On May 21 Armed Forces Day is a day to pay tribute to the men and women who serve the United States Armed Forces. The day is celebrated on the third Saturday in May and is part of Armed Forces Week.
It was with the idea for citizens to come together and thank our military members for their patriotic service in support of our country that President Harry S. Truman led the effort to establish this single holiday. The one-day celebration then stemmed from the unification of the Armed Forces under the Department of Defense. It was on August 31, 1949, that Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson announced the creation of an Armed Forces Day to replace separate Army, Navy, Marine Corps, U.S. Coast Guard and Air Force Days.
Parades, open houses, receptions and air shows were held to celebrate the first Armed Forces Day held on May 20, 1950.
1962 – President John F. Kennedy established Armed Forces Day as an official holiday.
The United States longest running city-sponsored Armed Forces Day Parade is held in Bremerton, Washington.
2012 – Bremerton celebrated the 64th year of the Armed Forces Day Parade.
Always the Friday before Mother’s Day, National Military Spouse Appreciation Day recognizes the significant contributions, support, and sacrifices of the spouses of the Armed Forces. National Military Spouse Appreciation Day is also sometimes known as Military Spouse Day.
Along with the tremendous strength and patriotism they have, military spouses endure frequent change and unexpected developments in their lives. They prepare for many unknowns during military life, often unable to make a plan for more than a few days in advance. The hold down the home front during deployments, training, and many other circumstances while their husband or wife serve their country. Depending on the length of service, they may move many times and often all over the world. Military spouses also spend many months apart during stressful deployments with limited communication or for training.
But they bear these responsibilities by caring for and relying on family. With every move, they find a new job, help their children adjust to new schools and friends. They learn about a new community and its culture. During separations, they celebrate holidays at unusual times or host long-distance birthday parties. By supporting our service members and ensuring a sound home, our military is stronger and more prepared.
NATIONAL MILITARY SPOUSE APPRECIATION DAY HISTORY
On May 23, 1984, President Ronald Reagan declared the first Military Spouse Day with Proclamation 5184, dated April 17, 1984. He recognized the profound importance of spouse commitment to the readiness and well-being of military members. Caspar Weinberger, US Secretary of Defense, standardized the date by declaring the Friday preceding Mother’s Day as Military Spouse Day. Each year, the United States President regularly commemorates this day with a formal speech and proclamation.
HOW TO OBSERVE #MilitarySpouseAppreciationDay
Thank a military spouse. Recognize the burdens they carry and support them throughout the year. You may not understand their struggles, but you can offer a friendly ear or helpful hand when they move to your city. Use #MilitarySpouseAppreciationDay to post on social media.
As the only day on the calendar that is mnemonically a military command, March 4th recognizes National Hug a G.I. Day.
Gather around your servicemen and women to give them a hug. It’s simply a way to show your support. With either a pat on the back or a hearty handshake, be sure to give both past and present G.I.s your appreciation. While G.I.s refer to Army personnel, the day encompasses all those who have served in the military. So, hug those Jarheads, Wingnuts, Squids, and Coasties, too!
Today the term G.I. is fairly commonly known to refer to those serving in the Armed Forces of the United States of America. How that came to be is a little less military protocol and more the American story.
It seems at the turn of the 20th century, G.I. was a notation used in supply records for galvanized iron. It was later used during World War I for German artillery shells made from galvanized iron.
Sometime during the war soldiers started interpreting the initials as “Government Issue” or “General Issue”. By the time World War II came around it was starting to gain meaning as the generic enlisted man.
Not surprisingly, sarcastic usage among many servicemen was common, feeling they were just like any other Government Issued supply being mass-produced for Uncle Sam.
About that time G.I. Joe was born. His creator, comic strip artist, and former Army Sergeant David Breger, issued his first G.I. Joe cartoon series in Yank magazine on June 17, 1942.
The term G.I. became more permanently etched in the American language when in 1944 President Franklin Roosevelt signed the bill that became known as the G.I. Bill; Servicemen’s Readjustment Act.
And then there was no going back when Hasbro trademarked their G.I. Joe as an action figure in 1964.
NATIONAL HUG A G.I. DAY HISTORY
In 1996, Adrienne Sioux Koopersmith created Hug A G.I. Day. She selected the only day on the calendar that was also a military command to salute and celebrate the men and women who risk their lives for our country and freedoms. We have included the link to the original page for you.
Find a G.I. you know and give them a hug. Is your G.I. too far away to give a hug? Send him or her a virtual one via text, e-mail, phone or even snail mail. Use #HugAGIDay to post on social media.
Military Family Month dedicates November to military families around the world. The observance recognizes the commitment and dedication these families make to their service members. Their sacrifices make it possible for our military to remain organized and strong.
While their service men and women are actively serving, deployed or training, their families provide a vital foundation at home that allows confidence in the field. Spouses and children are often separated from their service member for long periods of time and over great distances. Communication can be patchy and under stressful conditions. And they frequently move, uprooting children and jobs. But, military families are adaptable.
During November, the country honors the military families who make the U.S. Armed Forces strong.
The Armed Services YMCA along with the U.S. Government established Military Family Month in 1996 by expanding Military Family Week. Each year, the President declares the month through a signed proclamation.
Thank a veteran, active duty, reserve or national guard service member or family member for their service by giving back. Ask your military families how you can support them. Many will not ask when they need it. In many cases, through deployments or other circumstances, military families will band together. But even then that may not be enough. Adopt a military family for the holidays. Offer to run errands for military spouses who may have their hands full with their children or even their pets. Volunteer or donate services to military organizations.
