National Day of the Deployed is October 26, falling this year on Thursday of next week. The day honors all service members who are now deployed, or have been, as they serve their country in uniform, including thousands of past and present BVA members. It also acknowledges the sacrifices that military parents, siblings, spouses, and children make during deployment. 

The recognition is a recent one with roots in the upper Midwest. North Dakotan Shelle Michaeles Aberle petitioned her Governor in 2006, John Hoevento, to honor service members currently deployed and acknowledge the sacrifices made by military families during deployment. The Governor responded by issuing a proclamation on October 26 that same year. The day was the birthday of Aberle’s cousin, David Hosna, who was deployed in Iraq at the time.

It did not take long for other states to quickly begin adapting National Day of the Deployed. By 2012, all 50 states were observing the day after the U.S. Senate officially proclaimed the day in 2011. Ways to show support to deployed military heroes in recognition of the day include writing a letter to a service member currently deployed, putting together a care package, spreading the word about the day on social media (as BVA intends to do), thanking individual BVA members who have deployed at great sacrifice at any time, or making a small donation here to the Blinded Veterans Association, the organization that now serves them and advocates on their behalf.

For a few outstanding resources on veterans.com regarding this special day of recognition, click here.