FORT BELVOIR, Virginia –
Each day Defense Logistics Agency Energy employees, many of whom are military veterans, work toward their mission to support the warfighter.
May is Military Appreciation Month, and the workforce will have the opportunity to “remember” the warfighter. The workforce may take this time to show appreciation to military service members, their victories and sacrifices.
Nearly 42 percent, or 9,973 individuals, that make up the agency workforce are military veterans, according to the March 2015 workforce demographics report by DLA Human Resources. DLA Energy has 69 active servicemembers and 51 reservists in its workforce.
“May is certainly the perfect month to appreciate our truly exceptional United States military,” said Defense Logistics Agency Energy Commander Air Force Brig. Gen. Mark McLeod. “The month is in many ways a metaphor for military life in times of conflict and struggle--emerging from winter and creating hope for the future.”
May was chosen as National Military Appreciation Month because of the number of days selected to celebrate significant events in U.S. military history.
During the month, a number of days have been designated as commemorative with the intent of urging the American public to reflect and remember military families and individuals who serve the public in government. Those days include:
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May 1, Loyalty Day, a day designated in 1921 for citizens to reaffirm their loyalty to the U.S. and its heritage;
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May 3-9, Public Service Recognition Week to honor individuals who serve as federal, state, country and local government employees;
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May 8, Victory in Europe Day commemorating the unconditional surrender of Germany in World War II on May 8th, 1945;
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May 8, Military Spouse Appreciation Day is celebrated the Friday before Mother’s Day and recognizes the sacrifice and support of military spouses. The holiday began in 1984 under President Ronald Reagan;
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May 16, Armed Forces Day honors Americans serving in the military;
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May 25, the widely-recognized Memorial Day, a federal holiday, began after the Civil War to remember the soldiers on both sides who fell during the war. Later it grew to commemorate all Americans who died serving in the military.
In Washington, D.C., hundreds gathered on the National Mall to view last week’s flyover of vintage World War II-era aircraft or assembled at the World War II memorial to celebrate victory and remember our beloved fallen as part of V-E Day celebrations, McLeod said.
“Today, a new generation stands the watch against terrorism and tyranny, to relieve human suffering in places like Nepal, and to continue to promote freedom at home and around the world,” the DLA Energy commander said. “Like this month ushers in seasonal renewal, they once again carry with them the hope for a brighter future, and the confidence to overcome the challenges of the many inevitable 'winter's' which lie ahead for our great nation.”
In 1999, the U.S. Senate passed legislation designating May as a month when Americans were urged to publicly show their appreciation for the sacrifice and victories made by U.S. service members both past and present.