Honoring the armed forces is an important way to show respect and give thanks for the sacrifices our servicemen and women make to keep our country safe. These brave individuals put their lives on the line to defend our freedoms and protect our way of living. Whether they serve on the front lines or support operations from afar, the contributions of these men and women are invaluable to our nation's security. As a family of addiction treatment centers that offer Military and Veterans in Recovery (MVIR) programs for substance abuse and mental illness, we understand the many challenges this demographic phases both during and outside of service. To better express our gratitude for these brave men and women, we’re sharing more about Armed Forces Day 2023 and how we show our appreciation.
What Is Armed Forces Day?
Armed Forces Day is a national holiday celebrated in order to honor and pay tribute to the men and women who serve in their country’s armed forces. This is a day to recognize and appreciate the contributions and sacrifices made by military personnel in defending their nation and supporting the preservation of freedom and democracy.
In the U.S., Armed Forces Day is on the third Saturday of May every year. The day was established in 1949 to replace separate Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force Days. This holiday serves as an opportunity for the general public to show their support and appreciation for the military and learn more about the armed forces and why they’re important. Many events are held on this day, allowing the public to join in on the celebrations, including parades, military displays, and ceremonies.
Celebrating National Armed Forces Day 2023
There are several ways to celebrate Armed Forces Day and show your support and appreciation for the people who serve in the U.S. military. Here are some ideas:
- Attend a local event: Many communities organize parades, military displays, and other events to honor the military on Armed Forces Day. You can simply look up any events in your local community to find dates, times, and locations where you can celebrate.
- Display the American flag: Another simple way to show your support is by displaying the American flag outside your home, workplace, or even at your desk or in your workspace.
- Donate to a veterans organization: Donate to a veterans organization that supports active-duty service members, veterans, and their families. This can help these individuals in getting insurance, healthcare, and more.
- Participate in a military exercise: Some military bases and units may offer opportunities for civilians to participate in exercises or demonstrations to learn what military personnel do. This is a great way to understand what our troops and veterans go through and have experienced in their careers.
- Send a care package to a service member: Send a care package to a deployed service member to let them know that you’re thinking of them and appreciate their service. Your care package can include a picture of you and/or your family, their favorite snacks, their favorite book, and other small things they can hang up in their living space to remind them of home. There are also plenty of online resources available that facilitate the process of sending these packages to deployed servicemen and women.
- Thank a service member: If you know someone who has served or is currently serving in the military, take the time to thank them for their service. If you see a service member in uniform walking on the street or at the grocery store, give your thanks.
- Visit a veterans hospital: Visit a local veterans hospital and spend time with veterans to get to know them and show your support and gratitude for their service.
- Support the family of a service member: Just as you would send over a care package to active-duty personnel, you can also show your support to the family of someone currently deployed by cooking them a meal.
Remember, it's important to celebrate Armed Forces Day in a way that honors and respects the sacrifices service members and their families have made. This day is meant to commemorate the hard work and dedication of many in our country who have given up holidays, birthdays, and other important events to ensure that we’re able to enjoy these things.
Happy Armed Forces Day From Banyan
Numerous Banyan rehab locations offer active-duty and veterans drug rehab programs to aid our service members in their recovery from drug and alcohol abuse. Our MVIR program also offers mental health treatment in select locations.
We understand that combat exposure and trauma affect many military personnel and veterans, contributing either to mental illness, the use of drugs and alcohol, or both. According to Veterans Affairs, 7 in every 100 veterans will have PTSD.1 Additionally, more than 1 in 10 veterans have been diagnosed with a substance use disorder.2
Considering the high rates at which both mental illness and addiction occur in veterans and active duty, we believe it’s crucial to offer comprehensive care that understands their struggles and meets their needs. Therefore, if you or someone you care about is in the military or is a veteran who struggles with addiction or mental illness, a great way to honor them on Armed Forces Day is to help them find support.
Call Banyan Treatment Centers today at 888-280-4763 or verify your insurance to learn more about our addiction and mental health treatment for veterans.
Sources:
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs - PTSD: National Center for PTSD
- National Institute on Drug Abuse - Substance Use and Military Life DrugFacts
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