The United States Congress has designated May as National Military Appreciation Month.

They shouldn’t have had to take such a step. The appreciation for the service of more than 90 million Americans in the 200 plus years of the nation’s history should be second nature to every one of us fortunate enough to be able to live in this, the greatest country on the planet. Their sacrifices throughout history alone should garner our utmost appreciation for those who wore or wear the uniform of our United States Military.

Every single freedom we enjoy day-to-day here in America was fought for and achieved by these brave souls in uniform throughout the years. The hardships and sacrifices they have made and are still making today deserves the rest of our attention . . . not only in May . . . but every day.

The First Amendment of the Constitution ensures every American five basic freedoms: Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Religion, Freedom of the Press, Freedom of Assembly, and the Freedom to petition the government to remedy grievances. Without these freedoms we would not be the people we are today. Without our military forces, these freedoms would not exist.

Because there was a concern that the average American had lost touch with the military, who they are, what they do, and what they stand for except when war and conflict lead the daily news feeds, Military Appreciation Month was designated in 1999 and the month of May was selected because this month has the most days set aside for celebrating and commemorating our military: Loyalty Day, VE Day, Armed Forces Day, Military Spouse Appreciation Day, and Memorial Day.

In other words, it was generally felt that the importance of our military men and women and the work they have done and are doing was “out of sight out of mind” for the rest of us, so the month of May was set aside to remind us what we have, who we are . . . and why.

Again, we say this should not have had to happen.

The Armed Forces of the United States of America are, without a doubt, the most important presence in the world today, bar none. Our veterans, past and present, deserve our recognition and our appreciation every day . . . not just on a designated holiday, and not just in May.