America’s service members demonstrate extraordinary dedication, often putting themselves in harm’s way to protect our freedoms. Patriotic holidays like Veterans Day and Memorial Day are a wonderful opportunity to honor these incredible individuals. 

But did you know there’s an entire month dedicated to American military personnel? Military Appreciation Month offers the opportunity to show gratitude to military veterans with words of appreciation through volunteering or through acts of kindness. In this article, we’ll discuss how to thank someone for their service in the military, not just on specific holidays but all year long. 

Carrot-Top is proud to offer top-quality American flags that make it easy to showcase your patriotism and show your appreciation for our nation’s military. Explore our full line of indoor and outdoor models on sale now. Shop today! 

Military Appreciation Month: A Time to Show Gratitude 

Military Appreciation Month is a special time dedicated to honoring the efforts of America’s Armed Forces. Occurring every May, it is a great opportunity to bring understanding and awareness to the challenges our military members face. First proposed by Senator John McCain in 1999, it also encourages deeper conversations about the sacrifices and daily realities faced by veterans, active duty service members, and their families. 

How to Thank Someone for Their Military Service 

Being a military service member isn’t just a job; it’s a way of life. These brave men and women give everything for their country. Here are a few ways you can show your appreciation for their bravery. 

1. Create a “Wall of Honor” 

Set up a dedicated space in your community center or workplace to showcase photos and stories of local veterans and active duty members. Highlighting people in your community who serve is a great way to build pride and bring people together.  

2. Set Up a “Field of Flags” Display 

A field of flags is a powerful way to honor America’s veterans. Place U.S. flags in a public space or business property to show your patriotism and support. It’s a great way to get your community involved and celebrate our Armed Forces. Take your display to the next level by adding the names of local service members to each flag. 

3. Encourage Employees to Wear Red on Fridays 

RED, or Remember Everyone Deployed Fridays, brings awareness to our deployed active-duty military personnel. All you have to do is wear something red every Friday as an act of solidarity. It’s an easy way to support those who serve. 

4. Send a Military Care Package 

Sending a care package to a military member is easy with Operation Gratitude. This nonprofit provides packages to deployed service members. You can volunteer your time or donate to ensure these important gifts continue to go to the brave men and women who deserve it most. 

5. Hang a Support our Troops Flag 

Show your gratitude with a Support Our Troops flag. Create a touching flag display at your home or office. These flags are the perfect way to show military members how much you appreciate them. For an even more impactful display, pair it with an American flag. 

6. Volunteer or Donate 

Organizations like the USO and American Legion have hundreds of locations around the country. You can contact your local branch to see how you can get involved. You can also donate to veterans organizations like the Wounded Warrior Project or the DAV.  

7. Help Out at a VA Cemetary 

VA cemeteries rely on volunteers. There are many ways to help, like laying holiday wreaths, serving in military funeral honors, greeting visitors, and more. These roles are a great way to continue honoring those who served. 

8. Ask Around 

Ask your friends, neighbors, and family members if there’s any local veterans that need help. Chances are they know of someone who would greatly appreciate your time and effort. 

9. Shop at a Veteran-Owned Business 

Shopping at a veteran-owned business is a great way to show your appreciation and support. You can find local companies in the Veteran-Owned Business Directory. 

10. Clean Up a Veterans' Monument or Gravesite 

Cleaning up a veterans monument or gravesite is a free and easy way to show respect for their sacrifice. Take a few hours to pick up trash, clear shrubbery, or place flags to honor their bravery and legacy. 

11. Participate in a Local Event 

Local events like Run for the Fallen shed light on fallen service members and bring the community together. Go by yourself or bring a group and celebrate the lives of those who gave everything.  

12. Offer Career Advice or Training 

Giving career advice or training a veteran is a great way to equip them with skills to help them succeed. Use your specialty to educate and further their career after their time of service. 

13. Hoist an American Flag 

Honor our Armed Forces by flying a beautiful American Flag. Creating an eye-catching patriotic display is a great way to show your support and gratitude for their selflessness.  

While Military Appreciation Month is a dedicated time to reflect on and honor our service members, our gratitude shouldn’t be confined to just one month or a single day. It should be a year-round commitment to recognizing the ongoing sacrifices of those who serve.  

As Wayne Decker, former Business Development Manager at Carrot-Top and U.S. Marine Corps veteran, once said, “The best way I see to recognize a veteran is not to limit it to a single day. Just reach out your hand and thank them for the sacrifice and the time they had given in service — but that service never ends.” Military Appreciation Month simply serves as a renewed reminder to show that support—a prompt to do what we should already be doing every day. 

Key Dates During Military Appreciation Month 

Throughout May, there are multiple patriotic observances, making it one of the most patriotic times of the year. Here are some key dates to keep in mind during Military Appreciation Month: 

May 1 – Loyalty Day: Loyalty Day began as Americanization Day but was renamed in 1955 by President Eisenhower. It was designated by Congress as “a special day for the reaffirmation of loyalty to the United States and for the recognition of the heritage of American freedom.” 

May 8 – Victory in Europe Day (VE Day): VE Day marks the end of WWII and is a great reminder of the bravery of Allied servicemen. It’s not just an American holiday; VE Day is celebrated in many countries worldwide. 

The Friday Before Mother’s Day – Military Spouse Appreciation Day: First introduced in 1984 by President Reagan, this day celebrates military families and spouses. Reagan aimed to honor the selflessness of spouses who “subordinated their personal and professional aspirations to the greater benefit of the service family.” 

3rd Saturday in May – Armed Forces Day: Established after the signing of the National Security Act in 1947, Armed Forces Day replaced separate recognition days for each military branch. It honors all who have served or are currently serving in the U.S. military. 

Last Monday in May – Memorial Day: Rooted in post-Civil War traditions, Memorial Day became a national holiday in 1968 to pay tribute to those who gave their lives in military service. Families originally honored fallen service members with flower memorials. 

Other Key Military Holidays to Honor Veterans and Service Members 

Military Appreciation Month isn’t the only time we get to celebrate our incredible service members. Here are a few other key military holidays to keep in mind. 

Fourth of July (July 4): Independence Day is a popular holiday where people get together and celebrate our nation’s sovereignty. We get to remember the sacrifices our military members made to protect our freedom. While you’ll probably see many pictures and videos of fireworks on social media, that’s not the only way to celebrate this fun holiday. You can go to a parade or even fly the American flag to recognize your local vets. 

Patriot Day (September 11): Patriot Day honors the lives lost in the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and recognizes the bravery of first responders and military personnel. Many people observe the day by lowering flags to half-staff, attending memorial services, volunteering in their communities, or reflecting on the importance of unity and service. 

Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day (Last Sunday in September): This day honors the parents and families of fallen service members who made the ultimate sacrifice. Communities across the country often hold remembrance ceremonies and events to recognize and support Gold Star families for their enduring strength and service. 

Veterans Day (November 11): While Memorial Day honors fallen vets, Veterans Day celebrates everyone who served. You can support veterans from the past and present by attending one of many Veterans Day events. Something as small as saying, “Happy Veterans Day, God bless,” can mean so much. Veterans Day honors all those in every military branch, including the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Navy. You can also show your support by shopping at veteran-owned companies. 

Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day (December 7): Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day commemorates the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 and honors the 2,400 lives lost. Many observe the day with flag ceremonies, moments of silence at 7:55 a.m. (the time the attack began), and educational events to preserve the memory of those who served and sacrificed. 

Check out our blog "What are the Military Holidays?" to learn more about military holidays and download our military calendar.  

A Look at How Veterans Are Represented Across the U.S.

While this infographic reflects data from 2018, it offers a meaningful snapshot of how veterans are represented across the U.S. It highlights statistics such as the states with the highest and lowest percentages of veterans, Gulf War service rates, veteran unemployment, and VA facility availability—from the most medical centers to the least crowded. As we honor those who’ve served this Veterans Day, this graphic reminds us how veterans impact every state and why continued recognition and support matter.

Partner with Carrot-Top During Military Appreciation Month 

Carrot-Top is proud to offer top-quality ensigns. Along with our stunning American flags, we offer a wide range of products that make it easy to show your support for our military, including Support our Troops flags and U.S. cemetery flags. We also stock military flags for all service branches. Shop today!