Every year on October 26th, our nation takes the day to recognize the service and sacrifice of deployed United States service members and their families. The Day of the Deployed celebrates and honors our heroes while they’re away from home. This day honors the nearly 170,000 active duty military members currently serving outside of the United States. These men and women have dedicated themselves to protecting our nation, serving around the world anywhere from 90 days to 15 months at a time.
At IHG® Army Hotels we want to send a special thank you to all service members currently deployed and their family members supporting them back home. We are proud to honor you.
History of National Day of the Deployed
The history of the Day of the Deployed goes back to 2006. The Governor of North Dakota, John Hoeven, began honoring deployed troops. The movement spread across the entire nation extremely quickly, and within five years nearly 40 states were honoring this day. In 2011, Congress voted to formally recognize October 26th as National Day of the Deployed. This national holiday is now recognized across all 50 states.
Our deployed military members have made a commitment to this country that not many others are willing to make. In honor of their bravery and service, here is a list of ways you can thank and support these military heroes!
Ways to Support Our Heroes
You may know a service member who is deployed right now. Perhaps you know veterans or family members who are deployed or have been at some point. This day represents the perfect opportunity to thank a service member currently serving overseas on deployment, or a veteran who has previously deployed. With so many deployed military members, one of the biggest ways to make a difference is just to say thank you and let them know they matter!
SHOW SUPPORT TO YOUR DEPLOYED FRIENDS AND FAMILY MEMBERS
There are many different ways you can support military members in your life who are currently deployed. First, with advances in technology staying in touch has become easier than ever. Reach out to your friend or family member and make sure they know you care about them. A simple live video or phone call, text, Facebook message, care package or snail mail letter will let them know they matter.
With up to 40,000 deployed military members on a classified mission, there may be deployed loved ones in your life who are not always available. Sending them a letter or message that will be seen eventually will make a huge difference in that military member’s day! You can’t go wrong with encouragement and gratitude.
DONATE TO THE USO
The United Service Organizations (USO) supports our service members across the world. The USO is always by our troops’ side, especially during deployment. The mission of the USO is to strengthen our nation’s military members by keeping them connected to family, home, and country throughout their service to the nation. What better way to support our military than by supporting the organization that is always there for our deployed troops!
By donating to the USO, you can rest assured your contribution will make a direct impact on a military member by providing individualized support. If you would rather get directly involved, there are many ways to get involved with the USO. You can also choose from the USO Wish Book if you’d like to send a heartfelt gift to a service member. Aside from donations, you can sign up as a volunteer at a USO Center, help at a special event, and greet service members at homecomings to name just a few opportunities.
ADOPT A SERVICE MEMBER
Several different programs match up donors and military members to provide support through their deployment. Soldiers’ Angels is a great example of a program that helps people just like you support military members. The Deployed Adoptions Team at Soldiers’ Angels’ goal is to make sure no service members feel alone during their deployment. You can apply to join this team if you’re willing to commit to sending at least one letter per week and one care package per month until the service member returns home. The goal is to create a bond with the service member and show your appreciation for their sacrifice. If you’d like to join this team, you can learn more and sign up here.
Just like the USO, Soldiers’ Angles also has a variety of other ways to support deployed military members including letter writing, Chaplain support, pampering female deployed members, special operations support, as well as virtual and in-person volunteer opportunities. Getting involved in something that interests you has never been easier!
SEND A SINGLE CARE PACKAGE OR LETTER
Receiving a letter or a care package is something that many deployed military members absolutely love. If you would rather send just one or several care packages instead of committing to monthly care packages, there are many options out there. Soldiers’ Angels offers volunteers the chance to send one care package full of baked goods.
Support Our Troops also will relay uplifting and encouraging letters to deployed troops. This organization sends letters to deployed soldiers, Sailors, Marines, and Airmen. You can find out how to write a letter here. If you are looking for ideas on what to write, the key is to make your letter sincere; we’ve even written an article on giving gratitude with letter-writing tips.
VISIT A LOCAL CEREMONY
Many local organizations host ceremonies to honor our deployed military members every year on October 26th. Attending one of these ceremonies can show solidarity and support to the family members of those who are currently deployed. Many also broadcast live to deployed locations so you can support troops and voice your thanks for protecting our way of life from afar.
You can find these ceremonies at local Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) near you, or at your local military base’s Family Resource Center. Examples of VSOs include the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Disabled American Veterans, American Veterans, and Vietnam Veterans of America.
The Department of Veterans Affairs maintains a complete list of Veterans Service Organizations, so you can find a local organization and get involved.
BRING AWARENESS TO OUR DEPLOYED MILITARY MEMBERS
By wearing a yellow ribbon, you show support for our deployed troops and raise awareness for our troops and your support. This ribbon signifies the hope that loved ones serving far from home will return safe and sound. The yellow ribbon can be worn on your clothing, used as a sticker on your car, or even tied around a tree.
Over the last decade, our society has transformed into spending a lot of time online on social media. Another option is to post your support for deployed service members and their families on social media using the hashtag #DayOfTheDeployed. Post a message of gratitude to help others understand the sacrifices of the few. Whichever method you choose, this gesture strengthens the support of our nation for our troops overseas.
HELP THE FAMILY OF A DEPLOYED HERO
With thousands of families carrying on with day-to-day life while our troops are deployed, these families are also serving our nation. Did you know that over two million children in the United States have had a parent deployed at least once since 2011? A great way to support a deployed service member is to make sure their families are well taken care of.
Supporting a military family is a great way to say thanks. The opportunities are endless - you could cook meals, buy groceries, take the family out for ice cream, mow the lawn, help out with repairs and maintenance around the house, or even babysit the kids to give the single parent a break for a night. Every little bit helps.
Show Your Support and Gratitude
On October 26th, take a moment to remember and honor the sacrifices of our nation’s deployed military members. No matter which way you decide to support our deployed service members and their families, all that matters is taking action. A simple “thank you” could change a service member’s day.