Military Appreciation Month
Issue No. 001 - May 2025
5 Ways to Celebrate National Military Appreciation Month
As time goes by calendars get packed with several dates of observances. There are days that honor family members such as Mother’s Day (May) and Father’s Day (June), some days bring awareness like Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October), and other days are a cause for celebration such as July 4th.
May’s National Military Appreciation Month is a national observance that highlights the importance of recognizing and honoring the sacrifices made by our Armed Forces, past and present. The month, which is sprinkled with other dates of remembrances, encourages Americans to reflect on true heroism – a life of service dedicated to ensuring our freedoms and safeguarding the world – which the brave men and women of our military exemplify.
Here are 5 ways to celebrate National Military Appreciation Month:
1.Fly Your Flag – Flying your flag is a simple way to show your support.
2.Pay Your Respects – Visit a cemetery or memorial site to pay your respects to those brave men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice.
3.Support Military Owned Businesses – Our community is filled with many local businesses owned by military veterans, take the time to stop by, recommend their shop, or purchase their products.
4.Visit the VA Hospital – Spend some time with veterans at the VA hospital to show your appreciation.
5.Say Thank You – Saying “Thank You” has a profound impact in and of itself. Saying “Thank You” to our military shows your acknowledgement of their service and your appreciation for the sacrifices they have made.
“The willingness of America’s veterans to sacrifice for our country has earned them our lasting gratitude.”– Jeff Miller
National Military Appreciation Month TimeLine
In February of 1999, Senator John McCain proposed legislation to have a month-long observance dedicated to celebrating all the service members of the military.
With a unanimous vote of 93-0, on April 30, 1999, Congress passed a resolution to designate May as National Military Appreciation Month.
2004 Congress passed a more comprehensive resolution to solidify National Military Appreciation Month, mandating the President to issue an annual proclamation calling Americans to recognize the month with a number of ceremonies and events. The resolution also calls for Congress to work to support the goals and objectives of National Military Appreciation Month.
Vet Talk
Vet Talk is the brainchild of Juan Blanco, Coffee4VETS’ founder and president. Juan started Vet Talk during the pandemic as a way to help veterans work through the difficulties of being isolated, sheltering at home, and social distancing. Vet Talk became crucial in keeping the veteran community connected.
In continuing with the same spirit of keeping the veteran community connected. Vet Talk is being relaunched. The series will feature 1 monthly question answered by our Veteran community. The monthly question will cover a broad scope of topics, ranging from their lives before, during, and after service.
A special Thank You to Sgt. Terry Wagner, USMC (Retired), MSgt. Leonard Thronton, USMC (Retired), MSgt, Karen Campbell, USAF (Retired), and PO2, Charles Hughes, Navy (Retired) for your service and for taking the time to answer this month’s question.
This month’s question is: What motivated you to enlist in the military?
Click the pictures to read their answers.
THank you Fred Barthe
We are Honoring Lt. Cmdr. Ret. Fred Barthe, Coast Guard Veteran who leaving the AV to live with his family.
Thank You Fred!
Thank you for your service, your friendship and making us all laugh.
President's Message
Welcome to the Coffee4VETS Newsletter.
Incorporated in 2016, we have been the main stay for senior Veterans here in the Antelope Valley connecting our Veterans to information and services offered by the VA, Cal Vets, JVS, Veteran Peer Access Network, along with Mental Health America Los Angeles – Military Resource Center.
We host a breakfast program (with FREE coffee and 1/2 off the cost of breakfast) weekly in Lancaster, Ca and a bi-weekly in Santa Clarita, Ca at Crazy Otto’s Diner. Our outreach has made a positive impact in both the Veteran’s life along with their family members by connecting them to resources and the community.
Our Moto: “Honoring Our Veterans of Yesterday Who Secured Our Today.”
Our Purpose: Pride of Service
Highlight of The Month
April 2025
Col. Carnduff “Thank You for All You Do”, a volunteer appreciation event held at Edwards AFB.
On April 18, Coffee4VETS was recognized as a volunteer organization that helped Airman & family members in 2024. We look forward to continuing our efforts to support Edwards in 2025. Many thanks to Marlene Simock, Event Chair for this wonderful and fun event.
Save the Date
We Invite You to Join Us
Join us for our weekly Coffee4VETS event at Crazy Otto’s! Veterans and active-duty military can enjoy FREE coffee and 1/2 off breakfast!
Date: Every Tuesday
Time: 7 A.M – 9 A.M
Hosted At: Crazy Otto’s Ave 1228 W. Ave I, Lancaster, CA
Classic Car Show Hosted by Lancaster Elks Lodge 1625
Date: May 10, 2025
Time: 9 A.M. – 1 P.M.
Where: Lancaster Elks Lodge #165 – 240 E. Ave. K, Lancaster CA 93535
Click on link for more info: Classic Car Show
An event Hosted by Boots on the Ground & Military Veteran Affairs to connect Veterans and the families to resources.
Date: May 17,2025
Time: 9 A.M. – 2 P.M.
Where: The Highlands 29625 20Th St. W, Palmdale, CA
Click on link for more info: 2025 AV Stand Down
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA’S LARGEST MEMORIAL DAY EVENT – AND IT’S FREE!
LA Fleet Week is an annual, multi-day celebration of our nation’s Sea Services held on the LA Waterfront at the Port of Los Angeles over the extended Memorial Day Weekend.
Coffee4Vets will host the LCMDR Walter Sapp Memorial Day BBQ on Saturday, May 31 at the Lancaster ELKS Lodge #1625.
The BBQ is OPEN/FREE to all Veterans, active-duty personnel and family members, as a Thank You to all that served in combat zones and who did not make it home.
LCMDR Sapp served in the United States Coast Guard and is a Veteran of the Vietnam Era. He has been a member of the Elks for many years. In 2020 he contracted the COVID virus and has been hospitalized since. The BBQ is named in his honor for his service to out nation, the Elks, and for his strength in surviving the virus.
Date: Sat. May 31, 2025
Time: 11 A.M – 3 P.M
Hosted At: Lancaster Elks Lodge #165 – 240 E. Ave. K, Lancaster CA 93535
Happy Birthday
A Very Happy Birthday from Coffee4VETS!
May observances
Mark Your Calendars
Silver Star Service Banner Day – The day honors the sacrifices of the U.S. military personnel as well as those awarded with the Silver Star
Loyalty Day – The day for declaring loyalty to the United States and to acknowledge American history.
Public Service Recognition Week – A week to honor the people who serve our nation as federal, state, county, and local government employees.
National Correctional Officers Week – A week to acknowledge the courage and heroism of correctional officers.
National Nurses Week – A week to recognize the invaluable contributions of nurses.
Victory in Europe Day (VE Day) – Marks the day Germany surrendered to end World War Two (WW2).
Military Spouse Appreciation Day – A day set aside to recognize the strength and contributions of military souses.
Mother’s Day Thank You to all the moms for all that you do.
Armed Forces Week – A week-long celebration to honor and recognize the men and women who have served, past and present.
Children of Fallen Patriots Day – A day to recognize the sacrifice of children who have lost a parent in the line of duty.
Peace Officers Memorial Day – A day to pay tribute to local, state, and federal peace officers who have died or who have been disabled in the line of duty.
Armed Forces Day – A day to honor service members from every branch of the U.S military.
We celebrate our active-duty personnel from all branches of services on the third Saturday of May. The Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Air Force and Space Force. Conceived in 1949 by then President Harry S. Truman, it’s a day to pay special tribute to the men and women of the Armed Forces.
President Truman led the effort to establish a holiday in order for citizens to unite and honor our military heroes for their patriotic service in support of the United States of America. Although, originally, there were single day celebrations for the Army, Navy and Air Force; this format changed on Aug. 21, 1949, when Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson announced the creation of the Armed Forces Day, stemming from the unification of the Armed Forces under the Department of Defense.
In 1961, John F. Kennedy declared Armed Forces Day a national holiday marking it’s celebrated on the third Saturday of every May.
Maritime Day – A day to recognize the launch of the maritime industry and to honor the Merchant Marines.
Memorial Day
Memorial Day began after the Civil War with both formal and informal ceremonies at graves and ceremonies for the soldiers who had fallen in battle. Many places claim to be the birthplace of Memorial Day in 1866, including Waterloo, New York, and Macon and Columbus, Georgia. On May 5, 1868, the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR), a Union veterans’ organization, established Decoration Day, May 30, as a time for the nation to decorate the dead with flowers. Arlington National Cemetery held the first large observance later that year.
By the end of the 19th century, Memorial Day ceremonies were held throughout the country on May 30. The Army and Navy adopted policies for proper observances, and state legislatures passed proclamations designating the day. After World War I, the day was expanded to honor those who died in all American wars, and in 1971, Memorial Day was declared a national holiday to be celebrated on the last Monday in May
Memorial Day is meant for remembering and honoring military personnel who died in the service of their country, particularly those who died in battle or as a result of a wound sustained in battle.
Veterans Golden Age Games – The National Veterans Golden Age Games is a multi-event sports competition designed to enhance the health and quality of life for older veterans aged 55 and over.
Coffee4VETS, Inc. is a 501c(3) non-profit organization that operates by the generous donations from individuals and other non-profit organizations. Thank you for visiting our page.