On October 26th, National Day of the Deployed annually honors the United States military personnel deployed around the globe. 

The designation recognizes all of the brave military personnel who have been deployed, are sacrificing, or have sacrificed their lives to defend our country. It also acknowledges their families who are separated from them during deployment and the sacrifices they make in order for their family members to serve our country.

NATIONAL DAY OF DEPLOYED HISTORY

Shelle Michaels Aberle founded National Day of the Deployed in 2006. Ms. Aberle approached then North Dakota Governor John Hoeven for support of a North Dakota Proclamation for the day. Governor Hoeven was the first governor in the United States to recognize deployed troops in a formal proclamation.

Aberle’s cousin, Bottineau, ND native LTC David Hosna, chose October 26th to recognize troops. Hosna, who was deployed to Iraq from Kaiserslautern, Germany, was born on October 26th. 

Don’t forget any of these either….

Independence Day, Flag Day, Navy Birthday, National Airborne Day, US Marines Birthday, Army Birthday, Hug a GI Day, Medal of Honor Day, Marching Music Day, Supreme Sacrifice Day, Veterans Day,
Memorial Day, Wreaths Across America day, K9 Veterans Day, Vet girls rock, National Guard Birthday, Forget Me Not Day, Navy Day, United Nations Day, National Day of the Deployed, Gold Star Mothers and Families Day, National V J Day, National Veep day, Purple Heart Day, National Coast Guard Day, Buffalo Soldiers Day, Hire a Veteran Day, International Peace Month, Armed Forces Day, Peace Officers Memorial Day, Military Spouce Appreciation Day,Vietnam War Veterans Day, National Anthem Day, Armed Forces Day

• As of 2012, all 50 states observed National Day of the Deployed.
• Grand Forks, North Dakota hosted the first event honored the NDARNG 1-188th ADA SECFOR and JLENS deployed to Afghanistan. 
• In 2011, Senator John Hoeven led the efforts and co-sponsored S.RES.295 for a national day of honor.  On October 18, 2011, the resolution passed unanimously for the first national day honoring deployed troops and their families.

HOW TO OBSERVE #DayOfTheDeployed

Many deployed troops leave their families behind to serve their country. They make the greatest sacrifices to keep their country secure. A few ways to recognize their services include:

• Donate to a military organization like the USO. They support troops in the U.S. and overseas. The USO also provides support to the families before, during and after service.
• Send care packages. Visit Support Out Troops to find out what and where to send care packages worldwide.
• Locally, attend ceremonies honoring the military.
• Volunteer your time and services to local military organizations. 
• If you know a military family, ask what support they need. Needs vary by family. Some just need to hear from home and know they are in your thoughts.
• Offer to support military personnel who have no family. They deploy with no one back home to send care packages or other support.

Use #DayOfTheDeployed to post on social media.