Did you know that May is National Military Appreciation Month? This month we take time to reflect and honor the service men and women, veterans, military spouses, and children who make daily sacrifices to serve our country. Military Appreciation Month was initially recognized in 1999, and has reminded Americans to honor our service members, veterans, and families for the past 24 years. Multiple military observances are held in the month of May, including Military Spouse Appreciation Day, Children of Fallen Patriots Day, Armed Forces Day, and Memorial Day.
Military Spouse Appreciation Day, observed the Friday before Mother’s Day, recognizes the sacrifices and impact military spouses make. Many staff and Board members at Home Front Military Network are military spouses, and we are thankful for their time and dedication to their service member and our military community, as well as their work to support military and veteran families every day. HFMN’s services are geared toward family members, not just the service members or veterans, because we know that the whole family makes sacrifices in service to our country. Be sure to thank any military spouses you know on Friday, May 12th.

We recognize that children of service members and veterans serve and sacrifice, too. While April is the Month of the Military Child, May 13th is observed as Children of Fallen Patriots Day to honor the children of service members who lost their life in the line of duty. May 13th was chosen as Children of Fallen Patriot’s Day because it is the day the Arlington National Cemetery was established in 1864. Home Front Military Network works to honor the Gold Star families in Colorado by supporting family members of service members and veterans every day. Many of HFMN’s partners support military children, including Angles of Americas Fallen, CASA, CPCD, and more.

National Armed Forces Week in 2023 is celebrated May 13th-20th, and Armed Forces Day falls on May 20th to honor the men and women currently serving in the United States military, including Army, Air Force, Space Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. Be sure to say thank you to any active-duty services members in your life on this day.
Our military communities celebrate Armed Forces Week with activities, including an annual luncheon hosted by local chambers of commerce. The Aurora Chamber of Commerce’s Armed Forces Recognition Luncheon will be held on May 12th in Colorado Springs, the US Air Force Academy Band will perform an Armed Forces Week Concert on May 10th, and the Armed Forces Week Luncheon on May 18th.

One of the most well-known military observances is Memorial Day. Falling on May 29th this year Memorial Day recognizes and honors the men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the US military. On Memorial Day, we salute those who gave their life in service to our country. We remember and honor all the Gold Star families who feel the pain of this sacrifice every day.
If you want to support military and veteran families in Colorado, consider donating to, volunteering at, or attending a Home Front Military Network fundraising event. Home Front Military Network’s mission is to connect military service members, veterans, and their families to resources offered by our trusted community partners and to provide emergency financial assistance. Last year, HFMN fielded 13,901 calls while helping more than 5,000 service members, veterans, and families. In addition, HFMN provided nearly $295,000 in emergency financial assistance grants to keep veterans and their families from homelessness or without other basic necessities. Every day, HFMN seeks to serve the individuals who have given so much for our country, so we can help our nation’s heroes not only survive but thrive.
Military Appreciation Month is a month dedicated to honoring the service and sacrifice of all military personnel, both active and reserve. There are specific days throughout the month to commemorate, respect, and support men and women in uniform, such as Armed Forces Day and Military Spouse Appreciation Day.
It was interesting to me when you explained that May is national military appreciation month. With that in mind, I would think that it would be a good idea to show your appreciation constantly if you have a military member in your family. You could show your appreciation by sending them care packages on a regular basis.