As the official National Military Appreciation Month, May is a time to recognize our entire armed forces community for their collective sacrifice in service to our country. This month not only highlights the dedication of our active duty men and women but also honors veterans and all military families in various ways – through important anniversaries and a plethora of military discounts offered by popular businesses and brands. To kick off May, we thought it would be fun to cover the history behind Military Appreciation Month and spotlight the popular benefits offered to military members and their families.
The History Behind National Military Appreciation Month
Established by Congress in 1999, this month-long dedication allows the public a chance to recognize and share their appreciation for the individuals and communities that comprise our military. And by designating it for the month of May, this special appreciation month supports other important military observances such as Loyalty Day (May 1st) and Memorial Day.
Since its creation, several additional days of remembrance have been introduced as part of Military Appreciation Month. In 2017, Military Spouse Day was established to celebrate the important role that spouses play in the stability of our military community. Other observances such as Armed Forces Day, Silver Star Banner Day, and VE Day also take place in the month of May.
Benefits for Service Members During Military Appreciation Month
One of the more well-known components of Military Appreciation Month is the many discounts that businesses provide military members and their families throughout May. Obviously, these benefits vary from business to business, but the practice of offering military discounts has grown dramatically over the years. A few well-known discounts include:
- Academy Sports – 10% off from May 1- July 4th
- Lowes – 10% off every day
- Sherwin-Williams – 15% off
- McCormick & Schmick’s – 10% off
- Busch Gardens – One complimentary admission for service member and three guests
- Sleep Number – 20% off
- Walgreens – 20% off eligible regular-price items
Military Appreciation Month continues to grow each year and businesses are showing support by offering more discounts and deals. Be sure to check the link above and with your favorite brands to discover more military discounts being offered this month.
