Cover Story: May Marks Military Appreciation Month: Remember Those Who Served

This month marks National Military Appreciation Month, a month of ceremony and remembrance culminating with the U.S. Memorial Day Weekend. It comes at a time of marking anniversaries of major wars in our country’s history, while we continue to wage another. This month, Veterans Advantage honors and pays tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country.

With this as a backdrop, we take time to reflect on the 30th anniversary of the end of Vietnam War, and the 60th anniversary of V-E Day marking the end of World War II there.

While commemorating V-E Day last month, President Bush seemed to capture the spirit of sacrifice of those who served throughout American history:

"On this day, we celebrate the victory they won, and we recommit ourselves to the great truth that they defended, that freedom is the birthright of all mankind. Because of their sacrifice and the help of brave allies, that truth prevailed at the close of the 20th century," President Bush said at the Netherlands American Memorial Cemetery.

Marking the 30th Anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War, Vietnam Veterans of America president Thomas H. Corey released a reminder of the nation’s obligation to take care of its own.

"We are noting the anniversary of a difficult and turbulent time for this country and using this occasion to help make America aware that supporting our troops and taking care of them as veterans are two separate issues," Corey said.

"However, it is equally important that the American people honor their solemn obligation to safeguard the health and well-being of those veterans, who have sacrificed so much to protect us," Corey said. The VVA also held a special ceremony in Washington DC, where it repeated these themes.

 Nationwide Moment of Remembrance: May 30

The White House Commission on the National Moment of Remembrance also asks all Americans to observe the National Moment of Remembrance on Memorial Day, Monday, May 30, 2005 at 3:00 p.m. local time. This one-minute observance is intended to serve as a simple, yet powerful reminder of the real reason we observe Memorial Day - to honor those who died in service to our Nation.

Millions across the country will pay tribute in the Memorial Day Moment of Remembrance, as Major League Baseball games will stop, Amtrak train whistles will blow, and others will participate from Veterans Service Organizations, NASCAR, local communities, National Parks, and even the International Space Station.

Other noteworthy events include:

• New York City: New York City’s 18th Annual Fleet Week begins May 25th and runs throughout Memorial Day week until June 1st, 2005. The Intrepid Sea Air Space Museum, a strategic partner of Veterans Advantage, is co-hosting many of the week’s activities.

In partnership with New York City, the United States Navy and the Intrepid Sea Air Space Museum, over a dozen Navy and Coast Guard ships will visit New York Harbor during Fleet Week. In addition, there will be military ceremonies, athletic competitions and many other exciting activities over the course of the seven-day celebration.

One highlight of the week’s activities is the Memorial Day ceremony held on the flight deck of the Intrepid Sea Air Space Museum. Veterans and active military personnel from all five branches of the armed services join in the museum’s tribute to the men and women who have made the supreme sacrifice for their country. The ceremony includes the playing of Taps, a ceremonial wreath laying, 21-gun salute, the unfurling of a 100 foot American flag and a fly-over of military aircraft in the missing man formation. For updates, visit www.intrepidmuseum.org.

• Washington, DC: The National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, D.C. will step off at 9 a.m. on May 30. Passing in front of the United States Capitol, it will proceed down Independence Avenue in a salute to America’s veterans and in honor of those who died in defense of our country from the American Revolution to Operation Iraqi Freedom. Organizers are calling it the first Memorial Day Parade in DC since World War II.

The National Memorial Day Parade will feature marching bands from more than 7 states and 100 other units with veterans of World War I, World War II, the Korean and Vietnam Wars, and the liberation of Iraq & Afghanistan.

Veterans Advantage will continue to highlight additional events here throughout the month of May.