May is Military Appreciation Month

Happy Military Appreciation Month!

This is a special month set aside to honor all those who have served or are serving in the military.

Congress designated May as National Military Appreciation Month in 1999 to ensure the nation was given the chance to publicly show their appreciation for troops past and present.

May was chosen because it has many individual days which celebrate military achievements and service. Those days are:

Loyalty Day (was May 1) - It is a day set aside "for the reaffirmation of loyalty to the United States and for the recognition of the heritage of American freedom".

Military Spouse Appreciation Day (May 7) - Military Spouse Appreciation Day takes place on the Friday before Mother's Day and honors the military spouses who sacrifice so much in support of their service member's mission. Military Spouse Appreciation Week is this week (May 2-9).

Victory in Europe (VE) Day (May 8) - celebrated each May 8 for the Allies of World War II’s victory over Nazi Germany in 1945.

Children of Fallon Patriots Day (May 13) - honoring children left behind by a parent in the line of duty.

Armed Forces Day (May 15) - celebrating all members of the U.S. Armed Forces on the third Saturday in May. This year it is on May 15.

Rolling To Remember (Memorial Day Weekend) - formerly known as Rolling Thunder, Rolling To Remember is a motorcycle demonstration ride to bring awareness of the suicide epidemic among the nation's military members and veterans. The ride is hosted by AMVETS and takes place in Washington D.C. Sign up for this year's ride here.

Memorial Day (May 31) recognized on the last Monday of May, honoring all members of our U.S. military who paid the ultimate sacrifice while serving our country. Last year celebrations were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Check with your local AMVETS Post to see if observances are being held this year.

Military freebies and discounts

Many companies and services are offering discounts to military members, veterans and their families this month.

adidas: All military members will get 30% off their online orders.

Apple: Current military members, veterans and immediate family members residing in the same household can save 10% on Apple products.

Asics: A one-time 40% off promotion code will be sent following verification for use on full-priced items for all U.S. military personnel.

AT&T: Military members, veterans and their families can sign up for AT&T’s unlimited plans for as low as $27 per month with four lines.

Champion: Champion offers all members of the military community, including veterans, 10% off sitewide.

Converse: Military personnel, including active members, reservists, veterans and retired soldiers, can get 15% off here upon verification.

Joann: Join the retailer’s military rewards program to save 15% on your total purchase.

L.L.Bean: Active, veteran, retired, and reservist personnel can save 10% on their orders at L.L. Bean.

Lenovo: Get an additional 7% off all Lenovo products (including weekly deals!) as an active military, reservist, veteran or immediate military family members.

Levi’s: Levi's presents 15% off all its apparel for military service members.

Madewell: U.S. military personnel can save 15% on Madewell orders with a free Madewell Insider account.

Michaels: Get 15% off your entire purchase—including sale items—when you register through a free Michaels rewards account with a valid military ID.

Nike: Nike customers who double as active, reservist, veteran and retired military personnel will enjoy a 10% markdown for all orders.

Omaha Steaks: Military members, retirees, veterans, spouses and dependents can save 10% on steaks and more.

Puma: Verified active and veteran military Puma shoppers can take 10% off purchases.

Reebok: Receive 30% off as a military member when you verify your eligibility at Reebok.

Samsung: Join Samsung’s military discount program to save up to 30% on appliances and more.

T-Mobile: T-Mobile offers one of the biggest military discounts of them all, with 50% off Magenta rate family lines for eligible members of the U.S. military, veterans and their families.

The North Face: Get 10% off your order as an active, reservist, veteran or retired military member. Spouses and dependents are also eligible for this perk.

Theragun: Theragun is offering 20% off a single regularly-priced device or one TheraOne CBD product to military personnel and veterans.

Tuft & Needle: Active, verified military and veterans will receive a 15% discount on their entire order at the mattress site.

Under Armour: Military personnel, retirees, veterans and their spouses and family members can currently save 20% online by clicking the button to verify their status as military and first responders (find this under the promotion code area).

Verizon Wireless: Unlimited plans are available for military, veterans and family members from $30 per line each month with the purchase of four lines.

Vineyard Vines: Once verified, active duty military and veterans will receive 15% off almost everything Vineyard Vines has to offer.

Yankee Candle: Active and retired military members, as well as their immediate family members, can save 10% on every single Yankee Candle purchase.

Zappos: Zappos is giving 10% off entire orders to its military shoppers.

MilitaryBenefits.info has offered a comprehensive list of national freebies and discounts. You can find it here.

Military.com also has a running national list of discounts. Check back often as discounts are being added to this list daily.