Honoring Service and Sacrifice: Memorial Day and Military Appreciation Month
"Freedom is never free." — General Dwight D. Eisenhower
Every May, we pause as a nation to honor those who have worn the uniform of the United States Armed Forces. Military Appreciation Month and Memorial Day offer opportunities not just for reflection, but also for action — to recognize service, support Veterans and military families, and protect the legacies of those who sacrificed for our freedoms.
At Obsidian Ridge Law, we are honored to stand beside Veterans, military families, and survivors — providing education, legal support, and a community that respects and protects what they have earned.
What is Military Appreciation Month?
Military Appreciation Month was officially designated by Congress in 1999 to ensure the nation publicly demonstrates its gratitude for our service members¹. It is celebrated with several key observances throughout May, including:
- Loyalty Day (May 1, 2025)²
- Victory in Europe (V-E) Day (May 8, 2025)³
- Military Spouse Appreciation Day (May 9, 2025)⁴
- Armed Forces Day (May 17, 2025)⁵
- Memorial Day (May 26, 2025)
Memorial Day: A Time to Remember
Memorial Day, often seen as the unofficial start to summer, is first and foremost a solemn day of remembrance. It honors the men and women who gave their lives in service to our country⁶.
Traditionally, Americans observe Memorial Day by:
- Visiting cemeteries and placing flags or flowers on graves of fallen heroes
- Attending memorial services or parades
- Pausing for a National Moment of Remembrance at 3:00 PM local time⁷
- Reflecting on the meaning of service, sacrifice, and freedom
In communities across America, Memorial Day is a powerful reminder that freedom comes at a price.
Supporting Veterans Beyond the Holidays
While Memorial Day and Military Appreciation Month shine a national spotlight on military service, Veterans and military families deserve our support year-round.
At Obsidian Ridge Law, we are committed to serving Veterans with integrity and gratitude through:
- VA Benefits Advocacy: Helping Veterans and survivors understand and claim the benefits they have earned
- Estate Planning: Protecting military families with wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and special considerations for Veteran benefits
- Business Support: Assisting Veteran entrepreneurs with legal formation, compliance, and growth planning
- Survivor Benefit Guidance: Ensuring families are prepared and protected if the unexpected occurs
Join Us This May
This Military Appreciation Month, we invite you to take a moment not just to thank a Veteran — but to learn, support, and take action.
Throughout May, we are proud to host our Lunch with a VA Lawyer webinar series — offering free, accessible legal education on critical topics affecting Veterans and military families.
Together, we can honor the service and sacrifice of those who stood for us — by standing for them.
Ready to learn more?
Register here for the Lunch with a VA Lawyer series.
¹ U.S. Department of Defense, "May Is National Military Appreciation Month": https://www.defense.gov/News/Feature-Stories/Story/Article/2592614/may-is-national-military-appreciation-month/
² Library of Congress, "Loyalty Day": https://www.loc.gov/item/today-in-history/may-01/
³ U.S. Department of Defense, "Victory in Europe (V-E) Day": https://www.defense.gov/Multimedia/Experience/VE-Day/
⁴ U.S. Department of Defense, "Military Spouse Appreciation Day": https://www.defense.gov/Spotlights/Military-Spouse-Appreciation-Day/
⁵ U.S. Department of Defense, "Armed Forces Day": https://www.defense.gov/Spotlights/Armed-Forces-Day/
⁶ U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, "History of Memorial Day": https://www.va.gov/opa/speceven/memday/history.asp
⁷ National Moment of Remembrance Act, Public Law 106-579: https://www.congress.gov/106/plaws/publ579/PLAW-106publ579.pdf