May is National Military Appreciation Month (NMAM), which was created by Congress in 1999 to help honor the contributions and sacrifices of members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families.

Days in 2026 that honor Veterans and military personnel include Military Spouse Appreciation Day and Victory in Europe Day on May 8, Armed Forces Day on May 16, and Memorial Day.

Would you like to show your appreciation to Veterans, military personnel, and their families this month? Think about these ideas!

1. Thank them in person. Nothing beats speaking to members of the military in person. Writing letters and posting on social media are good, too!
2. Participate in ceremonies, parades, and flag placements at cemeteries. Taking time out of your day or weekend and showing up to events like these is a great way to show members of the armed forces and their families that you appreciate them.
3. Build housing for Veterans. Initiatives like Habitat for Humanity’s Veterans Build Program help build, rehab, and repair homes for Veterans who need affordable housing.
4. Volunteer at Veteran organizations. Look for opportunities to work with respected organizations in your community, like Wounded Warriors Family Support.
5. Advocate for government policies and programs. Our military has worked to protect our country. Make sure our government takes care of them by advocating for policies with government officials and representatives that help Veterans.
6. Support military families. The families of Veterans and military personnel serve the nation every bit as much as members of the armed forces do. Find ways to help your friends, neighbors, and coworkers who are part of military families when they need it.

Freedom Mortgage is proud to support Veterans and their families through our work with the USO, Rucksacks to Backpacks, and more.