National Medal of Honor Day

NATIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR DAY National Medal of Honor Day on March 25th recognizes all Medal of Honor recipients. On March 25, 1863, Secretary of War, Edwin Stanton presented the first Medals of Honor (Army) to six members of  “Andrews Raiders” for their volunteering a......More

NATIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR DAY National Medal of Honor Day on March 25th recognizes all Medal of Honor recipients. On March 25, 1863, Secretary of War, Edwin Stanton presented the first Medals of Honor (Army) to six members of  “Andrews Raiders” for their volunteering and participation during an American Civil War raid in April of 1862. Created in 1861, the Medal of Honor is the United States of America’s highest military honor.  It is awarded only to US military personnel by the President of the United States in the name of Congress for personal acts of valor above and beyond the call of duty. There are three versions of the Medal of Honor; one for the Army, one for the Navy and one for the Air Force, with personnel of the Marine Corps and the Coast Guard receiving the Navy version. Since its creation, there have been 3,468 Medals of Honor awarded to the country’s soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, and coastguardsmen. HOW TO OBSERVE #MedalOfHonorDay Some federal, state, local, and military organizations may hold events recognizing Medal of Honor recipients. These events may be public or private. Other ways to participate include: Volunteering for your local veteran organization Donate to a veteran service organization Adopt a Medal of Honor gravesite Fly the U.S. flag at your home or business Visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Visit local memorial sites Use #MedalOfHonorDay to post on social media. NATIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR DAY HISTORY In 1990, the United States Congress designated March 25th of each year as National Medal of Honor Day.  http://nationaldaycalendar.com/national-medal-of-honor-day-march-25/

Maryland Day

WHAT IS MARYLAND DAY? Maryland Day commemorates the formal founding of the colony of Maryland, when the newly-arrived colonists erected a cross on St. Clement’s Island, offered prayers (perhaps by saying Mass), and took “possession of this Countrey for our Saviour and ......More

WHAT IS MARYLAND DAY? Maryland Day commemorates the formal founding of the colony of Maryland, when the newly-arrived colonists erected a cross on St. Clement’s Island, offered prayers (perhaps by saying Mass), and took “possession of this Countrey for our Saviour and for our soveraigne Lord the King of England.” According to one of the three versions of Father Andrew White’s account of the voyage of the Ark and the Dove, this event took place on 25 March 1633/34 at the colonists’ first landfall in Maryland. In the liturgical calendar of the Roman Catholic Church, this day is the Feast of the Annunciation, or “our blessed Ladies day” as Father White termed it, referring to the Virgin Mary. After consulting with the “Emperor of the Paschataway” and the “King of Yaocomoco,” Leonard Calvert, governor of the colony, negotiated the purchase of land on a nearby tributary of the Potomac River. This became the site of St. Mary’s City, the colony’s first settlement. Marylanders began observing Maryland Day in 1903, when the State Board of Education designated it as a day to be devoted to the study of Maryland history. In 1916, the General Assembly authorized the celebration of Maryland Day as a legal state holiday.   https://www.marylandday.org/  

National Vietnam War Veterans Day

NATIONAL VIETNAM WAR VETERANS DAY National Vietnam War Veterans Day on March 29 honors the men and women who served and sacrificed during the longest conflict in United States history. On March 29, 1973, combat and combat support units withdrew from South Vietnam. Ge......More

NATIONAL VIETNAM WAR VETERANS DAY National Vietnam War Veterans Day on March 29 honors the men and women who served and sacrificed during the longest conflict in United States history. On March 29, 1973, combat and combat support units withdrew from South Vietnam. Generations later, Veterans of this time period are gaining the respect that was not so freely given upon their return. Involving five U.S. presidents, crossing nearly two decades and 500,000 U.S.military personnel, it left an indelible mark on the American psyche. Returning veterans did not always receive respectful welcomes upon their arrival on American soil. Over 58,000 killed, never to return. The observance recognizes the military service of these men and women who answered the call to serve their country when she needed them. They didn’t make the decisions to go to war. Throughout the observance, we recognize the service and duty rendered by all servicemen and women of this era. HOW TO OBSERVE #VietnamWarVeteransDay Around the country, commemorative events, speeches, and luncheons are being held inviting Vietnam Veterans as honored guests. Other ways to participate include: Thank a Vietnam Veteran. Buy them a drink or lunch. Visit a local memorial. Volunteer to help organize events.  Support a veteran’s organization in your community. Volunteer and offer your skills. Watch a Vietnam War documentary such as The Vietnam War: A Film by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick or Last Days in Vietnam directed by Rory Kennedy or Vietnam Nurses by Timeline. Read about the Vietnam War in books like Vietnam – A History by Stanley Karnow or They Marched into Sunlight: War and Peace, Vietnam and America, October 1967 by David Maraniss or The Quiet American by Graham Green and Robert Stone. Send them a shout out using #VietnamWarVeteransDay on social media. NATIONAL VIETNAM WAR VETERANS DAY HISTORY U.S. Sens. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., and Joe Donnelly, D-Ind., introduced legislation in 2017 to honor Vietnam Veterans with a day on the anniversary of the withdrawal of military units from South Vietnam.  President Donald Trump signed the Vietnam War Veterans Day Act on March 28, 2017, calling for U.S. flags to be flown on March 29 for those who served. https://nationaldaycalendar.com/national-vietnam-war-veterans-day-march-29/  

National Gold Star Spouse Day

GOLD STAR SPOUSES DAY Gold Star Spouses Day on April 5 honors the surviving loved ones of military service members killed in the line of duty. The day is a time of remembrance for the spouses and their families and a time of recognition of their sacrifices. Many comm......More

GOLD STAR SPOUSES DAY Gold Star Spouses Day on April 5 honors the surviving loved ones of military service members killed in the line of duty. The day is a time of remembrance for the spouses and their families and a time of recognition of their sacrifices. Many communities and organizations hold events showing support for Gold Star families on this day. Through ceremonies, teas, memorial races, and luncheons, fallen warriors are honored and remembered. The loss of our service members extends beyond the battlefield. They leave behind grieving wives and husbands who become members of an exclusive community no one asks to join. As a nation, our support, understanding, and respect are the least we can provide in return. HOW TO OBSERVE Attend a local event or volunteer with a veterans group. If you know a Gold Star family, stay connected. Find out more about Gold Star spouses by visiting goldstarwives.org. Use #GoldStarSpousesDay to share on social media. HISTORY World War I and Army Captian Robert L. Queissner paved the way for Gold Star families. National Gold Star Mother’s Day was designated on June 23, 1936, by a joint congressional resolution to occur on the Last Sunday in September. In 2011, President Barack Obama amended the day to “Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day.” In 2010, the first Gold Star Wives Day was observed in December. In 2012, the U.S. Senate designated Gold Star Wives Day to be recognized each year on April 5th. The language was later changed to be more inclusive of all spouses, and the name of the day is often used interchangeably. The nonprofit organization Gold Star Wives, Inc. welcomes all spouses. https://nationaldaycalendar.com/gold-star-spouses-day-april-5/

National Former Prisoners of War Recognition Day

NATIONAL FORMER PRISONER OF WAR RECOGNITION DAY National Former Prisoners of War Recognition Day on April 9 honors the courageous men and women who have endured brutal treatment at the hands of their captors, separation from family and displayed incredible endurance a......More

NATIONAL FORMER PRISONER OF WAR RECOGNITION DAY National Former Prisoners of War Recognition Day on April 9 honors the courageous men and women who have endured brutal treatment at the hands of their captors, separation from family and displayed incredible endurance and faith during their captivity. On this day in 1942, the largest number of U.S. Forces were captured by Japanese troops in the Bataan Peninsula in the Philippines. After battling through extreme conditions and prolonged battles, the captured troops were forced to march 65 miles to the prison camp. Without medical attention, food or water thousands died. The mistreatment continued for those who survived the brutal journey. In the compounds, deep in the unfamiliar jungle, the hardships, brutality, and suffering lasted more than two years for those who could survive. Many POWs endure conditions much like this. These heroes deserve a day of recognition. An annual presidential proclamation is signed for National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day and government officials, veterans, civic and private organizations observe the day with ceremonies and events. Some states require the POW/MIA flag to be flown in this day. HOW TO OBSERVE Honor former POWs by helping to organize events.  Ensure your organization flies the POW/MIA flag.  Use #FormerPOWRecognitionDay to share on social media. HISTORY President Ronald Reagan first proclaimed National Prisoner of War Recognition Day in 1987. https://nationaldaycalendar.com/national-former-prisoner-of-war-recognition-day-april-9/  

National Devil Dog Day

NATIONAL DEVIL DOG DAY On April 27th, enjoy a treat in the name of National Devil Dog Day! The day honors the service members dubbed with the nickname and the devilish snack cake. With a layer of cream filling sandwiched between two layers of devil’s food cake, Devil......More

NATIONAL DEVIL DOG DAY On April 27th, enjoy a treat in the name of National Devil Dog Day! The day honors the service members dubbed with the nickname and the devilish snack cake. With a layer of cream filling sandwiched between two layers of devil’s food cake, Devil Dogs became a tasty single-serving treat in the mid-1920s. Drake’s first started making the cakes in 1926. During World War I, the legend goes that German soldiers took to calling U.S. Marines “devil dogs” for their tenacity. In 1918, a U.S. recruiting poster headlined with the phrase Teufel Hunden put the story into full circulation across the country. Although the German expression was rare and oddly worded, and its source blurry at best, the nickname took a firm hold. The underlying truth holds up. The U.S. Marines fought with fierce bravery in Europe as did all the troops. Sports teams adopted the name, poets wrote about the military prowess of the devil dogs, movies were made featuring the devil dogs, and the story of the name embellished or not became a part of history. They even inspired a devilish snack cake, we still enjoy today! HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalDevilDogDay National Devil Dog Day stirs up a taste for history, word origins, and snack cakes! Grab one or two and read up on the history of the Marines in World War I. Find out how they train their devil dogs today.  Use #NationalDevilDogDay to share on social media. NATIONAL DEVIL DOG DAY HISTORY Howard Leslie Sobel, the patriarch and grandfather, introduced Devil Dogs to the Sobel family. As a young boy, Sean Alexander Sobel looked forward to finding them in his grandparent’s cupboard. He would take one for him and one for his grandfather to eat together. It is now a family tradition. Sean Alexander Sobel founded National Devil Dog Day to share the history of Devil Dogs. In 2018, the Registrar at National Day Calendar proclaimed the day to be observed on April 27th, annually. https://nationaldaycalendar.com/national-devil-dog-day-april-27/

National Military Brats Day

April is known as the Month of the Military Child. In that same vein, Military Brats Day is observed on April 30th. About one in 25 Americans … is a Military Brat. No one is sure of the number because the Department of Defense did not keep precise records of the child......More

April is known as the Month of the Military Child. In that same vein, Military Brats Day is observed on April 30th. About one in 25 Americans … is a Military Brat. No one is sure of the number because the Department of Defense did not keep precise records of the children of military personnel. None the less, those children make up a cultural group whose members live in all 50 states, in most American Territories and numerable foreign countries. Their careers are various, their interests are many, but they share a common culture. Once a nomadic band who struggled to stay in touch, Military Brats are leveraging Social Media to pick up and reconnect the disjointed pieces of their childhood. Unlike most children who had the same classmates K-12, Brats often attend four, six even 10-12 schools, seldom staying in the same place for more than a year or two. Many whose childhood homes were on military installations aren’t allowed to “go home again” unless they join the services themselves as adults. Through significant sites such as the Military Brats Registry, Operation Foot Locker, American Overseas Schools Historical Society and others, Brats are finding lost friends, sharing stories and experiences, and organizing around various causes and activities. HOW TO OBSERVE When considering the sacrifices of military personnel, don’t forget the sacrifices of the youngest military members, their children.  Use #NationalMilitaryBratsDay to share on social media. HISTORY Military Brats, Inc. founded National Military Brats Day in 2016 to pay tribute to the sacrifices Military Brats everywhere make. The day was approved by the Registrar at National Day Calendar® in April. Part of the National Military Brats Day initiative is a proposal that Congress set aside a day acknowledging these military children.  For more information visit www.militarybratsinc.org. https://nationaldaycalendar.com/national-military-brats-day-april-30/  

Women Veterans Day

https://www.military.com/benefits/june-12-women-veterans-day.html

U.S. Army Birthday

National Flag Day

NATIONAL FLAG DAY On June 14th, National Flag Day honors Old Glory and commemorates the adoption of the United States flag on June 14, 1777. The holiday is a day that Americans show respect for the U.S. Flag and what it represents. Representing independence and unity......More

NATIONAL FLAG DAY On June 14th, National Flag Day honors Old Glory and commemorates the adoption of the United States flag on June 14, 1777. The holiday is a day that Americans show respect for the U.S. Flag and what it represents. Representing independence and unity, the Star-Spangled Banner has become a powerful symbol of Americanism and the flag is flown proudly.  While Betsy Ross has been given credit for stitching together the first American flag, there isn’t any sound evidence supporting the story. At the same time, there isn’t any to disprove it, either. Part of the conflict is there were several designs in consideration at the same time. There were many flag makers and more than one claim to the first. During Ross’s Revolutionary time, several standards were carried bearing red and white stripes and varying symbols where the blue field and stars now reside. Another who laid claim to the first design was Francis Hopkinson. His request for compensation for his design was denied because others contributed to the design final design.  Since 1777, the design of the flag has been officially modified 26 times. For 47 years, the 48-star flag was in effect. In 1959, the 49-star version became official on July 4. President Eisenhower ordered the 50-star flag on August 21, 1959. Seventeen-year-old Robert G. Heft of Ohio designed the 50-star American flag. His was one of the more than 1,500 designs that were submitted to President Dwight D. Eisenhower.  HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalFlagDay Many people have died protecting our country. On National Flag Day, raise the flag and fly it proudly. Spend time learning more about U.S. flag history, too. Use #NationalFlagDay to post on social media. NATIONAL FLAG DAY HISTORY On May 30, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation deeming June 14th as Flag Day. President Wilson stated, “It is the anniversary of the day upon which the flag of the United States was adopted by the Congress as the emblem of the Union.” He also wrote, “On that day rededicate ourselves to the nation, ‘one and inseparable’ from which every thought that is not worthy of our fathers’ first vows in independence, liberty, and right shall be excluded and in which we shall stand with united hearts.”     https://nationaldaycalendar.com/days-2/national-flag-day-june-14/

National Flag Day & Flag Retirement Ceremony

Flag Day Retirement Ceremony at the Pavilion. Bring your unserviceable American flag for proper disposal or just observe the Boys Scouts.

American Legion Sykesville Memorial Post 223, 7327 Slacks Rd, Sykesville, MD 21784, USA