Important Days/Times of the Year

Memorial Day May 30  http://www.usmemorialday.org

Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Order No. 11, and was first observed on 30 May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. The South refused to acknowledge the day, honoring their dead on separate days until after World War I (when the holiday changed from honoring just those who died fighting in the Civil War to honoring Americans who died fighting in any war).

Veterans Day November 11
http://www.usis.usemb.se/Holidays/celebrate/Veterans.html
http://geocities.com/athens/acropolis/1465/vets.html

The courage and patriotism of all men and women who have served in the armed services of the United States are honored on Veterans Day. In 1919, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11th Armistice Day, but the day did not become a national holiday until 1938. Its name was changed to Veterans Day by Congress in 1954. President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the bill into law for this day "to honor veterans...a day dedicated to world peace."

POW/MIA Day September
http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo/powday/index.htm
http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo/newsre/2001/010921_white_house_powmia_day_proclaimation.htm

National POW/MIA Recognition Day is notably significant for many American families.  It reminds us of the men and women who withstood great hardship while imprisoned by our Nation's enemies; and it reminds us of those still missing, loved ones lost at war but whose fate is not yet fully known.  We will not forget these patriots who were willing to give their all to preserve and protect our freedoms.
      Nearly 50,000 former POWs live among us, including those held captive during World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, throughout the Cold War era, and during Operation Desert Storm.  We owe an incalculable debt of gratitude to these quiet heroes who displayed great honor and indomitable wills and who sacrificed so much for our Nation.

National Military Awareness Month May  http://www.nmam.org

Washington, D.C.-- National Military Appreciation Month, as designated by Congress in May 1999, encompasses over 225 years of American history and is highlighted by VE Day, Military Spouse Appreciation Day, Armed Forces Day/Week and Memorial Day making May appropriate for expressing our Nation's appreciation. Through national, regional, and local activities this nationwide tribute recognizes our Nation's military family - active duty, National Guard and Reserve, retired, veterans, and those who gave their lives for their country and the freedoms we all enjoy today, and their family members - over 60 million Americans.

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