Unlike Memorial Day, which invites solemn reflection on those we’ve lost, May also reminds us to look around—to the veterans in our neighborhoods, the families holding down the homefront, and the service members still standing watch. Military Appreciation Month is our opportunity to say, “We see you. We thank you. And we’re still listening.”
Established by Congress in 1999, Military Appreciation Month includes several important days of reflection and gratitude: Loyalty Day (May 1), Military Spouse Appreciation Day (May 10), Armed Forces Day (May 18), and Memorial Day (May 27). Each one provides a chance to pause and thank those who have stepped forward to defend our nation. But for veterans, service members, and their families, the experience of military life is lived every day, and they deserve our attention, respect, and support all year long.
The Service You See—and the Sacrifice You Don’t
We often celebrate the visible moments of military life: the homecomings, the medals, the flag-draped ceremonies. But service is made up of quieter sacrifices, too. The missed birthdays. The years apart. The PCS moves that uproot lives and careers. Behind every service member is a family serving in their own way. Every moment spent worrying during a deployment, every career put on hold, every child who grows up knowing the meaning of duty before most kids know how to spell it—we see you, and we thank you. As a small gesture of appreciation this month, we’ve rounded up exclusive discounts and offers available to veterans and military families. We hope you’ll take advantage of them—you’ve more than earned it.
Real Stories, Real Impact
Brittany Boccher’s journey exemplifies the often-overlooked sacrifices of military spouses. When her husband, Adam, returned home with a traumatic brain injury and a rare sleep disorder, Brittany became a full-time caregiver while raising their two children, one of whom has Down syndrome. “When the service member leaves service, the veteran is typically taken care of. Where is the care for the military family?” she asked. Her story is a powerful reminder that appreciation must extend beyond the veteran to the people who walk beside them.
After a distinguished 23-year career in the Army, Ray Whitaker faced the challenges many veterans encounter when transitioning to civilian life. He found renewed purpose through community and mentorship, eventually stepping into his role as Chief Operating Officer at Mission Roll Call. “Having people to talk to, lean on, and laugh with is huge,” Ray shared. “And that goes for military spouses and children, too. Find your tribe.”
Appreciation in Action
Gratitude is a wonderful place to start, but it can’t be where we stop. If we want to honor those who serve, we have to support them in meaningful ways. Here are just a few:
- Listen. Take the time to hear a veteran or military family member’s story.
- Share. Amplify their voices on social media or in your community.
- Support. Back the organizations working year-round to uplift veterans and their families, like Mission Roll Call.
- Hire. Consider veterans and military spouses in your recruitment efforts.
- Vote. Keep veterans’ needs in mind when heading to the ballot box.
- Engage. Participate in Mission Roll Call polling to help shape better policy and programs.
Gratitude with Grit
Military Appreciation Month reminds us how lucky we are to live in a country defended by an all-volunteer force. But those who serve shouldn’t have to fight for support once they return home. Let’s thank them with more than applause. Let’s stand with them, listen to them, and ensure their voices are heard every month of the year.
From all of us at Mission Roll Call, thank you to every service member, veteran, caregiver, spouse, and child who stands in the gap.
Join us in honoring their stories. Subscribe, follow, share, and stay engaged.