.svg)
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.
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2006</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Establishment of Day</div><div class='timeline-text'>North Dakota Governor John Hoeven officially establishes the Day of the Deployed in appreciation of North Dakota’s deployed servicemembers.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2011</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Nationwide Recognition</div><div class='timeline-text'>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.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2013</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Increased Community Participation</div><div class='timeline-text'>Communities across the U.S. show growing support for deployed service members with "mailbox stuffer" campaigns, sending letters and care packages on this day.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2016</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Digital Awareness</div><div class='timeline-text'>Social media platforms are increasingly used to raise awareness about the holiday, allowing more people to participate in acknowledging and supporting deployed troops.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2020</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Virtual Celebrations</div><div class='timeline-text'>Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual celebrations are held allowing people from around the world to honor and support deployed servicemembers.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Send a Care Package</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>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.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Donate to Organizations</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>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.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Host a Fundraising Event</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>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.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Write Letters of Support</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>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.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Fly the Flag</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>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.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It honors our bravest citizens</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>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.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It raises awareness of military families</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>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.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It encourages volunteerism & support</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>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.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The Idea for the Holiday Was Proposed by a Military Family Member</h3><p class='facts-content'>Shelle Michaels Aberle, whose cousin was deployed to Iraq, proposed the idea of having a day to honor deployed military service members to North Dakota's Governor, John Hoeven in 2006.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>National Day of the Deployed Marks the Birthdate of a Great Leader</h3><p class='facts-content'>This special day is held on October 26 in remembrance of the birthdate of Army General Billy F. Wellman, who was a devoted military leader and the first to establish a location for mobilizing and training reserves in peace time.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Bismarck, North Dakota Held the First Formal Observance</h3><p class='facts-content'>The first formal observance of National Day of the Deployed was held in Bismarck, North Dakota on October 26, 2007. Bismarck continues to host ceremonies and events annually to honor the deployed military personnel.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Several National Figures Have Endorsed the Day</h3><p class='facts-content'>Several key figures, including former President Barack Obama, have expressed their support for National Day of the Deployed, acknowledging its value in honoring the commitment and sacrifice our deployed troops have made for the safety and freedom of the US.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The Holiday Has Strong Ties With the Community</h3><p class='facts-content'>National Day of the Deployed has a strong relationship with local communities. This day doesn't just involve the army and their families, but also schools, businesses, service organizations, and individual citizens who organize events or perform actions to show support for our deployed service members.</p></div></div>
National Day of the Deployed is celebrated on October 26 every year. In 2024, it will fall on a Saturday.
2023
Oct 26
Thursday
2024
Oct 26
Saturday
2025
Oct 26
Sunday
2026
Oct 26
Monday
2027
Oct 26
Tuesday
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
