Military Family Month dedicates November to military families around the world. The observance recognizes the commitment and dedication these families make to their service members. Their sacrifices make it possible for our military to remain organized and strong.
While servicemen and women are actively serving, deployed or training, their families provide a vital foundation at home that allows confidence in the field. Spouses and children are often separated from their service members for long periods of time and over great distances. Communication can be patchy and under stressful conditions. And they frequently move, uprooting children and jobs. But, military families are adaptable.
During November, the country honors the military families who make the U.S. Armed Forces strong.
HOW TO OBSERVE #MilitaryFamilyMonth
Thank a veteran, active duty, reserve or national guard service member or family member for their service by giving back. Ask your military families how you can support them. Many will not ask when they need it. In many cases, through deployments or other circumstances, military families will band together. But even then that may not be enough.
- Adopt a military family for the holidays. You can also sponsor a Food Basket or Toys for junior enlisted military families through the ASYMCA’s Operation Holiday Joy.
- Offer to run errands for military spouses who may have their hands full with their children or even their pets.
- Volunteer or donate services to military organizations.
- Read upcoming legislation and learn how it impacts our military, veterans, and their families. Then write and call your legislators.
- Families, participate in events all month long in your honor. Many organizations will be hosting dinners, webinars, educational opportunities, and more.
- Donate a Thanksgiving gift to junior-enlisted members and their families through the USO-Metro’s Turkeys for Troops!
- Create a Spouse or Service Member Care Package with items that would help either ease stress during a deployment.
- Adopt-a-Soldier for the Holidays
- Create a spouse care package for them to enjoy and help reduce stress during training, deployment, and PCS moves and relocations.
- Thank an Active-Duty Member, Veteran, Military Spouse, or Military Child for their service.
- Visit war memorials with your family to teach your children the value of service.
- Fly the U.S. Flag.
- Contact your nearest military base Morale, Welfare, And Recreation (MWR) office to see what events or activities might be planned on-post honoring families including special events, contests, or discounts for local businesses or attractions. Sometimes just showing up for an event or ceremony creates a stronger bond in the community.
- Volunteer at a local chapter of a Veterans Service Organization (VSO) such as the Red Cross, AmVets, Disabled American Veterans (DAV), American Legion, etc.
- Donate professional services to military communities. Are you a professional counselor, psychologist, social worker, therapist, child care professional, or community organizer? Private and chartered organizations serving military families may need your expertise to make an impact in military communities whether active duty, Guard, Reserve, retirees, etc.
- Contact your nearest chapter of the Navy/Marine Corps Relief Society, Air Force Aid Society, Army Emergency Relief, or Coast Guard Mutual Assistance, to volunteer or participate in scheduled events to support their efforts. The winter months are prime fundraising and support time for these societies as they gear up to assist military families over the holiday season. The annual Toys For Tots drives and similar efforts held by these agencies are always in need of volunteer help.
- Visit a veteran receiving care in a VA hospital or nursing home.
- Offer a military neighbor a bit of respite with volunteer childcare to get errands accomplished or to even enjoy a few hours to recharge.
- See someone in uniform? Thank them for their service or surprise them with a free coffee, dessert or drink if they are in line behind you.
- Make a donation or volunteer with a military assistance organization like the Armed Services YMCA.
Use #MilitaryFamilyMonth to post on social media.
MILITARY FAMILY MONTH HISTORY
The Armed Services YMCA along with the U.S. Government established Military Family Month in 1996 by expanding Military Family Week. Each year, the President declares the month through a signed proclamation.
Article originally published at https://nationaldaycalendar.com/military-family-month-november/. With excerpts from https://militarybenefits.info/military-family-month/.
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