As a nation, we observe and participate in many events to raise social awareness. We celebrate Dairy Month, Cancer Awareness Month and Women’s History Month. We owe our military a great debt of gratitude for their sacrifice and courage, and this is why we celebrate Military Appreciation Month in May. With the fast pace of everyday life, it is possible to pass through without realizing what the military means to us. Even if you, or someone in your family doesn’t serve in the military, their action touches each and every one of our lives. This is especially true in a time when our nation is at war against international terrorists. This enemy of peace is unlike any we have seen in the past, and our military is learning from and building on previous successes and carrying peace and freedom into the future. Support military personnel There are more than 135,000 men and women serving in Iraq and 18,000 in Afghanistan today, they and their families deserve our support and appreciation. I’m sure we all know the family of a guardsmen or reservist who is abroad protecting America. We should think of how we can help and support these families – it could be as small as taking over a meal or offering to babysit. It’s these small gestures in their lives that will show them support. There are ways to get directly involved this month. A soldier-support grassroots effort that provides morale-lifting mail and care package support to more than 10,000 service members deployed overseas is Adopta Platoon.org. The program encourages families to support soldiers in the form of an “adoption.” Support consists of sending a weekly card or letter, acknowledging a soldier’s birthday, and sending at least one care-package per month. Soldiers who are in this program say they feel closer to home, knowing that they are supported and appreciated. World War II Memorial There are more than 80 million Americans who have worn a uniform for us, and their service has lasted more than the 227 years of our nation’s history. One significant remembrance that is new this year is the opening of the World War II (WWII) Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. This beautiful memorial honors the 16 million people who served in the armed forces of the United States during WWII, the more than 400,000 who lost their lives, as well as the millions more who supported the war effort from the home front. The monument stands on the mall as a tribute to the spirit, sacrifice and commitment of Americans to defending our nation. Placing a permanent monument on the National Mall brings greater understanding to younger generations about what the “greatest generation” accomplished in securing freedom and democracy. In this same spirit of recognition, it has been my great honor to present more than 200 Jubilee of Liberty Medals to Normandy veterans, recognizing them for their bravery and courage. Memorials and holidays are important symbols of American national unity, a timeless reminder of the moral strength and tremendous power that can emerge when free people are united in a common and just cause. We should keep all our military personnel in our thoughts and prayers, that they come home safely.
