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National Day of the Deployed

Honor those who serve and remember the sacrifices of our deployed military with National Day of the Deployed - join us in showing our appreciation!

Monday

October 2026

Last updated February 7, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

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YEARLY DATEOctober 26

OBSERVED INUnited States

CATEGORYCareers

SUBCATEGORYMilitary

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

Honor those who serve our country on National Day of the Deployed. Celebrated annually on October 26th, this special day has been around since 2006 and is dedicated to recognizing and thanking those in the U.S. military who have been deployed abroad for their brave service and sacrifice. It's an opportunity to show support for all of our soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, Coast Guardsman and their families by sending letters or cards of appreciation or donating to a cause that supports them.

TIMELINE

National Day of the Deployed Timeline

Establishment of Day

North Dakota Governor John Hoeven officially establishes the Day of the Deployed in appreciation of North Dakota’s deployed servicemembers.

Nationwide Recognition

The U.S. Senate resolves the Day of the Deployed is to be celebrated nationally as a day to honor all deployed military personnel and their families.

Increased Community Participation

Communities across the U.S. show growing support for deployed service members with "mailbox stuffer" campaigns, sending letters and care packages on this day.

Digital Awareness

Social media platforms are increasingly used to raise awareness about the holiday, allowing more people to participate in acknowledging and supporting deployed troops.

Virtual Celebrations

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual celebrations are held allowing people from around the world to honor and support deployed servicemembers.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate National Day of the Deployed

Send a Care Package

Show your appreciation and support to those who are deployed by sending them a care package. Include items they might need or enjoy, such as snacks, hygiene products, books, or even just a nice note to let them know you are thinking of them.

DONATE

Donate to Organizations

Find organizations that help deployed service members and their families and make a donation in honor of the National Day of the Deployed. You can research groups that provide financial assistance to families, send care packages overseas, or offer mental health counseling.

HOST

Host a Fundraising Event

Organize a fundraiser in your community to benefit organizations that assist deployed military personnel. You can host anything from a potluck dinner to a silent auction, bake sale, or car wash. Make sure to spread the word so you can raise as much money as possible.

WRITE

Write Letters of Support

Writing letters of support can be an incredibly powerful way to show your gratitude and appreciation for those who are deployed. Ask local schools and churches if they would be willing to collect letters from their students and congregants and mail them overseas.

FLY

Fly the Flag

On the National Day of the Deployed, fly an American flag at home or in your office as a sign of respect for those currently serving our country. You can also wear red, white, and blue on this day or place ribbons or flags in visible locations around town.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why National Day of the Deployed is Important

It encourages volunteerism & support

National Day of the Deployed is also a great opportunity to get involved in things like volunteer work and other forms of support. Whether it's writing letters or donating supplies to families affected by deployment, it's a chance to give back and let our brave service members know that they are never forgotten and their sacrifices are appreciated.

It honors our bravest citizens

National Day of the Deployed is a day to honor and show appreciation for those brave servicemen and women who put their lives on the line every day to protect our country. It is an opportunity to thank them for their courage, dedication, and service.

It raises awareness of military families

One of the major goals of National Day of the Deployed is to raise awareness of the unique struggles that military families face when one or more loved ones are deployed. It's important to recognize that military wives, husbands, children, siblings, parents, and friends often have to sacrifice just as much as their soldiers do in order for them to serve our country.