Celebrating the Heroes at Home During Military Family Month

By Brandon Swenson October 4, 2022

In Sincere Appreciation for Sacrifices Made on the Home Front

Serving in any branch of the United States Armed Forces comes with sacrifice—a sacrifice born from a sense of duty and desire to defend our nation. It’s a sacrifice that is both intensely personal and communal, as elite soldiers, sailors, airmen, guards and marines come together for a common cause.

It is also a sacrifice made at home by military families.

The sacrifice goes beyond having a loved one deployed on some foreign shore. In a million different ways, they are challenged to make new sacrifices daily. Every day dawns with the understanding that, at any moment, a new PCS could force them to uproot and make a fresh start at another base in another state, or country.

For the support they offer our dedicated servicemembers day in and day out, November has been named Military Family Month in honor of them.

Military Family Month—A Brief History

Every November since 1996, the President of the United States signs a proclamation calling upon citizens to honor the contributions made by military families in service to our nation. It was in 1996 that the Armed Services YMCA, with support from the government, first established Military Family Month.

Traditionally, November has been the time of year when families come together to celebrate the holidays and spend time together. Therefore, there’s no better season or month to recognize the commitment and dedication military families everywhere make to ensure our military, and our nation, remain strong.

Military Family Month has also been called Military Family Appreciation Month, and recent proclamations have entitled it National Veterans and Military Families Month.

Additional Calendar Events in Appreciation of the Military Family

Spring is another season of appreciation for members of military families, namely April and May.

April is the Month of the Military Child, where the children of service members and veterans are recognized and appreciated for their role in the military community. Throughout April, citizens are encouraged to wear purple to show support for military youth, and major sporting events across the nation traditionally make announcements recognizing military children.

Then comes May, Military Appreciation Month, in celebration of the sacrifice and service of all current and former servicemembers. Not coincidentally, May holds the day—the last Monday of the month—that we set aside to honor those brave men and women who died in military service to our country: Memorial Day.

Another day in May, the Friday before Mother’s Day, is also reserved to celebrate the often unsung heroes of the military community—spouses. Military Spouse Appreciation Day was first recognized in 1984 by President Ronald Reagan, and has been recognized by sitting presidents via proclamation ever since.

UA Grantham Has Long Appreciated Our Military Members and Their Families

At University of Arkansas Grantham, we hold our military servicemembers and their families in the highest esteem. After all, we first began as an educational institution founded by a veteran for veterans.

Our programs and history of serving those who serve is a testament to our commitment to military heroes. In fact, through our Heroes Program, we help service members and veterans maximize their educational options with discounted tuition rates, student support, dedicated faculty, 60+ accredited degree programs as well as online learning convenience and flexible course schedules that go where they go, even for PCS.

It’s a dedication that has gained us a reputation for military friendliness, including recognition as a Military Friendly Spouse School and a Military Friendly School for the last for 12 consecutive years.

Are you in a military family and looking for an accommodating university that supports your educational efforts every step of the way? One that offers high-quality degree and certificate programs, the convenience of a fully-online learning format, and a deep understanding of the challenges you face as part of the military community? If so, University of Arkansas Grantham is the school for you. Learn more by reaching out to us today!

About the Author

Brandon Swenson
Brandon Swenson, communications manager, is on University of Arkansas Grantham’s editorial board. A veteran and college graduate himself, he understands the benefits and intricacies of government education programs, such as veteran education benefits. Brandon earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City toward the end of his nearly two-decade tour in the United States Marine Corps.
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