Celebrating Military Family Month: Honoring the Strength and Dedication of Our Nation’s Backbone
Since its designation in 1996, November has been recognized as Military Family Appreciation Month, a time to honor and appreciate the families who stand behind our service members with unwavering dedication and resilience. These families face unique challenges, from extended separations and frequent relocations to the daily uncertainties that accompany military life. Despite these trials, they embody remarkable strength, courage, and adaptability.
Military families not only support their loved ones on the front lines but also play a vital role in the fabric of our nation’s defense. The sacrifices made by spouses, children, and extended family members help sustain the readiness and morale of our military, reinforcing the health, security, and unity of communities across the country. Their resilience and dedication are essential to the strength of our armed forces and the well-being of the nation.
Every November, the President of the United States formally recognizes these contributions by signing a proclamation to honor military families. Throughout the month, the public joins in acknowledging the invaluable role of these families, who are often referred to as the “backbone” of the military. Their commitment is evident each day as they manage deployments, training schedules, and the challenges that come with military life. Beyond active service, many continue their support by standing with veterans, contributing to their communities, and fostering a legacy of service that spans generations.
Military families are the quiet yet steadfast support systems that ensure the continuity of duty and dedication. They manage the logistics of military life—overseeing pay, benefits, and essential resources—while providing a sense of normalcy and stability at home. As pillars of strength, these families exemplify a profound honor in their own commitment to service.
November’s Military Family Month serves as a reminder of the sacrifices and strength of military families, a time to recognize and honor them for their essential role in upholding the values and security of our nation.
Thank you to all Military Family Members, Veterans & Their Families!!
I am not a veteran. I am a member of the Civil Air Patrol, the United States Air Force Auxiliary. But in 1991, personal loss brought me to a place I never left.
Over two decades later, that loss led me to the State Veterans Cemetery in Middletown, Connecticut, where I took on the coordination of Wreaths Across America — which grew into the largest and fastest growing veterans program in the state. I didn’t do it for recognition. I did it for them.
In 2016 I founded the Connecticut Veterans Bulletin. Not because I served, but because I believe those who did deserve to be honored, connected, and kept alive.
Twenty-two veterans die by suicide every day. I knew about that number before it became a hashtag. I knew it personally, long before anyone was talking about it.
This publication exists because that number is unacceptable. Because every veteran in Connecticut deserves to know someone gives a damn.
That someone is me.
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