A Thorough Compendium of Mil-Vet Holidays - Bob Woodruff Foundation

A Thorough Compendium of Mil-Vet Holidays

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As of November 1, 2020, National Veterans Intermediary (NVI) is called the Local Partner Network. Older content may reference our original name.

Keep an eye on your newsfeed this Memorial Day. I can nearly guarantee you that if you’re connected with veterans on social media, you’ll see a variety of posts—some constructive and some otherwise—educating others on the difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day.

Community leaders collaborating to serve veterans can take this as a two-fold lesson in both the value of military cultural competency, and the power of social media as a communication tool. Collaborative leaders should be mindful that, outside of the veterans’ space, there are only certain times of year when the media and our communities at large turn their attention to the issues that veterans face year-round. It’s valuable for your collaborative approach these special days with extra energy and attention for two reasons:

  1. When the nation’s eyes are on veterans and their needs, you have an “iron is hot” opportunity to invite new cross-sector partners into the fold.
  2. Careful observance of military holidays in outreach and communications efforts projects your collaborative’s military cultural competence, which goes a long way in building trust with the veterans you collectively serve.

Our list includes service birthdays, family appreciation days, official days of recognition, military anniversaries, and more. So, without further ado, here is NVI’s compendium of mil-vet holidays:

Service Birthdays

Service birthdays are the days on which a military service (also sometimes referred to as a “branch”, like the Marine Corps or the Army, for example) was founded, and are drilled into service members’ memories during basic training. These are celebrated formally, often with a ball, as well as more casually with events like 5K races and receptions.

  • June 14, 2019 – Army Birthday
  • August 4, 2019 – Coast Guard Birthday
  • September 18, 2019 – Air Force Birthday
  • October 13, 2019 – Navy Birthday
  • November 10, 2019 – Marine Corps Birthday
  • February 19, 2019 – Coast Guard Reserve Birthday
  • March 3, 2019 – Navy Reserve Birthday
  • April 14, 2019 – Air Force Reserve Birthday
  • April 23, 2019 – Army Reserve Birthday
  • August 29, 2019 – Marine Forces Reserve Birthday
  • December 1, 2019 – Civil Air Patrol Birthday
  • December 13, 2019 – National Guard Birthday

Military Milestones

These dates are important not just as a way to mark the historical importance of these battles and events, but to remember those who served, and honor military heritage. They’re also personal for many members of the military, and veteran families. Military service is often passed from generation to generation, so it’s likely that the veteran families you serve will have a personal connection–parent, grandparent, or other relative–to these dates.

  • May 8, 2019 – VE (Victory in Europe) Day (1945)
  • June 6, 2019 – D-Day (1944)
  • July 27, 2019 – Korean War Veterans Armistice Day (1953)
  • August 8, 2019 – VJ (Victory over Japan) Day (1945)
  • December 7, 2019 – Pearl Harbor Day (1941)

Military & Veterans Honors & Appreciation

These dates are important to recognize, but they’re also important to distinguish. While these days all honor veterans, some honor active duty, some honor veterans with specific decorations and statuses, and one honors those who made the ultimate sacrifice. That gravity means it’s vital to observe the differences. That’s why we’ll break this section down a bit more.

March 29, 2019 – Vietnam War Veterans Day

This date recognizes those who served on active duty between the dates November 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975, whether or not they served in theater. It’s an opportunity to thank these veterans for their service and sacrifice. It’s also an especially meaningful time to say “welcome home” to veterans who may not have been welcomed when they returned.

May 18, 2019 – Armed Forces Day

This day recognizes those who are currently serving, regardless of branch or era.

May 27, 2019 – Memorial Day

Memorial Day honors the service and sacrifice of those who died while serving in the military.

August 7, 2019 – Purple Heart Day

This date, set on the anniversary of the creation of the nation’s oldest military merit decoration, recognizes the bravery and service of those awarded the Purple Heart for actions while wounded or killed in action.

September 21, 2019 – National POW/MIA Recognition Day

POW/MIA Recognition Day is a time to remember the 82,000 servicemembers in prisoner of war or missing in action status.

October 26, 2019 – National Day of the Deployed

This is a newer day of recognition, founded in North Dakota in 2006 and recognized nationally beginning in 2011. It honors those currently deployed.

November 11, 2019 – Veterans Day

Veterans Day was celebrated as Armistice Day for many years before changing to Veterans Day in the 1950s, and was signed into law in 1975. The date is also observed by Canada, Britain, and Australia as “Remembrance Day.”

Family Recognition

Families serve alongside their service member, and transition when the service member transitions. It’s important to recognize their strengths and sacrifices. From celebrating military children to honoring Gold Star family members, these days are a meaningful recognition of the shared service and experience of military families.

  • March – Month of the Military Caregiver
  • April – Month of the Military Child
  • April 5, 2019 – Gold Star Spouses’ Day
  • May – National Military Appreciation Month
  • May 1, 2019 – Silver Star Service Banner Day
  • May 10, 2019 – Military Spouse Appreciation Day
  • May 13, 2019 – Children of Fallen Patriots Day
  • September 29, 2019 – Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day

Other Meaningful Holidays

While these holidays are not for veteran recognition, they carry extra meaning for those who have served. They are also days on which patriotism is at a high, and can be prime opportunities for outreach, education, and fundraising.

  • June 14, 2019 – Flag Day
  • July 4, 2019 – Independence Day
  • September 11, 2019 – Patriot Day