Get ready because tomorrow marks the beginning of National Military Appreciation Month! For the entire month of May, people are encouraged to show their support and appreciation for our troops and service members! This month is of great importance because it honors, remembers, recognizes, and appreciates all military personnel from past and present, as well as those who have given their lives to defend our freedoms that we enjoy today.
"It recognizes those on active duty in all branches of the services, the National Guard and Reserves plus retirees, veterans, and all of their families - well over 90 million Americans and more than 230 years of our nation's history. Let us celebrate them just as we celebrate the other important entities that make up this wonderful country of ours." - NMAM
National Military Appreciation Month (NMAM) was designated by Congress to provide a period of time for individuals to give recognition to the history and diversity of our armed forces and the great achievements of the individuals who serve. It allows each generation of Americans to see the historical impact of the military and through the participation of the community and encouraging patriotism and love for our nation.
NMAM sets aside a few days of the month to recognize specific groups of individuals who are part of or affected by the Military. To kick off the month of May, Loyalty Day has been appointed on the 1st. Military Spouse Appreciation Day will be on the 6th, VE day will be the 8th, Armed Forces Day is the 21st, and of course Memorial Day is the 30th.
Coming Home is a show on the Lifetime channel about surprise reunions between men and women serving in our military and their loved ones. With the help of host, Matt Rogers, those in uniform returning from deployment are able to create some of the most creative and unique surprises for their family. One surprise, from a father to his three children, took the help on an entire city to create a scavenger hunt in the city center where the kids had to find clues leading them to their dad. Another example (one of my favorites) was by Staff Seargent Jeremiah Rutledge, a 101st Airborne Divisionsoldier coming home from Afghanistan. He surprised his son, J.J. a high school football star, admist a signing day ceremony where players were announcing their college choices. Just as J.J. spoke of his decision to attend the United States Naval Academy, his father came in and melted everyone's heart.
"The shock in his face, it told me everything," Staff Sergeant Rutledge says, "He still need you, you matter to him."
Caution: This show is known to make people smile and shed a few tears.
View discretion is advised.
Coming Home is a really great show that supports our military and those who work so hard to defend our country. It honors those people who do jobs many would never dream of doing - both overseas and at home. Those in uniform are not only courageous and very much appreciated, but the loved ones left waiting at home are dealt a tough job as well. It is a true telling tale of pride, duty, and love. This show is so genuine and sensational, just a must see! You can watch past episodes at mylifetime.com and catch new ones every Sunday night at 10 after Army Wives!
Note: Figures on the number of living veterans reflect final 1990 Census data and include only veterans living in the United States. Details may not add to total due to rounding.
Imagine being thousands of miles away from your home, your family, and all those you love. Now, imagine being put into one of the most dangerous places in the world, constantly being held to the highest standards, and carrying the burden of protecting the United States of America. That is ALOT of pressure and as you all can see, it would become tiresome and start to wear a service member down.
Our men and women in uniform are true heroes. They deserve praise, appreciation, and most of all, they deserve to have some fun! Civilians can all too easily forget that our service members are regular human beings like you and me. For everything they do to protect us, for every unpleasant situation they encounter, I pray for them and hope that they can at least have a little bit of fun with their friends!
Popular Songs:
Fun and Games:
"windsurfing" during a sand storm!
"They are human just like us. They're just regular Americans called up to do irregular duties. Heroes, good men and women, and honorable people, for the most part.Haha, that looks so freaking fun." - Sultantavi
Animals:
U.S. Marines in Afghanistan found two kittens, KiKi and Keykey. Bringing them joy and happiness for their time overseas, the servicemen brought them back to the states and found them homes in Texas and Michigan.
As we all know, the "Star Spangled Banner" is the natinal anthem of the United States of America. However, many of us don't know its history or why it is even has such a great signifigance to all citizens.
Lyrics of the anthem were originally created for a poem, "Defence of Fort McHenry," written by Francis Scott Key in 1814. He was inspired by the bombardment of Fort McHenry by the British Royal Navy ships in the Chesapeake Bay during the war of 1812. It is read to the tune of a popular British drinking song called "The Anacreontic Song." "The Star-Spangled Banner" was recognized for official use by the president in 1916 and made the natioanl anthem by a congressional resolution on March 3, 1931.
The song contains four stanzas, however, only the first is commonly sung today. The fourth stanza is only added on more formal occasions. "In God We Trust" was adopted into the song as the national motto in 1956. Today, the national anthem is consistently played at sporting and military events. This is thanks to president Woodrow Wilson in 1916 and the efforts to support our troops during WWII. While the national anthem is being sung, it is common courtesy to stand, remove all hats, and place the right hand over your heart.
"Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner! Oh long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion,
A home and a country should leave us no more!
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!"
"This flag, which we honor and under which we serve, is the emblem of our unity, our power, our through and purpose as a nation. It had no other character than that which we give it from generation to generation. The choices are ours. It floats in a majestic silence above the hosts that execute those choices, whether in peace or in war. And yet, through silent, it speaks to us - speaks to us of the past, or the men and women who went before us, and of the records they wrote upon it." - president Woodrow Wilson, 1917
Betsy Ross was reportedly the person who sewed the first American flag in 1776. On June 14, 1777, the Continential Congress passed the first Flag Act that allowed the establishment of the official flag for the nation. The stars were in a circle so that no one colony would be viewed above another. It is reported that George Washington said, "Let the 13 stars in a circle stand as a new constellation in the heavens."
Congress passed several acts between 1777 and 1960 that changed the shape, design, and arrangement of the flag, allowing for additional stars and stripes to reflect the admission of each new state. Sometimes the flag is referred to as "Old Glory." The United States Army Institute of Heraldry has prepared designs for flag with up to 56 stars in the case that additional states are added to the nation. There are political movements that support the statehood of Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia.
Example of a flag already created just in case:
Today, the American flag contains thirteen horizontal stripes, seven red alternating with 6 white. The stripes represent the original colonies while the five-pointed stars in the upper left hand corner represent the 50 states. The colors on the flag are also symbolic: red = hardiness and valor, white = purity and innocence, and blue = vigilance, perseverance, justice. Legend has it that George Washington interpreted the elements on the flag as: the stars were taken from the sky, the red from the British, and the white as a representation of the secession from the home country.
flag should be lighted at all time, either by sunlight or a light source
flag should be flown in fair weather unless designed for inclement weather
flag is attached to military uniforms in a way that makes it look backwards with the stars leading, to make it look like the flag is flying and leading them into battle
flag is displayed at half-staff during times of mourning on dates of deaths or specific events like September 11
flag should never be used to advertising purposes - shouldn't be embroidered, printed or impressed on cushions, handkerchiefs, napkins, boxes, or anything intended to be discarded
flag should should never be used to receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything
when lowered, flag should never touch the ground - it should be received by waiting hands and arms and be folded neatly and ceremoniously
when flag is not longer fit, it should be destroyed by burning in a dignified manner
The United States Coast Guard Academy:USCGA is commonly referred to as CGA
Institutional Mission:"The United States Coast Guard Academy is committed to strengthening the nation's future by educating, developing, training, and inspiring leaders of character who are ethically, intellectually, professionally, and physically prepared to serve their country and humanity, and who are strong in their resolve to build on the long military and maritime heritage and proud accomplishments of the United States Coast Guard."
smallest of the service academies with almost 1,000 cadets
located in New London, CT
4 year co-educational federal service academy
85% cadets choose to serve beyond their 5 year commitment
The roots of the Coast Guard Academy are based on the school of the Revenue Cutter Service that was established in 1876. Captain John Henriques was the first superintendent as the school was essentially a two-year apprenticeship with minimal classroom education. The Coast Guard Academy was officially established in 1915 with the merger of the Revenue Cutter Service and the Life Saving Service. In 1961 the academy was racially integrated on behalf of president John F. Kennedy. The current superintendent, Rear Admiral J. Scott Burhoe, is the 39th superintendent of the academy. Remember to keep in mind that the Coast Guard is no longer its own separate branch of the armed forces but now part of the Department of Home Land Security.
Unlike the other service academies, the Coast Guard Academy is based solely on merit and does not require a congressional nomination for applicants. Cadets have the option of only eight different majors to choose from and will graduate with a bachelor of science degree. Upon graduation, cadets will be commissioned as ensigns and are obligated to a five year active duty service. Like the other academies, cadets must endure summer military training programs, their first being "Swab Summer." Although this might be rigorous training for the cadets, it is also a time they look forward to as they get to experience life at sea aboard the famous tall ship, the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Eagle.
Life at the Coast Guard Academy is grounded in the academy's philosophy that stems from three fundamental objectives:
to provide a well rounded undergraduate education, including specialization in a field of interest to the cadet and the Coast Guard.
To provide, by rule and example, an environment that encourages a high sense of honor, respect and devotion to duty.
To provide training that prepares each graduate to immediately assume the duties of a junior officer aboard ship.
These objectives are central to all cadets and is reflected in the shared beliefs of the graduates: belief in your country, belief in your fellow cadets and Coast Guard personnel, and belief if yourself.
Cadet Mission: "To graduate young men and women with sound bodies, stout hearts and alert minds, with a liking for the sea and its lore, with that high sense of honor, loyalty and obedience which goes with trained initiative and leadership; well grounded in seamanship, the sciences and amenities, and strong in the resolve to be worthy of the traditions of commissioned officers in the United States Coast Guard in the service of their county and humanity."
Fun Fact:The academy strives to give cadets as many social events and organized activities as possible in hopes of helping cadets bond with one another and their service. Check out this long list of informal organizations and clubs on campus!
Mission: "To educate, train, and inspire man and women to become officers of character motivated to lead the United States Air Force in service to our nation. The United States Air Force Academy is the nation's premier institution for developing leaders of character."
located in Colorado Spring, CO
youngest of the 5 service academies with 1st graduating class in 1959
4 year co-educational program
1 of the biggest tourist destinations in CO
On April 1, 1954, president Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a bill allowing the establishment of the academy. Since its grand opening over 41,000 cadets have graduated in 51 different classes. Only about 400 of them have decided to serve in other branches of the armed forces other than the Air Force. The current superintendent is Lieutenant General Michael C. Gould, a 1976 graduate. The Air Force Academy is also Alma Mater to many world renown and famous individuals like: Major Shawna Rochelle Kimbrell, the first African-American combat pilot, and Joe Lombardi, the offensive coach for the New Orleans Saints football team.
Applicants to the Air Force Academy must follow strict admissions criteria: they must be between the age of 17 and 22, be unmarried with no child dependents, and like the other service academies, be physically fit and have good grades. Academics are primarily focused on science and engineering with the idea that many graduates will manage complex air, space and cyber systems. Recently, the academy has broadened its humanities curriculum and established a wider range of majors for cadets to choose from. Graduates receive a bachelor of science degree and are commissioned as 2nd Lieutenants in the United States Air Force. A major part of the academy is athletics and physical conditioning. The most intense military training the cadets must endure is over their summers. Their first experience occurs over a period of six weeks and is called Basic Cadet Training, also known as "beast." After their first year, cadets have more options for summer military training like attending Airborne School or Air Assault School.
The academy is guided by the Air Force's core values of "Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence in All We Do." It is also based on the four "pillars of excellence": military training, academics, athletics, and character development. All cadets must live and "abide by the Honor Code, that states "We will not lie, steal, or cheat, not tolerate among us anyone who does." The Air Force Academy Vision is to be the Air Force's premier institution for developing leaders of character.
Fun Fact: The first Honor scandal was in 1965 where a cadet reported about 100 cadets to be involved in a cheating ring. Ultimately, 109 cadets were expelled from the academy.
