Dates marked in BLACK are traditional (and some more recently acknowledged) observances for the Armed Forces of the United States of America. Other traditional (non-military) dates have been included as well.
Dates marked in BLUE are listed to help military supporters understand that holidays (as well as birthdays, graduations, births, weddings, funerals) are significant days in which the absence of a loved one (due to deployment, geographical separation, or loss) is felt on a more significant level.
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January
January 1, 2024 - New Year's Day
January 15, 2024 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day
A day set aside to celebrate the life and achievements of Martin Luther King Jr., an influential American civil rights leader. Learn more...
February
February 3, 2024 - Four Chaplains Day
A day set aside to honor the four U.S. Army chaplains who gave their lives to save others when the troop ship USAT Dorchester sank during World War II. Learn more...
February 14, 2024 - Valentine's Day
February 19, 2024 - Coast Guard Reserve Birthday
February 19, 2024 - President's Day
A day originally set aside to honor George Washington. Now, other presidents are also
honored on this day. Learn more...
March
Month of the Military Caregiver
During the Month of the Military Caregiver, Americans recognize and honor military caregivers’ sacrifices and successes. Learn more...
March 3, 2024 - Navy Reserve Birthday
March 5, 2024 - Seabee Birthday
March 10, 2024 - Daylight Saving Time begins
March 13, 2024 - K 9 Veterans Day
A national effort to make March 13 K9 Veterans Day. March 13, 1942 is the official birthday of the United States K9 Corps, and so it seems only right to annually honor their service on that date. They served to save, and they deserve to be remembered. Learn more...
March 17, 2024 - St. Patrick's Day
March 29, 2024 - Vietnam Veterans Day
A day set aside to show honor and respect to our Vietnam Veterans. Learn more...
March 31, 2024 - Easter Sunday
April
Month of the Military Child
An opportunity to recognize military children and youth for their heroism, character, courage, sacrifices and continued resilience.
April 5, 2024 - Gold Star Spouses Day
A day set aside to recognize the sacrifices of Gold Star spouses.
April 14, 2024 - Air Force Reserve Birthday
April 17, 2024 - Purple Up! Day
During the Month of the Military Child, Purple Up! Day recognizes some of the military’s most unsung heroes – their children. The day encourages everyone to wear purple representing all branches of the military and showing unity with each other. Learn more...
April 23, 2024 - Army Reserve Birthday
April 25, 2024 - ANZAC Day (Australia and New Zealand)
A day of remembrance to honor those who served and died in military service for
their countries. Learn more...
April 30, 2024 - National Military Brats Day
A day set aside to honor the children of military personnel. Learn more...
May
National Military Appreciation Month
A month to recognize and show appreciation to the Armed Forces of the United States of America.
May 1, 2024- Loyalty Day
A day set aside for American citizens to reaffirm their loyalty to the United States
and to recognize the heritage of American freedom. Learn more...
May 1, 2024 - Silver Star Service Banner Day
A day set aside to honor our wounded, ill, and dying military personnel by
participating in flying a Silver Star Banner. Learn more...
May 2, 2024 - National Day of Prayer
The National Day of Prayer is an annual observance held on the first Thursday of
May, inviting people of all faiths to pray for the nation. Learn more...
How can you pray for the military community? Learn more...
May 8, 2024 - VE (Victory in Europe) Day
(Celebrated May 7 in commonwealth countries)
A day which marks the anniversary of the Allies' victory in Europe during World War II
on May 8, 1945. Learn more...
May 10, 2024 - Military Spouse Appreciation Day
A day set aside to acknowledge the contributions and sacrifices of the spouses of
the U.S. Armed Forces. Learn more...
May 12, 2024 - Mother's Day
May 13, 2024 - Children of Fallen Patriots Day
A day to honor the families our Fallen Heroes have left behind – especially their children. It’s a reminder to the community that we have an obligation to support the families of our Fallen Patriots. Learn more...
May 18, 2024 - Armed Forces Day
A day set aside to pay tribute to men and women who serve in the United States’
Armed Forces. Learn more...
May 27, 2024 - Memorial Day (Decoration Day)
A day set aside to commemorate all who have died in military service for the United
States. Typically recognized by parades, visiting memorials and cemeteries. Learn more...
June
June - Graduation
June 6, 2024 - Anniversary of the World War II Allied invasion in Normandy, France, know as D-Day (1944)
June 12, 2024 - Women Veterans Day
June 14, 2024 - Flag Day
A day to commemorate the adoption of the United States flag. Learn more...
June 14, 2024 - Army Birthday
June 16, 2024 - Father's Day
June 23, 2024 - Coast Guard Auxiliary Birthday
June 25, 2024 - Anniversary of the start of the Korean War (1950)
June 27, 2024 - National PTSD Awareness Day
A day set aside to raise public awareness about issues related to PTSD.
LINK - PTSD resources
July
July 4, 2024 - Independence Day
July 27, 2024 - Korean War Veterans Armistice Day (1953)
July 29, 2024 - Anniversary of the Army Chaplain Corps
August
August 4, 2024 - Coast Guard Birthday
August 7, 2024 - Purple Heart Day
National Purple Heart Day honors the men and women who have been wounded or killed in military service.
August 16, 2024 - National Airborne Day
National Airborne Day honors the nation's airborne forces of the Armed Forces
August 29, 2024 - Marine Forces Reserve Birthday
September
September - Back to School
September - National Service Dog Month
September is National Service Dog month. Learn more...
September 2, 2024 - VJ (Victory over Japan) Day
September 2, 2024 - Labor Day
September 11, 2024 - Patriot Day
Patriot Day is an annual observance on September 11 to remember those who were
injured or died during the terrorist attacks in the United States on September 11, 2001.
September 18, 2024 - Air Force Birthday
September 20, 2024 - POW/MIA Recognition Day
A time set aside to remember those who were prisoners of war (POW) and those
who are missing in action (MIA), as well as their families. Learn more...
September 29, 2024 - Gold Star Mother's and Family's Day
A day set aside to honor the mothers and families of our nation's fallen service members. Learn more...
October
October 13, 2023 - Navy Birthday
October 13, 2024 - Ms. Veteran America Pageant
October 14, 2024 - Columbus Day
A day set aside to commemorate Christopher Columbus' arrival to the Americas on October 12, 1492. Learn more...
October 26, 2024 - National Day of the Deployed
A day set aside to honor all of the brave men and woman who have been deployed and are sacrificing, or have sacrificed, their lives to fight for our country and acknowledges their families that they are separated from. Learn more...
October 31, 2024 - Halloween
November
USPS deadlines for military Christmas holiday mail
Military Family Month
A month to honor and celebrate the contributions and sacrifices of the families of
the U.S. Armed Forces. Learn more...
November 3, 2024 - Daylight Saving Time ends
November 9, 2024 - Gold Star Father's Day (Georgia)
A day set aside to honor the fathers of our nation's fallen service members. Learn more...
November 10, 2024 - Marine Corps Birthday
November 11, 2024 - Armistice Day (France)
A day set aside to remember those who died or were injured in World War I and other wars. Learn more...
November 11, 2024 - Remembrance Day (Britain)
A day set aside to remember all those men and women who were killed during the two World Wars and other conflicts. Learn more...
November 11, 2024 - Remembrance Day (Canada)
A day set aside to commemorates the sacrifices of people in all armed conflicts.
November 11, 2024 - Veterans Day
The anniversary date of the signing of the armistice which ended the World War I.
Also a day set aside to thank military veterans for their service. Learn more...
November 28, 2024 - Thanksgiving Day
December
December 1, 2024 - Civil Air Patrol (USAF Auxiliary) Birthday
December 7, 2024 - Pearl Harbor Day
Called "A day which will live in infamy" by Franklin D. Roosevelt - On December 7,
1941, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Learn more...
December 13, 2024 - National Guard Birthday
December 14, 2024- National Wreaths Across America
An annual laying of wreaths at veterans cemeteries across the nation.
LINK - Wreaths Across America
December 20, 2024 - Space Force Birthday
December 24, 2024 - Christmas Eve
December 25, 2024 - Christmas Day
December 28, 2024 - Anniversary of the Army Chaplain Assistant/Religious Affairs Specialist
December 31, 2024 - New Year's Eve
Other
Alive Day
Commemorates the day a veteran suffered near-fatal battlefield injuries yet managed to survive.
Birthday
Red Shirt Friday (RED - Remembering Everyone Deployed)
Wear a red shirt on Friday to show support of our service men and women.
Wedding anniversary
Copyright 2008 - 2024 Benita Koeman, Operation We Are Here. All rights reserved.
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