May is National Military Appreciation Month. The members of the United States (US) Armed Forces continue to play an integral role in the development and protection of our country and freedoms. This month gives us the opportunity to demonstrate appreciation for past and present military personnel and their families for their service and sacrifices.
There are multiple branches of the US military within the US Department of Defense. Each branch of the military is over two hundred years old, except for the US Air Force which was founded in 1947. The U.S. Space Force (USSF) is the newest branch of the Armed Forces and was established December 20, 2019. Each branch of the military maintains unique roles in protecting our nation. You can find links to the official websites along with a brief overview of each branch of the armed forces at the U.S. Department of Defense.
The month of May has the most days set aside for celebrating and commemorating our military’s achievements. There are several national observances during this month. The first day of observance dedicated to the military is Loyalty Day which is May 1st. This day is dedicated to the reaffirmation of loyalty to the US and to reflect on the heritage of our American freedom. Along with this, Public Service Recognition Week (PSRW) takes place the first full week in May. During PSRW, we honor the people who serve our nation as federal, state, county, and local government employees. Additionally, May 8th is Victory in Europe Day, also known as VE Day. On this day in 1945, World War II ended due to Germany surrendering to the Allies. In addition to this, every Friday before Mother’s Day is Military Spouse Appreciation Day. We honor the families of our soldiers and sailors since they keep our Armed Forces strong and our country safe. Also, Armed Forces Day, which is recognized the third Saturday in May, is dedicated to honoring all the patriotic Americans who have made the choice to serve our country. Lastly, May 29th is Memorial Day which is dedicated to honoring our veterans and commemorating those who died while serving our country.
Our military service members past, present, and future represent the highest caliber of professionalism and should be commended for their service to our country. Throughout this month, I hope you will take the opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to our people in uniform.
If you have questions regarding any of the information mentioned in this week’s article, please do not hesitate to call my Capitol or District Office. Please always feel free to contact my office if you have any questions or issues regarding a Texas state agency, or if you would like to contact my office regarding constituent services. As always, my offices are available at any time to assist with questions, concerns, or comments (Capitol Office, 512-463-0672; District Office, 361-949-4603.
– State Representative Todd Hunter, District 32
Rep. Hunter represents Aransas County and Nueces County (Part). He can be contacted at todd.hunter@house.texas.gov or at 512-463-0672
