| National Military Appreciation Month | |
|---|---|
 GovernorDavid Ige presents the Proclamation for Hawaii Military Appreciation Month, to U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen.Kevin Schneider. | |
| Official name | Military Appreciation Month |
| Observed by | United States |
| Type | National, Historic |
| Significance | Dedicates a month for the recognition and appreciation of active and retired members of the United States Armed Forces |
| Observances | Military Spouse Day,Memorial Day,Loyalty Day andArmed Forces Day[1] |
| Begins | May 1[2] |
| Ends | May 31 |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Related to | Veterans Day and National Military Family Appreciation Month |
National Military Appreciation Month, also known asMilitary Appreciation Month, is a month-long observance in theUnited States, dedicated to people who are currently serving in, and veterans of, theUnited States military.[3][4] Each year, the observance runs from May 1 to May 31.[5]
SenatorJohn McCain proposed the month long observance on February 9, 1999.[6] On April 30, 1999,Congress designated National Military Appreciation Month as a month-long observance.[7][8] Congress chose May because it contains many military related observances, such asMemorial Day andLoyalty Day. Congress recognized the month after a unanimous vote of 93–0 in April of that year.[9]
Since May 1999, almost all of the states have made proclamations about the month, with the first ones beingArizona,Montana,North Carolina,Washington andMichigan.[10][11][12][13][14]
In the 2020s, videogame company Activision Blizzard created virtual events to celebrate and raise funds for Military Appreciation Month through the video game Call of Duty Warzone.[15][16]
On May 2, 2016,Chevrolet donated $5 million+ worth of cars to theNational Navy UDT-SEAL Museum.[17] Multiple companies give discounts to people who currently serve or resigned in the military which include all6 branches. Some notable companies that give these discounts areHome Depot,Hulu,Lowe's,T-Mobile andVerizon.[18][19] Some brands only give discounts to veterans on certain days on Military Appreciation Month such asAdidas,Chevrolet,Nike,Chick-fil-A,Ford,Under Armour andIHOP.[20][21] Many families in the United States thanked the military veterans during the month long observance to show respect.[22] The humanitarian organization known asRed Cross provided more than 15,000 military veteran families during the 2021 Military Appreciation Month to the 2022 Military Appreciation Month.[23] There are also about 50 large companies that give discounts during the month.[24]
Nascar recognized the month during May 2022 through the annual NASCAR Salutes Together with Coca-Cola program.[25] TheUSS Lexington, also known asThe Blue Ghost, made an exhibit about some of the veterans that fought on it duringWW2 which the exhibit stayed for the entirety of May 2021 Military Appreciation Month.[26] Education discounts for military is also noticeable during the month long observance.[27] TheUSS Missouri was luminated in red, white and blue for the 23rd annual Hawaii Military Appreciation Month opening ceremony.[28] At theCalifornia African American Museum, they made an exhibit featuring black soldiers accomplishments in World War 2.[29]
Military Appreciation Day is observed on August 31 and has the same idea as the month. Although not as popular as the month, it still is relevant in state fairs.[30] The observation was created in 1949.[31]
With May being Military Appreciation Month [...] it seemed like a good time to do it
Governor Roy Cooper has proclaimed May as Military Appreciation Month to honor the contributions and sacrifices North Carolina's servicemembers, veterans and their families have made for North Carolina and the nation
donate $1 to the Call of Duty Endowment for the equivalent of every 10 virtual kilometers a player runs in the game's massive Caldera map between May 26 and June 3, capped at $1 million, to celebrate Military Appreciation Month
made a $2 million donation to the endowment for National Military Appreciation Month in May. Now, Goldenberg's organization is teaming with [...] developer Infinity Ward to raise additional money to help in this challenge [...] will have the ability to help the cause by purchasing