Current News – Military Appreciation Month

May 1

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There is no need to wait until Memorial Day to put out your flag!!  May is Military appreciation Month and I take a break in our Pacific War story to have each and every one of you have this information.  I hope you enjoy this THANK YOU today for those that have served in the U.S. military, past and present, and to those of you who served in nations that have stood shoulder to shoulder with America

May is a special month for both those in and out of the military. For service members and veterans, it’s a chance to pay tribute to supportive families and spouses on Military Spouse Appreciation Day, and honor the memory of those who have sacrificed for this nation on Memorial Day. For the general public, the entire month provides an opportunity to say thanks to all those, past and present, who have contributed to the U.S. military.

What is Military Appreciation Month?

Congress designated May as National Military Appreciation Month in 1999 to ensure the nation was given the opportunity to publicly demonstrate their appreciation for the sacrifices and successes made by our service members — past and present. Each year the president makes a proclamation, reminding Americans of the important role the U.S. Armed Forces have played in the history and development of our country. May was selected because it has the most days set aside for celebrating and commemorating our military’s achievements. In addition to the special days already mentioned, important dates for the military in May include Loyalty Day, which was established in 1921, Victory in Europe (VE) Day commemorating the end of WWII in Europe in 1945 and Armed Forces Day.

Military Appreciation Day

Many locations also celebrate a specific Military Appreciation Day. Although not a nationally recognized holiday, areas use the day to hold parties and picnics in honor of their local active duty, Guard, Reserve and military veteran communities. Local businesses may offer discounts, while local sports teams may give free entrance to military families and veterans.

We honor you

Join Military.com this month in honoring, remembering, recognizing and appreciating those who have served and those now serving — read special features, and learn the history behind Military Appreciation Month. If you’re a service member, military family member and veteran, you can find out about major events taking place throughout the month, as well as important discounts being offered by companies in thanks for your military service

For more information please contact Military.com

Everett Smith; artwork courtesy of https://priorhouse,wordpress.com/

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Military Humor – 

Enlarge to read!

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Farewell Salutes – 

David Altop – Salt Lake City, UT; USMC, WWII, PTO, radio operator

Louis Contos – San Pedro, CA; US Army Air Corps, WWII

Robert Fraser – Toronto, CAN; RC Army, WWII, 48th Highlanders

Weston Lee – Bluffton, GA; US Army, Iraq, 1st Lt., 82nd Airborne Division, KIA

Michael Mantenuto – Holliston, MA; US Army, 1st Special Forces Group

Clifford Oberlander – Bismark, ND; US Navy, Flight Officer

Joshua Rodgers – Bloomington, IL; US Army, Afghanistan, 3/75th Ranger Regiment, Sgt., KIA

Frank Streather – Sydney AUS; RA Air Force, WWII, 452nd Squadron

Cameron Thomas – Kettering, OH; US Army, Afghanistan, 3/75th Ranger Regiment, Sgt., KIA

Russell Turner – Houston, TX; US Army Air Corps, WWII, PTO, 11th Airborne Division

Joseph Ventresca Sr. – Buffalo, NY; USMC, WWII, PTO

 

About GP

Everett Smith served with the Headquarters Company, 187th Regiment, 11th A/B Division during WWII. This site is in tribute to my father, "Smitty." GP is a member of the 11th Airborne Association. Member # 4511 and extremely proud of that fact!

Posted on May 1, 2017, in Current News, Home Front, Korean War, Uncategorized, Vietnam, WWII and tagged , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink. 111 Comments.

  1. Equipping | June 7, 2019 at 9:25 PM

    Thanks for your like of my post, “The Life of Christ – John 1:19-34;” your kindness is greatly appreciated.

    Liked by 1 person

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  2. Lady G | May 9, 2017 at 12:51 PM

    Hi GP!
    Again I have to say how wonderful it is that you always honor our military. Your blog reminds us all to give thanks and to give it often.
    Coming from a family steeped in military service, I know how just how important that is
    Thanks my friend!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  3. Lavinia Ross | May 7, 2017 at 5:44 PM

    Thank you, all of you, who have served or supported our troops. And please, don’t forget those veterans who have come home and still need our support more than ever!

    Liked by 1 person

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  4. Richard Schulte | May 7, 2017 at 11:21 AM

    A big thank you to all those who serve and who’ve served. I’m fortunate to see many of these heroes every day in San Diego.

    Liked by 1 person

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  5. Christy B | May 4, 2017 at 5:39 PM

    Let’s express our thanks to those who served ~ appreciation is what they deserve every day ♥

    Liked by 1 person

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  6. natuurfreak | May 3, 2017 at 6:14 PM

    Very good post we may never forget what all this men and woman has done for our freedom

    Liked by 1 person

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  7. colonialist | May 2, 2017 at 2:30 PM

    I hope it develops even half the appreciation those who are or have been in the services deserve.

    Liked by 1 person

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  8. chattykerry | May 2, 2017 at 11:31 AM

    I appreciate you and all your service, in the past and currently. 💋

    Liked by 1 person

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    • GP Cox | May 2, 2017 at 1:36 PM

      I wish I had served, Kerry, but back in 1968, Smitty said his one and only NO to me. I respected his wishes, but have often kicked myself for not disobeying. Those that have and continue to serve deserve so much more from me, they allow me to sleep at night. I appreciate your sentiment.

      Liked by 2 people

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      • chattykerry | May 2, 2017 at 3:02 PM

        I didn’t realize that but your posts serve the military in a very positive way. Your voluntary contribution is very much appreciated not just by me but all your followers. We all have a small part to play and when I volunteered at a psychiatric hospital, I sat and listened to a serviceman who had lost limbs with PSTD. The stories he told me of combat left me sleepless… I hope he got better.

        Liked by 1 person

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  10. mikemjensen | May 2, 2017 at 9:22 AM

    I came close to enlisting in 1984 but life took me in another course. I, however, know that my life has benefited from the many men and women, including members of my family, who did serve in the armed forces. And for the life of me cannot figure out why anyone who has been in harms’s way in the name of this country, still has to pay taxes. i think they have paid in full.

    Liked by 1 person

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    • GP Cox | May 2, 2017 at 1:32 PM

      I understand. I did not enlist because it was the only time my father said NO to me. So, in 1968, I did not continue looking into that career. As far the men paying taxes – I agree!

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  12. RoseMary Griffith | May 2, 2017 at 8:15 AM

    Any “excuse” to be kind to our Vets works for me–love to acknowledge them and their service.

    Liked by 1 person

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  14. Lloyd Marken | May 2, 2017 at 7:29 AM

    Out-frickin-standin! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

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  15. GP Cox | May 2, 2017 at 6:05 AM

    Sent to me by my foster brother Billy….

    In September of 2005, on the first day of school, Martha Cothren, a History teacher at Robinson High School in Little Rock , did something not to be forgotten. On the first day of school, with the permission of the school superintendent, the principal and the building supervisor, she removed all of the desks in her classroom. When the first period kids entered the room they discovered that there were no desks.

    ‘Ms. Cothren, where are our desks?’

    She replied, ‘You can’t have a desk until you tell me how you earn the right to sit at a desk.’

    They thought, ‘Well, maybe it’s our grades.’ ‘No,’ she said.

    ‘Maybe it’s our behavior.’ She told them, ‘No, it’s not even your behavior.’

    And so, they came and went, the first period, second period, third period. Still no desks in the classroom. Kids called their parents to tell them what was happening and by early afternoon television news crews had started gathering at the school to report about this crazy teacher who had taken all the desks out of her room.

    The final period of the day came and as the puzzled students found seats on the floor of the desk-less classroom. Martha Cothren said, ‘Throughout the day no one has been able to tell me just what he or she has done to earn the right to sit at the desks that are ordinarily found in this classroom. Now I am going to tell you.’

    At this point, Martha Cothren went over to the door of her classroom and opened it. Twenty-seven (27) U.S. Veterans, all in uniform, walked into that classroom, each one carrying a school desk. The Vets began placing the school desks in rows, and then they would walk over and stand alongside the wall. By the time the last soldier had set the final desk in place those kids started to understand, perhaps for the first time in their lives, just how the right to sit at those desks had been earned.

    Martha said, ‘You didn’t earn the right to sit at these desks. These heroes did it for you. They placed the desks here for you. They went halfway around the world, giving up their education and interrupting their careers and families so you could have the freedom you have. Now, it’s up to you to sit in them. It is your responsibility to learn, to be good students, to be good citizens. They paid the price so that you could have the freedom to get an education. Don’t ever forget it.’

    By the way, this is a true story. And this teacher was awarded the Veterans of Foreign Wars Teacher of the Year for the State of Arkansas in 2006. She is the daughter of a WWII POW.

    Do you think this email is worth passing along so others won’t forget either, that the freedoms we have in this great country were earned by our U.S. Veterans?… I did.

    Let us always remember the men and women of our military and the rights they have won for us.

    Like

    Reply
  16. Linda Arthur Tejera | May 2, 2017 at 5:19 AM

    A wonderful post and reminder, GP. Thanks! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  17. frenchc1955 | May 1, 2017 at 10:38 PM

    Reblogged this on charles french words reading and writing and commented:
    Let us always remember to thank and appreciate those who serve and who have served.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  19. fuzzysdad01 | May 1, 2017 at 10:32 PM

    I want to salute you and your father for your service.
    You all have kept me free

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  20. Doctor Lynn | May 1, 2017 at 8:44 PM

    I loved this post, of course. My flag flies every day…and night. I have a spotlight with a timer that illuminates it when the sun goes down and it automatically turns off at sunrise. Greatest gadget ever! I always think about our military veterans and active duty men and women…and say prayers for them. They’re always on my mind.

    Happy Military Appreciation Month!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • GP Cox | May 2, 2017 at 6:11 AM

      I certainly knew YOU would appreciate each and every one of them, Lynn – of that there was no question in my mind! Without our troops, our flag would not be flying every day.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  21. Doctor Lynn | May 1, 2017 at 8:37 PM

    Is that a photo of your dad in the silver frame? Is that a coin? It looks small…a sweet little reminder….

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • GP Cox | May 2, 2017 at 6:09 AM

      Priorhouse put these photos together for me, just as the ones in the picture frames on the sidebar of each post. I’m not quite sure how they did it, but yes, all the images are Smitty.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  22. John W. Howell | May 1, 2017 at 4:10 PM

    Good post, GP. Thanks for spreading the word.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  23. Aviationtrails | May 1, 2017 at 2:36 PM

    A brilliant idea. Let’s say thanks to all those who fought for our Freedom.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  24. C.E.Robinson | May 1, 2017 at 1:22 PM

    Wonderful post, GP. A whole month to celebrate & thank our service men & women! We fly the American flag everyday. It’s Robert’s way (a Vietnam Veteran), to honor our great country. Thank you GP! 🇺🇸Christine

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  25. Jacqui Murray | May 1, 2017 at 12:59 PM

    I shared this out to FB and Twitter. As usual, you do a wonderful job of appreciating our soldiers.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • GP Cox | May 1, 2017 at 1:48 PM

      I thank you for sharing this, Jacqui. The troops out there help me sleep at night, it’s the least I can do!! I thank you for all your children do for each of us!!

      Like

      Reply
  26. jcalberta | May 1, 2017 at 12:51 PM

    I don’t believe we do this in Canada?
    Maybe we don’t appreciate our Military.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  27. richreynolds74 | May 1, 2017 at 12:50 PM

    Re-blogged on The Baltic Post GP.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  29. Mustang.Koji | May 1, 2017 at 12:11 PM

    Thinking of your pops…

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  30. imagesbytdashfield | May 1, 2017 at 10:51 AM

    Great post as always and love that one military humor bit about being timely 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  31. Jet Eliot | May 1, 2017 at 10:25 AM

    A wonderful reminder, GP, of the special military tributes for May and every day.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  32. usathroughoureyes | May 1, 2017 at 9:34 AM

    Military personnel and their spouses so deserve our respect.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  33. gunnardeckare | May 1, 2017 at 8:59 AM

    They all deserve to be celebrated !

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  34. Dan Antion | May 1, 2017 at 8:46 AM

    Thanks for the information and the reminders.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  35. Garfield Hug | May 1, 2017 at 8:24 AM

    Thank you for appreciating those in the military, especially the fallen. ☺

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  36. goldenbrodie | May 1, 2017 at 7:45 AM

    Really enjoyed your post. My dad served in the Army during WWII in France. My husband’s dad served in the Navy in the Pacific. We are followers of the history of the war.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  37. beetleypete | May 1, 2017 at 7:31 AM

    With the loss of two serving soldiers in Afghanistan a few days ago, this is a timely appreciation.
    Best wishes, Pete.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  38. Carl D'Agostino | May 1, 2017 at 7:22 AM

    posted on my fb and tw

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  39. calmkate | May 1, 2017 at 7:20 AM

    Great idea,not heard of a whole month in oz … in fact there has been rip offs by our Returned Services League and current vets claiming ‘nobody cares’ ,,, well done US!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  40. Gallivanta | May 1, 2017 at 6:20 AM

    It seems very fitting to have an entire month of appreciation.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  41. GP Cox | May 2, 2017 at 6:15 AM

    Thank you for helping me to pass these reminders on to everyone!

    Like

    Reply

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