Best Ways to Show Your Support During Military Appreciation Month

Military Appreciation Month is dedicated to the service of active duty and veteran soldiers willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms. Many people wonder how we can show gratitude to soldiers after dedicating their lives to protecting our country.

Military Appreciation Month is an excellent time to give thanks to service members and their families for everything they do to keep their country safe. Below, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best ways you can show your support during Military Appreciation Month.

When Is Military Appreciation Month?

Military appreciation month begins on May 1st and continues throughout the rest of the month. Congress dedicated the month to military appreciation in 1999, and people have been celebrating soldiers every May since. Military appreciation month is a month of patriotism that honors active-duty soldiers, veterans and those who sacrificed their lives for our freedoms.

There are specific holidays to honor various armed forces members and important events during the month. The different holidays include:

• Memorial Day: Memorial Day honors those who have sacrificed their lives while serving our country. Memorial Day is celebrated on Monday, May 30, 2022.
• Armed Forces Day: On the third Saturday of the month, Armed Forces Day celebrates active duty service members and veterans who have sacrificed so much for our country’s freedoms. Armed Forces Day will be celebrated on Saturday May 21, 2022.
• Military Spouse Appreciation Day: This day is celebrated on the Friday before Mother’s Day, which is May 6, 2022. Military Spouse Appreciation Day recognizes military spouses’ sacrifices to support their partners.
• Loyalty Day: Loyalty Day is celebrated on May 1 and reiterates citizens’ loyalty to the United States while recognizing American freedom and heritage.
• VE Day: VE Day is shorthand for “Victory in Europe Day” and recognizes the end of World War II. VE Day has been celebrated on May 8 since 1945.

How to Show Gratitude During Military Appreciation Month

Members of the military have sacrificed so much in the service of their country and Military Appreciation Month is an excellent time to show your support. There are many ways to demonstrate your gratitude during this month. Here are some unique Military Appreciation Month ideas.

1. Send a Care Package to a U.S. Service Member

Care packages are an excellent way to show your support, and they are always appreciated by deployed or wounded service members. Care packages can help lift their spirits and remind them of home. There are many things you can include inside a care package, such as:

• Snacks or candy
• Toiletries, such as soap, toothpaste and toothbrushes
• Magazines or books
• Letters of gratitude
• Customized t-shirts or a stars and stripes knit cap
• DVDs or games
• Comfort items

Operation Gratitude can help you send your care packages to a specific loved one or another soldier in the armed services.

2. Volunteer for an Organization That Supports the Military

Many cities — especially those close to a military installation — have organizations that offer support to members of the military. You can offer your services to active service members and veterans to honor their sacrifices to the country and its freedoms. Some cities have memorials, monuments or parks dedicated to military members and always seek to assist with upkeep and maintenance. Care and maintenance can include gardening, watering flowers or plants and cleaning.

Some organizations look for people to help take disabled or elderly veterans to their appointments, go grocery shopping, run errands or help out around the house.

3. Raise Awareness With Custom T-Shirts and Accessories

One of the best ways to showcase your support is to bring awareness to the military and their sacrifices. Wearing customized t-shirts or using customized accessories can help you bring attention to Military Appreciation Month and let service members know you support them. Different items you can customize include:

• Customized camo t-shirts
• Customized camo hoodies
• Customized camo hats
• American flag custom face mask
• American flag custom visor cap
• USA themed promotional pens

Employees, students and sports teams can bring awareness to Military Appreciation Month by wearing or using these items and coordinating with staff or team members. Wearing customized clothes or hats on individual holidays during the month can further reiterate your support for the military.

4. Donate to a Military Charity

Many military charities exist to offer support to service members, and donating to one or more of them is the perfect way to show your support during Military Appreciation Month. There are many charities to choose from, so you’ll want to do your research when deciding which one to donate to. Some of the highest-rated nonprofits dedicated to active duty members and veterans include:

• Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Charitable Service Trust
• Freedom Service Dogs of America
• Homes For Our Troops
• Wounded Warrior Project
• Operation Second Chance
• Backpacks For Life

5. Support Military-Owned Businesses

Many service members, their spouses or veterans own a business to supplement their income or build a new career after service. Research what companies in your area are owned by active duty service members or veterans, and give them your business. You can also recommend their businesses to friends, family and members of your community.

6. Showcase Your Support on Social Media

Social media is an excellent way to raise awareness for the month and show military members that you support and honor their service. Take the time to create various posts across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or other social media platforms. Service members will see your posts and appreciate your support, and friends and family who see these posts and be inspired to do the same or find other ways to support the military.

7. Organize an Event

If you’re a high school or college student, employee of a business or member of a sports team, you can talk with your principal, dean, boss or coach about hosting an event to honor military members’ service. You can host a fundraiser to donate to a military charity and reach out to organizations that could bring in guest speakers.

Talk to local businesses to see if they would be willing to donate goods or services for a silent auction to help you raise more funds. Different events you could host include:

• Campus carnivals
• Talent shows
• Bake sales
• Car washes
• Relay race or 5K marathon
• Sports tournaments
• Scavenger hunts
• Craft fairs

Show Your Support With ePromos’ Selection of Promotional Items

Whether you’re a school or business, you can show your support and offer your gratitude to service members through the use of promotional items. You can customize apparel, drinkware, pens or bags with your logo and images of the American flag to show your appreciation of the military. Military members within your community will recognize your support and feel welcomed within your school or business.

ePromos offers various promotional items to help prepare you for Military Appreciation Month. We’ll assist you through the ordering process, and thousands of our products are eligible for our RUSH service, meaning we can get a proof of your design ready for you within 24 hours. Once your design is approved, we will move forward with production and get your delivery to you as soon as possible. Contact us today to get started!