The Armed Services YMCA established Veterans & Military Families Month in 1996. The U.S. Government has recognized the occasion every year since. Each November, the President signs a proclamation declaring November National Veterans & Military Families Month, and with hundreds of thousands of service members deployed overseas, recognizing the daily sacrifices made by active duty, Guard, and Reserve military families has never been more important.

The same applies to American veterans, the number of which is currently projected at 17.6 million, or roughly 12 percent of the population. Although military service has come to an end for them, their past sacrifices are no less significant to the preservation of American freedoms and way of life. Check out via veteran.com the numerous ways veterans and military families can be served and honored in return.