The story of American paratroopers is deeply woven into the fabric of the nation's military history and identity. The sight alone of these airborne armed forces inspires awe, and the honorable service of these men and women over 70 years of parachuting has created a tradition of excellence that has become synonymous with the paratrooper divisions within the Army, as well as the greater military.

That's why every Aug. 16 is celebrated as National Airborne Day. This moment of reflection gives us a way to remember and recognize the valor and effort displayed paratrooper forces. They have demonstrated courage and commitment since the first experimental jump in 1940 through the many armed conflicts the U.S. has engaged in since. After all, it takes a lot of self-determination to fling yourself out of a moving plane a thousand feet up in the air. 

Here's more information about the history of paratroopers, National Airborne day, and how the observance is celebrated.

The first jump in August 1940

As the story goes, the idea to parachute troops into combat operations was first conceived by Brigadier General William Mitchell after World War I concluded. Regarded as the father of the U.S. Air Force, he focused on the advantage of dropping elite ground forces behind enemy lines. By 1940, World War II had broken out, and though the U.S. was not yet involved, it put into motion the paratrooper initiative by authorizing the Army Parachute Test Platoon that summer. On Aug. 16, 1940, 48 soldiers from the 29th Infantry Regiment jumped from a Douglas B-18 over Lawson Army Airfield at Fort Benning in Georgia. 

Service in WWII and beyond

American paratroopers have become among the most definitive images associated with WWII. Along with Allied forces that stormed the beaches on D-Day, U.S. parachuting forces were critical to the success of the operation, and would go on to fight in the Battle of the Bulge. However, the first combat jumps took place over North Africa in November 1942, when members of the 2nd Battalion, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment, leapt from a C-47.

Paratrooper forces would then go on to serve in various conflicts and military operations including Korea, Vietnam, Grenada, Panama, Somalia, the Balkans, Afghanistan and Iraq. They have also participated in peace-keeping missions in Lebanon, the Dominican Republic, and Kosovo.

The 'Screaming Eagles'

Today, paratroopers comprise some of the most recognizable divisions in the Army, most notably the 101st Airborne, otherwise known as the Screaming Eagles. But the 101st is far from alone in representing Army paratroopers, which also include the 11th, 13th, 17th, 80th, 82nd (known as "America's Guard of Honor") and 108th Airborne Divisions. Paratroopers also make up the Army's XVIII Airborne Corps and the 75th Infantry (Ranger) Regiment. Airborne-trained troops are also found in the Navy SEALs and other Special Forces units, as well as the Marines and Air Force.

Airborne Day created by G.W. Bush

Aug. 16 was first proclaimed National Airborne Day by President George W. Bush in 2002, though it would take until 2009 for a Senate resolution to recognize the observance.

"Airborne combat continues to be driven by the bravery and daring spirit of sky soldiers. Often called into action with little notice, these forces have earned an enduring reputation for dedication, excellence, and honor. As we face the challenges of a new era, I encourage all people to recognize the contributions of these courageous soldiers to our nation and the world," Bush wrote in the official proclamation.

Now, many events are held at military bases and other locales around the country that display that technique and skill of these "sky soldiers." The Army's Golden Knights are well-known, while the Special Operations Command Parachute Team, the Black Daggers, also dazzle on-lookers from the ground.

As we celebrate National Airborne Day this Aug. 16, take time to reflect on the service and sacrifice of these brave parachuting forces.

 

The Purple Heart is among America’s most honored and recognizable distinctions. Awarded to members of the Armed Forces who have been killed or injured in battle, the Purple Heart is given in gratitude for the sacrifice and courage displayed by those who have earned it.

The medal has a long history, rooted in the Revolutionary War, and is notable for many reasons, such as the fact it can be awarded multiple times. Changes in criteria have also occurred, but the stunning and evocative visual imagery of the medal has always been a constant.

Aug. 7 is Purple Heart Day, and 2019 will mark the 237th anniversary of the medal’s birth. In observance of that fact and in respect for those who have earned the medal, let’s explore the history of the Purple Heart and the courageous examples set by our armed forces members.

Created by Washington, revived by MacArthur

The Purple Heart is America’s oldest military award, despite falling into disuse for more than a century. In 1782, the Continental Congress had halted promotions and commissions due to lack of funds, leading General George Washington to create the Badge of Military Merit as a alternative to recognize merit displayed by soldiers.

“The General ever desirous to cherish virtuous ambition in his soldiers, as well as to foster and encourage every species of Military merit, directs that whenever any singularly meritorious action is performed, the author of it shall be permitted to wear on his facings over the left breast, the figure of a heart in purple cloth, or silk, edged with narrow lace or binding,” Washington wrote in the order that established the medal and described its physical construction. A privilege of receiving this medal was enlisted men being able to pass sentries as if they were commissioned officers.

However, the Badge of Military Merit was only awarded to three participants of the Revolutionary War. It went unused until 1932, when then Army Chief of Staff General Douglas MacArthur announced the reviving of the medal in honor of Washington’s 200th birthday. MacArthur worked with the Washington Commission of Fine Arts and Elizabeth Will, a heraldry specialist in the Army’s Office of the Quartermaster General to style the medal along the lines of Washington’s description.

Reforms to eligibility

Until 1942, the Purple Heart had been a distinction exclusive to the Army. It was not until then that President Franklin D. Roosevelt authorized Navy service personnel, which included Marines and Coast Guard, to receive the award. That included members who “are wounded in action against an enemy of the United States, or as a result of an act of such enemy, provided such would necessitate treatment by a medical officer,” according to the Department of Veterans Affairs.

But that wouldn’t be the end to reforms that broadened eligibility for the Purple Heart. President John F. Kennedy in 1962 amended standards to include “any civilian national of the United States, who while serving under competent authority in any capacity with an armed force…, has been, or may hereafter be, wounded” and the posthumous awarding of the medal. The medal would later become specific to the Armed Forces.

1.8 million awarded

While there is no official record, the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor says current estimates are that around 1.8 million Purple Hearts have been awarded since the 1932 resumption. Most recently, in 2015, the eligibility criteria were expanded to include those who were killed or wounded as part of certain instances of domestic terrorism.

Aug. 7 is a date to remember the many ways in which American Armed Forces members consistently prove to be heroes in combat or protection of their fellow man. This year, take time to recognize the 234th anniversary of the Purple Heart and the accomplishments of hose who have earned it.

One of the five service branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, the Coast Guard plays a vital role in patrolling the country's coasts and waterways. Now more than two centuries old, the Coast Guard has a storied and rich history in the American military. And while it is the smallest of the five branches, it has an outsized role in advancing and protecting U.S. public, environmental and economic maritime interests.

In recognition of the service the Coast Guard and its members have rendered, every August 4 is celebrated as the Coast Guard's birthday. Now turning 229, one could hardly notice its age, as the Coast Guard continues to become more technologically advanced and responsive to the call of its country.

So on Sunday, Aug. 4, 2019 remember all the Coast Guard has given, and celebrate its continued achievement as the oldest continuous sea-going service in the United States.

10 ships started it all

The Coast Guard's age puts it on par with the Army, which was established even before the Declaration of Independence was signed. The Revenue-Marine were commissioned on Aug. 4, 1790 under the Tariff Act, which was signed by President George Washington. This unit, which would go on to become the Coast Guard, was initially made of 10 ships, and was brought into being with the support of the nation's first Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton.

Ten cutters, a type of sea vessel, were created and its crews were tasked with the enforcement of tariff laws, prevention of smuggling and protection of federal tax collectors. Added responsibilities were taken on in short order, including combating piracy, conducting rescue operations and ice-breaking missions, to name a few. These varied law enforcement, military and humanitarian duties serve as the basis for the three mandates of the Coast Guard:

• Safety.
• Security.
• Stewardship.

In time, the Revenue-Marine would expand and grow into the Revenue Cutter Service, and in 1915 was merged with the U.S. Life-Saving Service. The resulting entity was renamed the Coast Guard, and it continued to acquire new responsibilities, like oversight of the country's lighthouses and marine inspection and navigation. Now, the Coast Guard seizes a drug-smuggling boat every five days, saves thousands of lives every year, and assists 193,938 tons of shipping daily during Great Lakes ice season.

More facts about the Coast Guard

There's a lot to be accomplished in 229 years, and the Coast Guard has done quite a bit, including:

• Serving in 17 wars and conflicts in U.S. history. During wartime the Coast Guard can operate independent mission or serve as part of the Navy.
• Being the only of the five branches to be placed under the Department of Homeland Security.
• Patrolling more than 4.5 million square miles of Exclusive Economic Zones, as well as providing services in international waters.
• Operating its own anti-terror team, The Maritime Safety and Security Team. According to the USO, it is the only special operations force that can arrest submerged SCUBA divers.
• Having Sinbad, a dog that served aboard the USCGC George W. Campbell in World War II, as its mascot. Sinbad provided company to troops, while also being onboard for anti-submarine confict. 

How you can celebrate the Coast Guard's birthday

In lieu of trying to send a Happy Birthday card to the Coast Guard itself, take time to recognize and celebrate the service of its members:

• Participate in or organize a local event that can help educate children on the Coast Guard history or hear active duty members or veterans speak.
• Offer a special discount on Aug. 4 if you run a business for Coast Guard members and veterans.
• Visit memorials or other locations to pay respects for the fallen and recognize their sacrifice.

The Coast Guard is turning 229 on Aug. 4, 2019 — and will continue to be in the future an integral and capable branch of our armed forces.

The 35-day partial government shutdown that ushered in 2019 had a massive impact on the country and population. Hundreds of thousands of federal workers were furloughed during that time and went unpaid, but have since been compensated.

Federal contractors, on the other hand, have not seen back pay from that stretch in which they lost shifts and income. Security guards and maintenance staff for government sites who work on a contract basis, among others, have not been included in previous back pay agreements.

That changed when the House approved a bill that would provide restitution for federal contractors who were affected by the shutdown. However, while the measure passed the House, it still faces an uncertain future in the Senate and a skeptical White House.

Back pay part of larger agreement

In late June 2019, the House cleared a minibus spending package that appropriated funds for departments like Justice, Commerce, and Veterans Affairs, as well as other agencies and projects. Included in that proposal was a provision that would institute a mechanism for contractor back pay.

The Fair Compensation for Low-Wage Contractor Employees Act of 2019 was introduced by Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), but did not progress as legislation. Instead, it was incorporated into the minibus spending package, and would instruct departments affected by the 35-day shutdown to adjust the price of contracts or restore pay for contractors who were laid off or furloughed. 

"I'm thrilled the House has passed legislation that would finally provide federal contract workers the back pay," said Pressley, according to The Hill. "Our government relies on these hardworking men and women to keep our government buildings running, and we have a moral obligation to make them whole for the pay they lost during the government shut down."

Uncertainty and outright opposition from Senate and White House

While the House's approval was a major step forward for federal contractor back pay, it will take much more to make the compensation a reality. The minibus spending agreement passed largely along party lines by a vote of 227-194, with conservatives largely against the provision. The reasons for opposing it included worries that it increases federal spending, rewards already profitable contracting companies, and would be difficult to implement and ensure payout went to contractors.

With Republicans controlling the Senate, the minibus bill containing the back pay provision faces daunting prospects for approval. And if it somehow does make it through the upper chamber, it still faces the threat of veto from the White House.

"While contractors play an important role in helping government agencies meet their missions, this legislation ignores important principles of federal contracting, and would lead to increased cost and a significant increase in the risk of fraud, waste, and improper payment," The Office of Management and Budget wrote in a policy document. "The administration anticipates significant, disruptive, and costly challenges in trying to force-fit the requirements of contractor back-pay legislation into an acquisition system that is not designed or equipped to manage contractor employees, making it difficult, if not impossible, to meet the dual goals of paying quickly and paying accurately."

Conventional logic may hold that a wet winter should be enough to ward off the threat of wildfires, especially in California. However, while winter precipitation has done wonders to reverse the state's drought conditions, it's not having the desired effect as a natural guard against wildfires.

If anything, the wet winters that California is experiencing recently have exacerbated the risk of wildfire, with lush vegetation regrowing rapidly, only to be burnt again. Additionally, a new body of evidence is increasingly pointing toward an abrupt turnaround in the relationship between preceding winters and wildfire seasons — as in, no matter how snowy and rainy the winter is, it's not reducing the threat of wildfires.

As these trends continue to develop, first responders in and around the state are starting to prepare for wildfires year-round. 

'The new normal'

The wildfire watch is kept throughout the year in California, meaning first responders have to be ready 24/7/365. After a 2018 that saw the state's deadliest fire and numerous other destructive and high-profile blazes, California government and first responders are adjusting.

"This is the new normal," then Gov. Jerry Brown had said in December 2017. "We're about ready to have firefighting at Christmas. This is very odd and unusual."

April showers may bring May fires

The 2018-2019 winter season has been a long one for California, stretching into May, according to the Los Angeles Times. The extended winter has brought much-needed precipitation to the state. It's also done an excellent job at nourishing the grounds that were charred just months ago, allowing flora to regrow at a rapid pace. However, the return to green is anything but welcome by wildfire experts, who warn the thriving brush is just kindling waiting to burst as soon as the intense, dry air comes in. 

"The good news is we need the water, but the bad news is it's building the fuel load for what has always been our fire season," Bill Patzert, a local weather expert and former climatologist with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, told the LA Times. 

Some plants regrow faster after a fire, which makes it worse when they dry out under oppressive summer heat and arid conditions. The dead grass and brush creates the ideal fuel bed, allowing wildfires to spread and grow quickly. The Washington Post has also reported on the increased risks brought on by wet winters, and the more expansive forest management the state must undertake.

Increased moisture does not decrease wildfire risk

For centuries, wet California winters were scientifically linked to reduced wildfire risk. Researchers recently looked at this connection and found between 1600 and 1903, rainy winters brought on by the North Pacific jet stream were followed by low wildfire activity; conversely, dry winters begot higher wildfire activity. But after 1904, the association started to weaken, according to the paper published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Now, the link may be erased entirely.

"The moisture availability over California is still strongly linked to the position of the jet stream, but fire no longer is," said co-author Valerie Trouet, an associate professor of dendrochronology at the University of Arizona Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research. "I didn't expect there to be no relationship between jet stream dynamics and fire in the 20th century. I expected it to be maybe weaker than before, but not to completely disappear."

As historical trends reverse and the risk of wildfire continue to rise, first responders will need to prepare to meet the demands of that "new normal."

Seven college students studying at Colorado State University-Pueblo have found a way to integrate NASA technology into a brand new product that takes the concept of a "security blanket" to a whole new level.

Though the prototype looks like nothing more than a simple green blanket with a silver circle design in the center, the invention may one day become an essential public safety tool, and has already succeeded in earning the CSU-Pueblo engineering undergrads a trip to the Johnson Space Center in Houston and a prestigious award.

The design integrates the NASA concept of a "portable wireless signal booster" into a lightweight, practical, waterproof nylon blanket that could easily be stuffed in a backpack or attached to camping gear. The students sewed a stamped copper Fresnel lens between two sheets of water-resistant fabric, creating a multipurpose product that can be used as a passive antenna able to boost incoming electromagnetic signals, or radio waves, up to 10 decibels in areas of low coverage.

"This will boost the signal on your cell phone," Kenneth "Kordell" Roberts, a three-year industrial engineering student at Colorado State University-Pueblo, explained to The Pueblo Chieftain. "If you are backpacking or hiking out in the wilderness, normally there would be no signal. But this will help."

Roberts and fellow students Alex Goodwin, Daniel Hoyle-Aguon, Connor Foust, Julian Fierro, Shermann Mcdermott and Wyatt Farris created the signal-boosting blanket as a way to assist first responders fighting wildfires and search and rescue teams attempting to locate lost hikers.

"We targeted more of search and rescue, wildfire firefighters and those types of markets where you would have a great need for something that was very lightweight and that was able to help increase your signal," Roberts explained. "They are not going to want to carry an active signal boosting system, because those weigh 20, 30, 40 pounds. We thought it would be good to create a product that would be very lightweight that can also provide these benefits."

Potentially life-saving invention earns students NASA internships, awards

In recognition of their genius innovation, the CSU-Pueblo students received an invitation to the NASA MITTIC Technology Transfer competition at the Johnson Space Center in Houston this past March.

The contest's entrants were tasked with designing a commercially viable product by implementing one of about 20 different NASA intellectual properties, which included the signal booster. The students then had a month to develop a 12-page concept paper which included planning and the development of a prototype. After submitting their paper to NASA, the students were named to the list of top 10 finalists and invited to spend four days touring the NASA facilities in Houston, listening to guest speakers and networking with other students and professionals in their field.

"We also continued to work on our prototype and the 10-minute presentation we did there. It was almost like a 'Shark Tank' pitch of the product we made," said Connor Foust, a second-year mechatronics engineering student at CSU-Pueblo.

Of the seven students that worked on the project, only four were able to make the trip to Houston, per NASA contest rules. Of those four, three were awarded prestigious NASA internships, according to La Voz Bilingüe, Colorado's longest-running bilingual newspaper.

"Two of them will be going to Ames Research Center in California's Silicon Valley," Dr. Jude DePalma, the students' engineering professor, told the newspaper. "It's life-changing for those students."

Additionally, student group leader Kenneth Roberts was recognized by NASA with the competition's Outstanding Leader Award.

The invention has clearly already made a difference in the lives of these students, but could one day help save the lives of countless others, as firefighters and other first responders use the technology to rescue those in danger. 

On Tuesday, June 6, 1944, the Allied forces of World War II landed on the beaches of Normandy, with over 160,000 men participating in history's largest seaborne invasion. By the end of D-Day, none of the assault forces had secured their first-day objectives, and an estimated 10,000 Allied soldiers were killed, wounded or missing in action, including 6,603 American casualties.

Yet over the course of the following days, the Allies gradually expanded their foothold, and began the liberation of German-occupied France, and eventually Europe, from Nazi control.

Though historians still debate what the "D" stood for, there is no disputing the legacy of D-Day, which will forever be remembered as one of the U.S. military's finest hours. And this year, as that fateful day turns 75 years old, several special ceremonies and events have been planned to commemorate the heroism displayed on the beaches of Normandy all those years ago.

D-Day observances planned for the 75th anniversary

The small community of Bedford, Virginia, lost 20 of the 32 sons it sent to the invasion of Normandy, earning the town the tragic yet honorable distinction of sustaining the highest per capita D-Day losses of any American city. In 2001, Bedford became the site of the National D-Day Memorial, which this year will observe the 75th Anniversary by hosting six days of ceremonies, displays, interviews and more, beginning June 4 and concluding on June 9.

Included in the schedule of events is an aerial tribute to veterans on the morning of June 6, followed by a commemorative observance titled "The Final Salute," which organizers expect will represent the last large gathering of D-Day veterans around the globe. The itinerary for that Thursday also includes World War II reenactments, a USO show and a free screening of "Saving Private Ryan," which memorably and thrillingly depicts the U.S. forces landing at Omaha Beach.

Other commemorative events will be held on the day of the 75th anniversary in Alexandria, Virginia; Louisville, Kentucky and Wheaton, Illinois, according to this list of D-Day observances being held throughout the world.

Each year, thousands of people visit Normandy to reflect on the acts of sacrifice that took place there more than seven decades ago. And for the 75th anniversary, one very special visitor will be making a return trip of sorts.

In 2015, a derelict airplane was discovered in a boneyard in Wisconsin, and aviation historians determined it was actually the plane that led the D-Day invasion. Donors were able to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for the plane's restoration, and by 2018, it was once again in flying condition.

And on June 5, the historic Dakota C-47 will meet up with a dozen other European Dakotas to form a "D-Day Squadron" that will recreate the start of Normandy invasion by crossing the English Channel, according to the New York Times.

"That's why we're doing this mission," said Andy Maag, who is piloting the 75-year-old C-47. "We're bringing history to life."

A push to extend more health benefits to "Blue Water" Navy veterans of the Vietnam War appears to be gaining momentum.

Members of the House recently voted to make permanent a court ruling that grants benefits to roughly 90,000 sailors who claim to have been exposed to Agent Orange in Vietnam, advancing the legislation to the Senate and encouraging advocates who have long fought for these protections.

Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act would alter VA policy

The infamous Agent Orange is an herbicide that was widely used as part of the U.S. military's "Operation Ranch Hand," which lasted from 1962 until 1971. The operation's objective was to spray chemicals that would deprive the Viet Cong of food and vegetation cover, but the toxicity of the herbicide had the unintended consequence of causing significant health problems for the many individuals who were exposed to it.

It is the Department of Veterans Affairs' current position that the vets who served on open sea ships off the shores of Vietnam, often referred to as "Blue Water Veterans," were not exposed to Agent Orange since they never set foot on the Indochina Peninsula. As a result, the VA requires that these Blue Water veterans "show on a factual basis" that they were actually exposed to herbicides during their military service in order to receive disability compensation for diseases related to Agent Orange.

However, veterans advocates have long maintained that the burden of proof should not be on those who served, and many lawmakers are inclined to agree.

"I've no way to prove where I walked 40 years ago," said ranking Veterans Affairs Committee member Rep. Phil Roe, R-Tenn., who served near the Korean demilitarized zone.

This proposed legislative fix was primarily triggered by a January Federal Circuit decision in the case of Procopio v. Wilkie, which ruled that Blue Water veterans were, in fact, entitled to a presumption of benefits under the Agent Orange Act of 1991, vindicating former sailors who fought for years to challenge the VA's decision to limit the presumption standard only to those soldiers who had "boots on the ground." It appears unlikely that the VA will challenge the court's decision, according to Bloomberg Government, which is why some in Congress are pushing to officially codify and fund the expansion of benefits.

On May 14, 2019, House members voted to pass the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act, which extends access to VA benefits related to Agent Orange illnesses to the sailors who served off the coast of Vietnam, as well as veterans who served near the demilitarized zone on the Korean Peninsula beginning in September 1967. If passed, the bill would also require the VA to identify American military bases in Thailand where Agent Orange was used.

House Veterans Affairs Committee chairman Rep. Mark Takano and Rep. Roe have said that they have included a funding plan that will cover the cost of extending new benefits to veterans for the treatment of Agent Orange illnesses.

"Congress has failed our Blue Water Navy veterans – plain and simple," said Rep. Mark Takano. "It was unjust then and it is unjust now. But today we have an opportunity to right this wrong. Congress didn't find the resolve to act until 1991 and it left out key groups exposed to agent orange… effectively denying their suffering that was a direct result of their service. This bill is the quickest and surest way to deliver benefits to these veterans."

Supporters in the House are now asking their colleagues in the Senate to take up and pass the legislation, as are veteran advocates who are also championing the bill.

"For decades, tens of thousands of veterans, their families and survivors have been denied their earned benefits," leaders of veterans service organizations wrote in a letter to Takano and Roe, according to ConnectingVets.com. "While it is long past due, it is time that we correct the injustice done to Blue Water Navy veterans and provide protection of the Procopio decision by passing H.R. 299."

Though one is far more prominent than the other, there are actually two Memorial Days for Americans to observe this month.

Most everyone is familiar with the federal holiday, which occurs the last Monday of every May and honors the men and women who have died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. But far fewer are aware of Peace Officers Memorial Day, which takes place every May 15 and pays tribute to the local, state and federal peace officers who have died or become disabled in the line of duty.

Here is everything you need to know in order to pay your respects during this time of remembrance:

History of Peace Officers Memorial Day

In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation designating May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day, and the calendar week of each year during which May 15 occurs as Police Week. The proclamation stated, in part, that the purpose of this holiday and corresponding week was to "pay tribute to the law enforcement officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country and to voice our appreciation for all those who currently serve on the front lines of the battle against crime."

In 1982, the Peace Officers Memorial Service was first held in Senate Park, with approximately 120 survivors and supporters of law enforcement gathering near the steps of the U.S. Capitol. In the decades since, the service has grown into a series of events held in our nation's capital, which draw between 25,000 to 40,000 attendees each year, according to PoliceWeek.org.

Over the years, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in D.C.'s Judiciary Square has become an increasingly important site for National Police Week events. Completed in 1982, the monument features the names of over 21,000 law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty throughout American history. This year will mark the 30th anniversary of the sculpture's groundbreaking.

In 1994, a subsequent proclamation by President Bill Clinton directed that the flag be flown at half-mast on Peace Officers Memorial Day.

Celebrating National Police Week

This year, there are multiple services and events happening in Washington D.C. throughout Police Week, and the complete schedule can be found online.

From the annual Blue Mass held by first responders at St. Patrick's Catholic Church to the Police K-9 Memorial Service for fallen police dogs, there are many special commemorations taking place in our nation's capital. The largest such event will be the 38th Annual National Peace Officers' Memorial Service, sponsored by the Grand Lodge Fraternal Order of Police and the Grand Lodge Fraternal Order of Police Auxiliary. The service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 15, on the West Front of the United States Capitol, and is expected to run for 2 hours. There will also be a wreath-laying ceremony immediately following the Memorial Service.

The event follows the 31st Annual Candlelight Vigil held on the National Mall on the evening of Monday, May 13.

To accommodate the tens of thousands of law enforcement officers who flock to D.C. each year, the Fraternal Order of Police D.C. Lodge #1 sponsors receptions open to all law enforcement personnel each afternoon and evening during Police Week.

Even if you aren't headed to Washington D.C., there are many ways to honor law enforcement officers this week. Communities across the country host their own memorial services, so you may be able to find a local event. And even if there are none happening near you, there are always individual ways to privately remember those who have sacrificed their lives in the line of duty, and to thank the men and women who serve in your local law enforcement agency.

In 1999, the late Senator John McCain, himself a former naval pilot and prisoner of war in Vietnam, introduced legislation to designate the month of May as National Military Appreciation Month. Each and every year for the past two decades, the Senate and House of Representatives have adopted resolutions urging the President to issue a proclamation that calls on the people of the United States to recognize and honor U.S. service members as "an act of national unity."

There are a variety of ways for ordinary Americans to heed this call and pay tribute to the brave men and women who serve our country at home and abroad. From recognizing the many national days of observance that take place throughout the month, to performing individual acts of kindness for service members, here are some of the best ways to demonstrate your gratitude this National Military Appreciation Month.

National observances during National Military Appreciation Month

NMAM kicks off each year on May 1 with Loyalty Day, a special day set aside "for the reaffirmation of loyalty to the United States and for the recognition of the heritage of American freedom." First celebrated in 1921, Loyalty Day was made an official recurring holiday by Congress in 1958, and has been recognized with an official proclamation every year by every president since Dwight Eisenhower.

Every May also presents the opportunity to commemorate Victory in Europe Day, which occurred on May 8, 1945, and represented the end of World War II in Europe. This year, VE Day will fall on Wednesday, May 8, and will mark the 74th anniversary of Germany's unconditional surrender to America and the allied forces.

VE Day is shortly followed by Military Spouse Appreciation Day, which traditionally occurs on the Friday before Mother's Day. On May 10, 2019, Americans will honor military spouses with appropriate ceremonies and activities, and recognize the crucial part that military families have to play in strengthening our Armed Forces.

Celebrated the third Saturday in May every year, and this year on May 18, Armed Forces Day is a time reserved for citizens to come together and thank our military members for their service. This holiday celebrates every member of every branch of the U.S. military: the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard.

The last Monday of May is reserved for Memorial Day, a federal holiday meant to commemorate the men and women who died while in military service. This year, Memorial Day falls on May 27, 2019, and events are scheduled to take place throughout the country, with military parades happening in many cities and towns.

How to demonstrate your gratitude this May

There are many individual gestures you can make during NMAM, either in conjunction with one of the individual national observances, or simply as a random act of gratitude.

If there is a specific service member or military family in your life, you can let them know you appreciate their sacrifices with a gift, a thank you card or simply by taking the time to tell them. Offering to cook dinner for a military family or handle their chores on Military Spouse Appreciation Day is a good way to show you care. Similarly, calling and thanking a service member on May 18 is a great way to truly celebrate Armed Forces Day.

If you would like to reach out to service members you are not personally acquainted with, remember that a care package is always welcome. Operation Support Our Troops America has a program that ships boxes full of comfort items to men and women serving abroad, and you can find ways to donate, volunteer or join the mission on their website.

You can also do it on your own. The U.S. Postal Service offers a free "Military Care Kit" with all of the necessary supplies for sending packages overseas, including boxes, packing tape and customs forms. Get your free kit shipped to you by visiting the USPS website.

The brave men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces protect our nation day in and day out, and are deserving of our respect and thanks all year long. But National Military Appreciation Month should inspire us to make a special effort to show our appreciation and display conspicuous acts of gratitude.