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Military Holidays and Observances – Military Calendar

Written by Everett Bledsoe / Fact checked by Brain Bartell

military holidays and observances

Did you know that there are a lot of military holidays and observances? Here, we have a military calendar for you to refer to with all the important dates. Continue reading to find the different occasions and celebrations.

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

Military Months

military-appreciation-day

April

1. Month of the Military Child

April is the Month of the Military Child. It honors the sacrifices of military families across the world, especially the dependent children. There are parades, seminars, and fairs throughout the month to celebrate.

2. Military Saves Month

This used to be Military Saves Week. It inspires military families to save money each month to build personal wealth, reach savings goals, and reduce debt.

May

1. Month of the Military Caregiver

“Month of the Military Caregiver” pays tribute to Veterans, troops, and military families’ caregivers. It is an observance that is meant to raise awareness of the wounded members as well.

2. National Military Appreciation Month

This is exactly what it sounds like. It is a month for people to show support for the military and the people that make up it.

November

  • National Veterans and Military Family Month
  • Warrior Care Month
  • National Family Caregivers Month

Military Days

how-many-months-do-veterans-have

February

National Salute to Veteran Patients

This is an observation on the week of February 14 for anyone with a Veteran member receiving medical treatment. It is a day to pay tribute to the patients in VA medical facilities and Veterans who receive care. It is also a day to raise community awareness of the VA medical center.

March

1. K-9 Veterans Day

K-9 Veterans Day is observed on March 13. It is a day to honor the military war dogs or military working dogs deployed all over the globe.

2. Medal of Honor Day

This is a day for recipients of the Medal of Honor, which is awarded by Congress. It is on March 25 and is meant to remember the sacrifices of members who have earned the highest of military honors.

3. National Vietnam War Veterans Day

This is on March 29, and it is meant to thank Vietnam veterans for their service and sacrifice. It is also a day to recognize the Allies’ contributions and highlight advances during the war.

April

1. Gold Star Spouses Day

Gold Star Spouses refers to military members’ surviving loved ones. On April 5, these loved ones are honored.

2. 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.

3. Purple Up! Day

This is a day for military kids. On this day, the DoD’s Education Activity communities thank and show their support to military children by wearing purple.

4. National Military Brats Day

This day is observed on April 30. It is meant to celebrate “military brats” who are essentially, are or once were children of military members.

May

1. National Correctional Officers Week

This is the first week of May. It runs alongside the Public Service Recognition Week from May 1 to May 7. Since 1984, it has been a week to recognize correctional officers.

2. Silver Star Service Banner Day

The Silver Star Service Banner Day is on May 1, at the same time as Loyalty Day. It recognizes recipients of the Silver Star Medal and pays tributes to ill and wounded Veterans.

3. VE Day

This day (May 8) commemorates the U.S’s victory in Europe, marking the end of World War II. It is the nation’s 76th VE day this year (2022).

4. Military Spouse Appreciation Day

This is the Friday before Mothers Day. It is a presidentially-approved day for military spouses as part of the National Military Appreciation Month. It started in 1999, under an official Congress declaration.

5. Armed Forces Week

This is the week leading up to Armed Forces Day. Usually, there are flag raising events, parades, luncheons, and base-level gatherings. During this week, Americans remember the service of all the military’s branches.

6. Children of Fallen Patriots Day

On May 13, children of service members who have passed away during service are honored. The date was set as the day Arlington National Cemetery was established.

7. Peace Officers Memorial Day

This is a day to remember law enforcement officers who have been disabled or have died while on duty. It was started in 1962 by President John F. Kennedy as part of National Police Week on the week of May 15.

8. Armed Forces Day

This is a joint celebration day on the third Saturday in May for all branches of the U.S military. As such, it honors everyone currently in service. The day was created by Louis Johnson in 1949, who at the time, was the Secretary of Defense.

9. Memorial Day

This is a federal holiday on May 30, which is the last Monday of the month. It pays tribute to the military members who died while serving. Originally, it was Decoration Day.

June

Women Veterans Day

This is on June 12. It is a day to recognize and honor women Veterans.

July

1. National Hire a Veteran Day

Since 2017, July 25 has been a day to urge employers to hire and promote qualified Veterans.

2. National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day

The President annually issues a proclamation announcing July 27 as the day to honor Korean War veterans and their families. There are usually observances on military bases and at military cemeteries.

3. Army Chaplain Corps Anniversary

The Army Chaplain Corps celebrates its birthday on July 29, which was when it was authorized by the Continental Congress.

August

1. Coast Guard Day

August 4 recognizes and honors the efforts of the Coast Guard.

2. Purple Heart Day

Also referred to as National Purple Heart Day, Purple Heart Appreciation Day, and Purple Heart Recognition Day, August 7 remembers the recipients of the Purple Heart.

3. Agent Orange Awareness Day

August 10 raises awareness of the effects of Agent Orange, which was used in the Vietnam War.

4. National Airborne Day

August 15 celebrates the Army parachute tradition and achievements of Army paratroopers.

September

1. V-J Day

September 2 is the American Date of the Victory over Japan in World War II.

2. Patriot Day

This is the National Day of Service and Remembrance for people who died because of 9/11.

3. National POW/MIA Recognition Day

On the third Friday of the month, Americans remember the sacrifices of military members who have gone missing while in action and of POWs.

4. Gold Star Mother’s Day

September 25 recognizes and honors mothers who have lost a child in service.

October

Day of the Deployed

October 25 honors deployed troops and their families.

November

1. National Veterans Small Business Week

November 1 to 5 celebrates Veterans and their contributions to American small businesses.

2. Veterans Day

This is an annual federal holiday on November 1. It honors all American Veterans with parades, ceremonies, virtual events, etc.

December

1. National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day

December 7 remembers all those who have died in the Pearl Harbor attack.

2. National Wreaths Across America

December 17 pays tributes to Veterans who have given up their lives in wars since the American Revolution.

Conclusion

At this point, you should have all the military appreciation days and veterans months noted in your calendar. You no longer have to wonder about “How many months do Veterans have?” but instead, you can refer to your calendar or this post for veteran appreciation days, among other veteran holidays!

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