Military Appreciation Month 2026

May 2026 is Military Appreciation Month, a month-long national observance honoring current United States military service members, veterans, military families, and those who died serving their country. Military Appreciation Month was proposed in 1999 by Senator John McCain, who was concerned that military holidays were becoming disconnected from their original purpose of honoring the sacrifices of the United States Armed Forces. He proposed Military Appreciation Month to give renewed focus to military holidays and prevent them from losing their original meaning. In April 1999, the Senate unanimously passed McCain’s resolution, and Military Appreciation Month has been a national observance ever since. Congress chose May because it has more military-related observances than any other month.

To observe Military Appreciation Month the way originally intended, it is important to have some knowledge of what May military observances are and why they were established. History can help us understand how to carry on traditions of respect and why doing so remains important.

2026 May Military Observances

May 1, 2026: Silver Star Service Banner Day – The Silver Star service banner is a symbol displayed by military members or their families to honor those who have died, become ill, or been injured in combat. Established in 2010, Silver Star Service Banner Day is the official day to honor wounded, ill, and injured veterans and currently serving military members, and to pay respects to veterans who have been broadly affected by combat. It is often observed at the personal or community level.

May 8, 2026: Military Spouse Appreciation Day – Military spouses face unique challenges that are often invisible or misunderstood by civilian communities, including loneliness, worry, and constant change. Military Spouse Appreciation Day was first recognized by President Reagan in 1984 to acknowledge the importance of military spouses, who, despite adversity, have a significant impact on military communities. Military Spouse Appreciation Day is observed on the Friday before Mother’s Day.

May 13, 2026: Children of Fallen Patriots Day – Children and adolescents with fallen military parents often struggle with mental health and academic achievement. Without support, they are often left vulnerable to financial instability in adulthood. Children of Fallen Patriots Day was established in 2014 to ensure that the children who have lost parents in military conflict are not overlooked, and to raise awareness of the specific struggles they endure.

May 16, 2026: Armed Forces Day – During the Cold War, the Army, Navy, and Air Force each had separate commemoration days. Armed Forces Day was proposed in 1948 as a day to celebrate the combined strength of all military branches. President Truman was enthusiastic about the idea, and declared May 20, 1950, to be the first Armed Forces Day. While Memorial Day commemorates those who died while serving, Armed Forces Day celebrates active and former members of the U.S. military, recognizing their efforts to keep their fellow Americans out of harm’s way.

May 25, 2026: Memorial Day – Memorial Day is a federal holiday that celebrates and honors those who died while serving in the U.S. military. It dates to the Civil War, when communities sought to honor the 620,000 soldiers who did not make it home. In 1868, “Decoration Day” was established as a tradition dedicated to adorning military graves. Over time, the commemoration expanded from Civil War soldiers to soldiers of all wars, and Decoration Day gradually became Memorial Day. Memorial Day finally became a federal holiday in 1971 after generations of observance.

The State of Connecticut

This May 2026, the State of Connecticut recognized Military Appreciation Month by participating in events and other observances:

On May 23, 2026, the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs worked with volunteers to place over 13,000 flags at Veteran headstones at the Connecticut State Veterans Cemetery in a “Flags In” event to honor Memorial Day.
On May 25, 2026, the Department of Veterans Affairs Commissioner Ron Welch and the Middletown Council of Veterans hosted a public Memorial Day Ceremony at the State Veterans Cemetery.
On May 27, 2026, the Department of Administrative Services Equal Employment Opportunity Center of Excellence, in collaboration with the Department of Veterans Affairs, hosted the Military Appreciation Month 2026 Ceremony to honor and celebrate our past and current military service members. The event featured keynote speaker Dr. Carlita Cotton, a U.S. Air Force veteran and a member of the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs Board of Trustees.

In addition to participating in military appreciation events, the State of Connecticut supports current and former military service members year-round by providing specialized services offered through the Department of Administrative Services, Department of Labor, Department of Veterans Affairs, and other State agencies to ensure they are able to successfully reintegrate into civilian life and find meaningful employment. Services include:

Preference for veterans in the hiring process,
Personalized readiness and job matching programs,
Targeted apprenticeships and internships,
Specialized accommodations for disabled veterans,
and many more.

Resources for current military service members and veterans can be found on the Veterans Services page of the State of Department of Labor website. Additional programs and services can be accessed via the links below.