Armed Forces Day – Saturday, May 21, 2022
Held annually on the third Saturday of May, Armed Forces Day is celebrated to pay tribute to men and women of the Armed Forces, both active and former military. This day is a part of Armed Forces Week and allows all Americans to honor and acknowledge the contributions of servicemen and servicewomen across the country. Parades, receptions, air shows, and other events are generally held as part of the celebration of this day.
National POW/MIA Recognition Day – Friday, September 17, 2021
Held annually on the third Friday in September, National POW/MIA Recognition Day is a solemn day of recognition for American prisoners of war, those who are missing in action, and their families. National ceremonies to commemorate this day are usually held at the Pentagon, but many smaller ceremonies are held around the country in remembrance of this day each year.
Veterans Day – Thursday, November 11, 2021
Held annually on November 11th each year, Veterans Day is celebrated on the day that the armistice ending World War I went into effect – on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. The 2021 theme for Veterans Day is the centennial commemoration of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, located at Arlington National Cemetery.
Independence Day.
July 4th each year. Commemorates the signing of the declaration of Independence. Declaring our independence from England and beginning the American Revolution. This day is celebrated with cookouts and family get togethers, parades and evening firework shows.
Memorial Day.
Celebrated on the last Monday in May. A day to remember all the men an women who have served in the Armed Forces, and especially those who have made the supreme sacrifice for America. Flags are placed on the raves of all veterans in cemeteries across the United States. Many communities will have parades and memorial services conducted at a Veteran’s memorial.
Patriots Day.
Celebrated annually on the 11th of September, to honor those who were killed or later died from injuries or illness from the terrorists attacks on America in New York City, Washington D.C., and Pennsylvania.
American Legion Birthday.
The American Legion birthday is on March 15. It was on this date in 1919 when the first American Legion caucus was convened in Paris, coordinated by members of the American Expeditionary Force. Weary from war and its effects, they were concerned about their lives after discharge, the welfare of their comrades and the general condition of our nation. Such concerns gave rise to a value system, and The American Legion swiftly became the nation’s largest veterans service organization.
Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day.
March 30th the nation will observe “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day”. March 30th marks the historic withdrawal of United States troops from Vietnam on March 30, 1973. Please join Veteran Owned Business, our members, families and friends as we pay tribute to the valiant service of Vietnam War and Vietnam-Era Veterans.
All around our great nation there will be celebrations and opportunities to thank the veterans of the Vietnam War and also provide them with the welcoming that many did not receive at the completion of their noble service to our country. It is important and fitting that our nation recognizes the brave service men and women who made profound sacrifices in the Vietnam War including the more than 58,000 Americans who lost their lives and the more than 300,000 who were wounded during the Vietnam War.
National Former Prisoners Of War (POW) Recognition Day.
On every April 9, the nation honors over 500,000 Americans who were captured while serving. It is more specifically dedicated to the 60,000 to 80,000 U.S and Filipino military members who were seized by the Imperial Japanese army in 1942 at Bataan Peninsula, Philippines.
Gold Star Spouses Day.
Gold Star Spouses refers to military members’ surviving loved ones. On April 5, these loved ones are honored.
The U.S. Army Chaplain Corps Birthday.
The U.S. Army Chaplaincy provides religious support to America’s Army while assisting commanders in ensuring the right of free exercise of religion for all Soldiers. In short, we nurture the living, care for the wounded, and honor the fallen.
Since July 29, 1775, approximately 25,000 Army Chaplains have served as religious and spiritual leaders for 25 million Soldiers and their Families. From military installations to deployed combat units and from service schools to military hospitals, Army Chaplains and Chaplain Assistants have performed their ministries in the most religiously diverse organization in the world. Always present with their Soldiers in war and in peace, Army Chaplains have served in more than 270 major wars and combat engagements. Nearly 300 Army Chaplains have laid down their lives in battle. Six have been awarded the Medal of Honor. Their love of God, Country and the American Soldier has been a beacon of light and a message of hope for all those who have served our nation. Currently, over 2,900 Chaplains are serving the Total Army representing over 130 different religious organizations.
National PTSD awareness Day.
June 27 marks PTSD Awareness Day.
Today’s National Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Day observance reflects how PTSD became known as an “invisible wound of war” during more than a decade of combat, a Defense Health Agency official said.
John Davison, a clinical psychologist and chief of condition-based specialty care in DHA’s clinical support division, said in a June 24 DoD News interview that it’s important to recognize PTSD’s signs and symptoms.
“We know a lot more about PTSD today than we did after previous wars, such as Vietnam,” Davison said, noting that symptoms of PTSD have existed in every war in American history.
The Senate established PTSD Awareness Day in 2010 following then-Sen. Kent Conrad’s efforts to designate a day of awareness as tribute to Army Staff Sgt. Joe Biel of the North Dakota National Guard, Davison said. Biel suffered from PTSD and took his life in April 2007 after returning to North Dakota following his second tour of duty in the Iraq War.
Biel’s birthday, June 27, was chosen to mark PTSD Awareness Day and honor his memory.
D-Day Invasion Anniversary.
On June 6, 1944, 160,000 Allied troops landed along a 50-mile stretch of heavily-fortified French coastline to fight Nazi Germany on the beaches of Normandy, France. General Dwight D. Eisenhower called the operation a crusade in which “we will accept nothing less than full victory.” More than 5,000 Ships and 13,000 aircraft supported the D-Day invasion, and by day’s end on June 6, the Allies gained a foot-hold in Normandy. The D-Day cost was high — more than 9,000 Allied Soldiers were killed or wounded — but more than 100,000 Soldiers began the march across Europe to defeat Hitler.
Purple Heart Day.
The Purple Heart is awarded to any member of the U.S. Armed Forces that has been wounded or died as a result of a wound in battle. This now includes those persons who died in captivity while a prisoner of war (POW). We now celebrate Purple Heart Day on the anniversary of its inception, August 7th. On this day it is our patriotic duty to remember and recognize those people willing to serve our country, no matter the price.
National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.
Pearl harbor Remembrance Day, is observed annually in the United States on December 7, to remember and honor the 2,403 Americans who were killed in the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii on December 7, 1941, which led to the United States declaring war on Japan the next day and thus entering World War II.
Military Birthdays.
- Coast Guard Reserve = February 19
- Navy Reserve = March 3
- Air Force Reserve = April 14
- Army Reserve = April 23
- Army = June 14
- Coast Guard Auxiliary = June 23
- Department of Defense = August 10
- Marine Corps Reserve = August 29
- Air Force = September 18
- Air National Guard = September 18
- Office of the Secretary of Defense
- Navy = October 13
- Marine Corps = November 10
- Civil Air Patrol Birthday = December 1
- National Guard = December 13
- Space Force = December 14