In 1999, Congress designated May as Military Appreciation Month.

According to military.com, it was to "ensure the nation was given the opportunity to publicly demonstrate its appreciation for the sacrifices and successes made by our servicemembers - past and present."

We should be thanking them every day.

Our young people currently serving in the military are missing their loved ones, birthdays, high school and college graduations, Mother's Day, Father's Day and other important holidays.

Where are they?

They are stationed in bases across the United States and in other countries continuing their training to protect the citizens on this soil.

They are ready to move at a moment's notice, both active duty, reservists and National Guard, if needed.

The younger military personnel were not drafted; they knowingly and willingly made the commitment to serve their country and protect their loved ones here in the states.

For our older veterans, some were drafted and some entered the service on their own.

My father was drafted into the Army in 1953. He and others like him missed their family, holidays and special events while serving their country.

My son is a Marine.

Any way you slice it, these folks made a commitment to serve.

The month of May was selected because it has the most days set aside for celebrating and commemorating the military's achievements.

Military.com lists Loyalty Day, established in 1921; Victory in Europe Day, commemorating the end of World War II in Europe May 8, 1945; Armed Forces Day, created in 1949; Military Spouse Appreciation Day, established in 1984; and, of course, the best known of the May holidays, Memorial Day.

In this year's presidential proclamation for Armed Forces Day May 16, President Barrack Obama said, "This year, as we celebrate the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, we honor the generation that triumphed over tyranny and laid a foundation for peace around the world.

"In the face of oppression, more than 16 million Americans left everything they knew and everyone they loved to fight for freedom far from home.

"Today, this legacy of extraordinary service is carried forward by patriots who protect the same liberties our parents and grandparents fought for.

"Year after year, tour after tour, the members of our Armed Forces serve with honor and distinction. Their sacrifice makes our nation more free and more safe, and in their example, we see the best of America."

Memorial Day is the only federal holiday in May and is celebrated on the last Monday of the month.

The day, dating from the Civil War era, traditionally has marked recognition of those who have died in service to the nation.

Each year on Memorial Day, the White House Commission on Remembrance promotes one minute of silence at 3 p.m. to honor the military's fallen comrades and to pay tribute to the sacrifices by the nation's service members and veterans.

In all our communities, Memorial Day services and parades will be held to remember the fallen. Various veterans groups continue the tradition; however, if you look at the participants closely, most of the participants are older veterans.

In my many interviews while covering these events, our veterans say they are worried the traditions will not continue because the young people today do not participate in the area veterans groups.

This past weekend, I saw two volunteers with a local VFW outside of a grocery store selling poppies. Both were older, selling red poppies, a tradition said to date back to World War I.

It is said the inspiration for the poppy program was found in the "In Flanders Fields," written in May 1915 by John McCrae.

All proceeds from the poppy sales benefit local veterans.

An interview with one such group nine years ago in Easton echoed the concerns of many; younger veterans were not getting involved and that particular group planned to disband because the members were unable to continue the important work.

President Harry S. Truman said, "Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude. America will never forget their sacrifice."

This year, after watching the many ceremonies and parades, find out how you can become involved.

Let us, as a community, continue the traditions of honoring those who have, and will continue to serve, this great nation in keeping their loved ones safe from ISIS and the other forces hoping to take us down.

Debbie Galbraith

editor

East Penn Press

Salisbury Press