military Appreciation Month opening ceremony
On May 2, 2016 Chevrolet donated $5 million+ worth of cars to the National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum.[17] Multiple companies give discounts to people who currently serve or resigned in the military which include all 6 branches. Some notable companies that give these discounts are Home Depot, Hulu, Lowe's, T-Mobile and Verizon.[18][19] Some brands only give discounts to veterans on certain days on Military Appreciation Month such as Adidas, Chevrolet, Nike, Chick-fil-A, Ford, Under Armour and IHOP.[20][21] Many families in the United States thanked the military veterans during the month long observance to show respect.[22] The humanitarian organization known as Red Cross provided more than 15,000 military veteran families during the 2021 Military Appreciation Month to the 2022 Military Appreciation Month.[23] There are also about 50 large companies that give discounts during the month.[24]
Nascar recognized the month during May 2022 through the annual NASCAR Salutes Together with Coca-Cola program.[25] The USS Lexington (CV-16) also known as The Blue Ghost made an exhibit about some of the veterans that fought on it during WW2 which the exhibit stayed for the entirety of May 2021 Military Appreciation Month.[26] Education discounts for military is also noticeable during the month long observance.[27] The USS Missouri was luminated in red, white and blue for the 23rd annual Hawaii Military Appreciation Month opening ceremony.[28] At the California African American Museum, they made an exhibit featuring black soldiers accomplishments in World War 2.[29]
Military Appreciation Day
Military Appreciation Day is observed on August 31 and has the same idea as the month. Although not as popular as the month, it still is relevant in state fairs.[30] The observation was created in 1949.[31]
^"GOVERNOR COOPER DECLARES MAY MILITARY APPRECIATION MONTH IN NORTH CAROLINA". States News Service. 17 May 2021. Archived from the original on 14 June 2022. Retrieved 14 June 2022. Governor Roy Cooper has proclaimed May as Military Appreciation Month to honor the contributions and sacrifices North Carolina's servicemembers, veterans and their families have made for North Carolina and the nation
^Hawken Miller (25 May 2022). "Call of Duty Endowment to host in-game charity run via 'Warzone'". The Washington Post. Retrieved 14 June 2022. donate $1 to the Call of Duty Endowment for the equivalent of every 10 virtual kilometers a player runs in the game's massive Caldera map between May 26 and June 3, capped at $1 million, to celebrate Military Appreciation Month
^Miller, Hawken (22 May 2020). "As veterans face heightened unemployment risk, 'Call of Duty' lends a hand". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 23 May 2020. Retrieved 14 June 2022. made a $2 million donation to the endowment for National Military Appreciation Month in May. Now, Goldenberg's organization is teaming with [...] developer Infinity Ward to raise additional money to help in this challenge [...] will have the ability to help the cause by purchasing
(federal) = federal holidays, (abbreviation) = state/territorial holidays, (religious) = religious holidays, (cultural) = holiday related to a specific racial/ethnic group or sexual minority, (week) = week-long holidays, (month) = month-long holidays, (36) = Title 36 Observances and Ceremonies
