Veterans Among US is UCOP’s newest employee resource group! Led by Mark Romo, chair, and Martha Naber, vice chair, VAUS is helping employees engage in activities and events that support veterans, while creating bonds between colleagues based on armed services connections, including personal and family affiliations as well as overall admiration for the armed services. More information about VAUS will be shared in a future issue of Link.

This May, VAUS members encourage all UCOP colleagues to join them in recognizing National Military Appreciation Month — a designation formed by Congress in May 1999 to provide an opportunity for Americans to demonstrate their thanks and support for those who serve in the military today and those who have served in the past.

National Military Appreciation Month holidays

May 10, 2024: Military Spouse Appreciation Day

Last Friday, we marked Military Spouse Appreciation Day — a day to recognize and celebrate the contributions of those who are married to members of the Armed Forces. Originally introduced by President Reagan in 1984, Military Spouse Appreciation Day was formally instituted by Congress in 1999. Military Spouse Appreciation Day always falls the Friday before Mother’s Day. Read President Biden’s proclamation. 

May 20, 2024: Armed Forces Day
Celebrated annually on the third Saturday of May, Armed Forces Day is an opportunity for citizens to come together and recognize the sacrifices and contributions made by those who have served or are currently serving in the military. This holiday was established to recognize the 1949 consolidation of all U.S. Armed Forces — the Air Force, Army, Navy and Marine Corps — under the Department of Defense.

May 27, 2024: Memorial Day
Memorial Day honors members of the Armed Forces who died while defending our country. It is observed annually on the last Monday of May. Originally known as Decoration Day, this holiday was formalized as a “Memorial Day Order” and celebrated on May 30 by Grand Army of the Republic Commander-in-Chief John A. Logan in 1868. Memorial Day was observed on May 30 until 1971, when Congress established Memorial Day as a federal holiday and fixed its observance on the last Monday in May.

Ideas for giving back

Express your thanks to active service members, veterans, and families of service members and veterans! Here are some suggestions of how to give back:

• Verbally express your thanks
• Offer to buy a meal or coffee for a veteran, service member or military family
• Donate to a charity that supports service members, veterans or military families
• Support veteran- or military-family-owned businesses
• Volunteer with an organization that supports service members, veterans or military families
• Attend celebrations in your community that honor service members, veterans, and families of service members

Learn more about Veterans Among US

Visit the VAUS ERG webpage to learn more about the mission of our newest ERG. We will also be sharing a profile of VAUS in a coming issue of Link. For more info about VAUS, or to join, contact Mark Romo or Martha Naber.

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