- Military Appreciation Month is a month-long observance established by Congress in 1999 to recognize the sacrifice of both active and former service members.
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- May was chosen because it already contains major milestones like Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, and Victory in Europe Day.
- Effective support for veterans requires looking at the whole family unit, including spouses and children who face constant moves and separations.
- The VFW National Home provides a 472-acre campus in Michigan where families can live for three to five years while working with case managers toward independence.
We break down the specific dates you need to know this May and why traditional gratitude should also extend to the families of service members, who serve in their own way. We’ll also walk through our phased stability model that helps veterans rebuild their lives after service through housing, childcare, and career planning.
As we look toward May, our calendars fill up with opportunities to recognize the men and women who wear the uniform. At the VFW National Home, we believe that honoring that service means making sure that when the uniform comes off, the family behind the hero has a soft place to land and a clear path forward.
Since 1925, we’ve been fulfilling a sacred promise to honor the dead by helping the living, and May gives us a unique window to invite you into that mission.
Table of contents
- What is Military Appreciation Month?
- Why is Military Appreciation Month celebrated in May?
- The history and significance of National Military Appreciation Month
- Military Appreciation Month dates and observances to know
- 5 ways to celebrate Military Appreciation Month this May
- Why military appreciation should include the whole family
- How we support military and veteran families at VFW National Home
- Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about Military Appreciation Month
What is Military Appreciation Month?
Military Appreciation Month takes place in May, and is a 31-day congressional observance dedicated to recognizing the sacrifice and service of both current and former members of the U.S. Armed Forces. It’s a month-long opportunity for the nation to come together and honor the residents of our military communities.
Why is Military Appreciation Month celebrated in May?
While many of us grew up knowing about Memorial Day, the idea of a unified month of recognition is actually a more recent development in our history.
In 1999, Senator John McCain introduced legislation (S.Res.33) to designate May as National Military Appreciation Month. May was the perfect candidate because it was already packed with several existing military-themed observances. Grouping them into one month keeps the spirit of gratitude going, rather than allowing it to fade between individual holidays.
The history and significance of National Military Appreciation Month
National Military Appreciation Month didn’t always exist. For most of American history, recognition of military service was scattered across individual holidays, such as Memorial Day here, Armed Forces Day there, without a unifying framework to bring it all together.
On April 30, 1999, Congress designated National Military Appreciation Month as a month-long observance, passing it with a unanimous 93–0 vote.
The individual observances within the month also have their own histories:
- Armed Forces Day was established in 1949 by Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson to replace separate days that recognized the various services, a change that stemmed from the unification of the armed forces under the Department of Defense.
- Memorial Day‘s roots date back to the post-Civil War era, when citizens would informally create spring flower memorials on the graves of fallen soldiers, before Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act in 1968 to formally establish it as the last Monday in May.
When we talk about the significance of this month, we have to look beyond the parades and the flags. This is about a national recognition of military sacrifice that often goes unseen by the general public. We’re talking about the families who move every two years, the children who change schools mid-semester, and the veterans who struggle to find their footing once their service ends.
The military community is a network of families who provide the backbone for those who serve. When we celebrate Military Appreciation Month, we’re acknowledging that long-term impact.
This perspective is baked into the very DNA of the VFW National Home. When we were founded in 1925, our founders knew that the best way to honor a fallen or struggling soldier was to take care of what they loved most: their family.
Military Appreciation Month dates and observances to know
To truly participate in the month, it helps to understand the specific milestones that lead us through May. Each one of these offers a different lens through which we can view the military experience:
Loyalty Day: May 1
We start the month by reaffirming our loyalty to the United States and reflecting on the heritage of our freedom. It’s a day to remember that the stability of our nation is built on the commitment of those willing to serve a cause greater than themselves.
Military Spouse Appreciation Day: Friday Before Mother’s Day in May
Military Spouse Appreciation Day is observed on the Friday before Mother’s Day. Spouses are the “silent ranks.” They manage the home front during deployments and often put their own careers on hold. At VFW National Home, we see the resilience of spouses every day as they work toward financial stability and career goals for the sake of their children.
Victory in Europe (V-E) Day: May 8
May 8 marks the day in 1945 when the Allies formally accepted the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany. It’s a historical reminder of what can be achieved through collective sacrifice and the ultimate goal of all service: a world at peace where families can thrive.
Armed Forces Day: Third Saturday in May
Observed on the third Saturday in May, this day is for those currently serving across all branches. It’s a moment to cheer for the active-duty men and women who are standing the watch right now, making sure to protect our way of life.
Memorial Day: Last Monday of May
The final Monday of May is our most somber observance. On this day, the focus is on the empty chair at the dinner table. We honor those who gave everything. For the VFW National Home, this day is a reminder of our founding mission to provide a safe place for the families left behind.
5 ways to celebrate Military Appreciation Month this May
So, what does this actually look like in practice? How do you move from feeling grateful to actually doing something that helps? There are plenty of ways to get involved that move the needle for military families.
Learn and share military stories
One of the best ways to honor service is to listen. Read a memoir, watch a documentary, or simply ask a veteran about their experience if they’re comfortable sharing. When you share these stories, you help the civilian world understand the real-life complexities of military service.
You can also explore our blog and learn more about the realities military families face throughout service and beyond.
Support veteran and military family organizations
Look for organizations that focus on long-term outcomes rather than just emergency relief. When you support the VFW National Home, you’re funding a 3–5 year journey toward independence with our On-Campus Residence program.
Attend community events
Look for local parades, ceremonies, veteran meetups, or community events that bring people together in support of service members and military families. Events like our Guitars for Vets program are a great way to connect with others and show up for the military community in a more personal way.
Volunteer your time
If you’re looking for a more hands-on way to show appreciation, you can always volunteer your time. You could help out at a local VA, support a veteran-focused nonprofit, mentor military families, or offer your professional skills to veteran-led organizations and businesses. Giving your time can create a meaningful impact and show support in a way that goes beyond words.
Participate in peer programs
If you’re a veteran, consider joining programs like Heroes to Hives, where you can learn beekeeping. And even if you aren’t a veteran, you can still support these programs through donations or by spreading the word to those who could benefit!
Why military appreciation should include the whole family
When a person serves in the military, their family serves right alongside them. We often talk about the veteran’s transition back to civilian life, but we rarely discuss the transition for the spouse who has been the primary caregiver, or the children who have moved schools too often.
True military appreciation means looking at the support system. If a veteran is struggling with housing or mental health, it isn’t happening in a vacuum. It’s affecting the children’s grades, the spouse’s employment, and the overall stability of the home.
At the VFW National Home, we believe you cannot “fix” one piece of the puzzle without supporting the whole picture. Focusing on the family as a whole helps make the healing more complete and the progress more lasting.
How we support military and veteran families at VFW National Home
At VFW National Home, we do more than provide housing – we create a supportive community. Our 472-acre campus in Eaton Rapids, Michigan, is a place where families can rebuild and grow together. Families move into private, single-family homes (moving costs covered!) within a larger community designed to support stability and connection.
On-Campus Residence Program
But the house is just the starting point. Our On-Campus Residence Program is a 3-5 year phased stability model where:
- Every family works with a dedicated case manager to set specific goals, which could include securing a stable career or learning how to manage a household budget.
- We provide free on-site childcare so parents can focus on their growth, and we offer a safe, suburban environment where kids can just be kids.
- On top of that, we support on-campus education programs that help children and adults continue learning and growing.
Nationwide Support Program
Support doesn’t stop at our campus. Through our Nationwide Support Program, we also provide guidance, referrals, and assistance to veteran and military families across the country through our veteran services and outreach efforts, extending help far beyond Michigan.
Turn your appreciation into action
This May, your contribution does more than just “thank” a veteran. It funds the professional case management, the maintenance of our campus, and the resources these families need to stand on their own two feet.
Together, we can turn gratitude into lasting support for military and veteran families.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about Military Appreciation Month
Is May National Military Appreciation Month?
Yes. Congress officially designated May as National Military Appreciation Month in 1999 to publicly honor the service and sacrifice of U.S. military personnel, past and present.
What happens during Military Appreciation Month?
The month includes several formal observances: Loyalty Day (May 1), Military Spouse Appreciation Day (Friday before Mother’s Day), Armed Forces Day (third Saturday in May), and Memorial Day (last Monday in May). Communities around the country celebrate with days off, parades, and other activities.
How do you celebrate National Military Appreciation Month?
You can attend local ceremonies, write letters to deployed service members, volunteer with veteran-support organizations, donate to military family nonprofits, or simply thank a service member or military spouse you know.
Who started the Military Appreciation Month?
Congress established National Military Appreciation Month in 1999, and Senator John McCain was a key champion of its passage.
How do you say thank you to military families?
Acknowledge the unique sacrifices they make (e.g., frequent moves, long separations, and career disruptions) through direct words of gratitude, community support, or contributions to organizations like the VFW National Home that serve military families year-round.
