Dr. Jim Surrell, Journal columnist

Congress designated May as National Military Appreciation Month in 1999 to ensure the nation was given the chance to publicly show our appreciation for all our military personnel who are serving at the present time and those who have served in the past.

This month reminds us to honor the service and sacrifice of members of the Army,  Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force,  Coast Guard, Space Force, and our National Guard and Military Reserve Units, as well as the contribution of their spouses.

Every year we celebrate our annual Memorial Day, this year on Monday, May 30, to remember the sacrifice and service of those who gave all. The month of May also has several other military recognition events, including Military Spouse Appreciation Day and  Armed Forces Day.

Military Spouse Appreciation Day is celebrated on the Friday before Mother’s Day and this year will be on May 6. This special day was first recognized by President Ronald Reagan in 1984. The sitting president typically issues a proclamation in recognition of this holiday, while celebrations are held on U.S. military bases around the world. Our annual Armed Forces Day will be celebrated this year on Saturday, May 21.

As mentioned above, our National Military Appreciation Day began in 1999. This began when the late Senator John McCain introduced legislation designating the month of May as National Military Appreciation Month. His legislation received strong bipartisan support and both the Senate and the House of Representatives adopted resolutions calling for the country to recognize and honor all of our military service members during the month of May.

With many of our holidays becoming nothing more than three-day weekends for the majority of Americans, Senator McCain’s vision was that this would bring a renewed focus on the contributions of all our USA military personnel. Our National Military Appreciation Month is designed to remind all of us of the extreme sacrifice given by all who serve as members of our military. It is a time for all of us to recognize our members of the military, past and present, for all their patriotic contributions to serve us all so very much.

I am also very proud that I have had multiple family members who served in the military. My two brothers served for two years on active duty in the United States Army. I am also very honored to advise you that my father served for five years on active duty as a United States Army physician in Europe during World War II. He very proudly served as a Medical Battalion Commander serving General George Patton and others. As you might imagine, he had quite a few stories about some interactions with General Patton. Further, I am also very proud that I had the opportunity to serve for six years in the United States Army National Guard.

During this month of May being our United States Military Appreciation Month, let us remember to be sure to thank all of our current military personnel and all of our military veterans as well. May God Bless all our military personnel, past and present, and all their family members as well.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Dr. Jim Surrell is the author of “The ABC’s For Success In All We Do” and the “SOS (Stop Only Sugar) Diet” books.Contact Dr. Surrell by email at sosdietdoc@gmail.com.