May Events

Observe: National Military Appreciation Month is a month-long observance in the United States that takes place in May to honor the men and women who have served in the U.S. military, both past and present.

Observe: National Mental Health Awareness Month is observed to raise awareness about mental health and mental health care. The month-long observance, started in 1949 by Mental Health America, aims to reduce stigma, provide support, educate the public, and advocate for policies that help those with mental health conditions and their families. 

Observe: Trauma Awareness Month is observed annually to raise awareness about trauma prevention and education. Established in 1988 by President Ronald Reagan, the month-long observance focuses on preventing injuries and promoting safety, with different themes each year, such as distracted driving, sports injuries, and falls.

Observe: National Silver Star Service Banner Day recognizes the sacrifices of the ill, wounded, and dying members of the U.S. Military. The day also honors those who have been awarded with the Silver Star Medal and their families—those who have demonstrated distinguished valor in combat, specifically courage and resilience. The Silver Star is the third highest decoration in the Armed Forces.

Get Involved: The Endeavor Awards® gala event celebrates and honors volunteer pilots with awards and provides charitable support to the organizations that coordinate their gifts of flight to serve those in need. Every year thousands of donated flights save lives, provide access to medical care, transport Veterans, rescue animals, map environmental data, aid in disaster relief and contribute to the public good in communities nationwide. The Endeavor Awards® fundraising events were established by Angel Flight West, a Volunteer Pilot Organization arranging over 5,000 flights each year in the twelve western states. AFW recognized the need for a national platform to increase awareness and support for the use of aviation by individual pilots and their commercial airline partners to provide free transportation for humanitarian purposes.

Get Involved: The VFW Day of Service is a day set aside for veteran-led local community service events. It is an outgrowth of the VFW’s #StillServing initiative that since 2020 has brought recognition to how much U.S. military veterans continue to serve in their communities after they take off their uniform.

Get Involved: In celebration of National Pet Week, we recognize the extraordinary role Military Working Dogs play in supporting our Service Members and protecting our communities. These loyal and highly trained canines use their remarkable skills to detect threats, save lives, and stand alongside their handlers in challenging environments. Their courage, devotion, and unbreakable bonds remind us of the powerful connection between people and animals.

Observe: International Firefighters’ Day is observed on May 4, in order to honor firefighters for their service internationally, remember firefighters who lost their lives during service and to commemorate firefighters killed in the September 11 attacks.

Get Involved: Next 18 provides immersive four-day wellness camps that use the game of golf as a catalyst to deliver holistic mental health education and support for veterans and first responders. These camps combine group facilitation with activities like yoga, breathwork, journaling, and meditation, offering a unique blend of therapeutic resources within a traditional golf camp experience. By fostering constructive conversations and equipping participants with practical tools for healing, the program empowers veterans and first responders to lead healthier, happier lives.

Get Involved: 4-person team sporting clays tournament. Prizes to top 2 teams • If you need help filling your team, we can arrange a member of the special operations forces community to join your team!

Observe: On May 8, 1945, thousands of people took to the streets in cities around the world to celebrate news of Germany’s surrender and the end of World War II in Europe. 

Observe: First recognized by President Ronald Reagan in 1984, Military Spouse Appreciation Day was established to honor the sacrifices and contributions of military spouses. 

Observe: Armed Forces Week is a week of celebrations that culminates in Armed Forces Day, the third Saturday of May in the United States. While the entire week honors the military, Armed Forces Day specifically recognizes and pays tribute to the men and women currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, including the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Space Force. 

Observe: Peace Officers Memorial Day and National Police week  (May 15) : Peace Officers Memorial Day and Police Week is an observance in the United States that pays tribute to the local, state, and federal peace officers who have died, or who have been disabled, in the line of duty. It is celebrated May 15 of each year.

Get Involved: Next 18 provides immersive four-day wellness camps that use the game of golf as a catalyst to deliver holistic mental health education and support for veterans and first responders. These camps combine group facilitation with activities like yoga, breathwork, journaling, and meditation, offering a unique blend of therapeutic resources within a traditional golf camp experience. By fostering constructive conversations and equipping participants with practical tools for healing, the program empowers veterans and first responders to lead healthier, happier lives.

Observe: May 13th is Children of Fallen Patriots Day. In the past 25 years, more than 15,000 children have lost parents in military conflict. Children of Fallen Patriots Day was created in order to both honor these children and raise awareness of the sacrifices and struggles they must endure in the wake of their parents death

Get Involved: Annual fundraising gala. Wounded Warriors Abilities Ranch (WWAR) was built to inspire veterans of all conflicts to get OUT and get ACTIVE by offering activities for all Military Veterans in need of a supportive and healing environment. WWAR offers a huge range of activities, workshops, clinics and events for all veterans and the adaptive sports community in the Tampa Bay Area.

Get Involved: Join us Monday, May 16th for our Storybook Ball gala! A fun evening with dinner and dancing the night away! Activities include both a raffle and silent auction all while supporting kids and families staying at Ronald McDonald House Charities Tampa Bay (RMHCTB)!

Get Involved: Task Force Dagger Special Operations Foundation (TFDSOF) and the Special Forces Foundation (SFF) are proud to co-host a golf tournament in Tampa, Florida—bringing together leaders, supporters, and community partners to raise awareness and funding for our nation’s Special Operations Forces and their families. Tentatively scheduled for the Sunday leading into Tampa SOF Week, the tournament offers a unique opportunity for participants to engage directly with SOF warriors while supporting two organizations making a lasting impact. The day will include a friendly yet competitive round of golf, followed by a closing dinner and brief speaking program. Guests will hear powerful firsthand stories from those whose lives have been transformed by the missions of TFDSOF and SFF.

Get Involved: In observance of the 25th anniversary of 9/11, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation (T2T) will be transporting an authentic World Trade Center steel beam across the United States. The national journey will visit 35 communities and landmark locations across 21 states, bringing remembrance directly to Americans and connecting generations through a powerful symbol of service and sacrifice. The T2T 9/11 Never Forget Mobile Exhibit will be accompanying the steel. The exhibits will be honored in the Let Us Do Good Village in Land O Lakes, FL on Sunday, May 17 at 11:00 am. Please join us! Visit the T2T website for the full tour schedule: https://t2t.org/steel-across-america-connecting-a-nation/

Observe: National EMS Week honors emergency medical services professionals for their dedication. The event is organized by the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT) and the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) to recognize the contributions of EMTs and paramedics and raise public awareness of their role. 

Get Involved: Event to support Bay Pines National Cemetery Annual Memorial Day flag placement activities. Sponsorship is required to purchase replacement flags and Volunteers are sought to place approximately 32,000 flags at individual gravesites.

Get Involved: From April 27 to May 26, Memorial May events occur nationwide, bringing communities together to pay tribute to our nation’s heroes. With participants and partners, Carry The Load tangibly serves our country’s military, veterans, first responders, and their families. We unite thousands in a nationwide campaign that boasts hundreds of local events across the country to provide Americans active, meaningful opportunities to honor and remember our fallen heroes. Money raised throughout Memorial May goes towards supporting military, veterans, first responders, and their families so that they have access to counseling, adaptive training, suicide prevention, equine therapy, service dogs, job placements, transition, home improvements, scholarships for children, and more.

Observe: Holiday for honoring and mourning the U.S. military personnel who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.