Military Appreciation Month 2020
Honoring the Service and Sacrifice of America’s Heroes
In times of crisis, our military consistently steps up to protect the American people. It is our duty as military supporters to strengthen and support those who serve. During this unprecedented time of social distancing, quarantines and isolation throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the USO’s mission of strengthening service members by keeping them connected to family, home and country is more critical than ever before.
Military supporters around the world can show their appreciation for our troops and their families during the month of May, which is Military Appreciation Month, to thank this community for their unwavering dedication to keeping us safe.
Show your military supporter pride throughout the month on social media and online:
- Download the USO Military Appreciation Month social media images and post on social: May is Military Appreciation Month. Join the USO as a Force Behind the Forces to keep our military strong – especially as they help combat COVID-19. Visit USO.org/May for ways you can thank the troops and help the USO’s critical mission. #BeTheForce
- Download the USO Military Appreciation Month backgrounds for your Zoom calls, meetings and gatherings.
- Add the USO Military Appreciation Month frame to your Facebook profile picture – check Facebook to get the USO frame.
- Start a Facebook Fundraiser to support the troops.
May 5
#GivingTuesdayNow
Giving Tuesday, which normally takes place the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, encourages everyone to give back to their communities. This year, May 5 has been designated as #GivingTuesdayNow: a global day of giving and unity in response to the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19.
By supporting the USO on #GivingTuesdayNow, you will help ensure that our organization can continue the incredibly important work of supporting our nation’s service members and military families throughout this difficult time, when many are serving on the front lines of the pandemic.
May 1-4, help us gear up for #GivingTuesdayNow and spread the word about how the USO is providing support to America’s heroes by downloading our USO social media images to share.
On May 5, #GivingTuesdayNow, see below for three ways you can give thanks and give back to our Armed Forces.
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Share
#BeTheForce: Share your military supporter story on social media and why you are supporting the USO in honor of #GivingTuesdayNow. -
Thank
Send a message of support and encouragement to America’s service members. -
Give
The USO is a nonprofit, non-government organization and we rely on generous donors like you to fuel our support of the nation’s military.
May 8
Military Spouse Appreciation Day
Service members put themselves at risk for our country every day, but they are not the only ones dedicated to the mission. Military spouses play a huge role in not only taking care of things while their loved ones are deployed, but also in providing a backbone of support during the tough times.
The USO has supported military spouses for years, and we remain dedicated to providing “MilSpouse”-specific programs that strengthen and empower these military spouses both personally and professionally.
This Military Spouse Appreciation Day on May 8, recognize a military spouse you know by reaching out and acknowledging their crucial role in the military community. You can also share a USO social media graphic online to thank them for their hard work, dedication and sacrifice for our nation.
Military Spouse Spotlight
May 10
Mother’s Day
Military moms: whether they’re deployed, supporting their child who is currently serving, or holding down the fort while their spouse is on the front lines, military moms of all kinds deserve to be acknowledged for the sacrifices they make every day.
This Mother’s Day, download a USO virtual Mother’s Day card to send to a military mom in your life and make sure they know you are thinking of them.
May 16
Armed Forces Day
Armed Forces Day is celebrated on the third Saturday in May, and it is the day Americans celebrate all of their military forces.
Unlike Veterans Day, which honors those who have previously served, and unlike Memorial Day, which honors those who died while serving, Armed Forces Day is the proper day to honor all men and women in uniform - both those currently serving and those who have previously served to defend our freedom.
Celebrate Armed Forces Day this year by thanking and supporting our troops: Share our USO social media images or the video below, and rally your friends, family and community to #BeTheForce Behind the Forces®.
May 25
Memorial Day
Memorial Day, which is celebrated on the last Monday in May, honors service members who have died in military service to the nation. Many American families choose to pay tribute to fallen service members on the day by visiting veterans cemeteries or memorials.
While visiting veterans memorials may prove challenging this Memorial Day due to the COVID-19 pandemic, you can “visit” the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., through the interactive video below, which was captured by the USO last year (simply click and drag your cursor across the video to explore the memorial).
No matter where you are, even under quarantine, every American can take a moment on May 25 to remember the service and sacrifice of these service members, and to spread a message of thanks on social media.
- Download our Memorial Day Social Media Images Pack
- #HonorFromHome and post photos or messages of thanks on social media for the sacrifices of service members and their families.
As the COVID-19 outbreak is quickly evolving, the USO has pivoted resources across the entire global enterprise in an approach that helps care for military members and their families.
