Military Appreciation Month deals, discounts for museums, more
May is a special month to recognize our military members and their dedication to serving in the United States Armed Forces.
It is National Military Appreciation Month and an opportunity for all to express their gratitude to them and their families for all they do.
This month, several dates recognize the military's contributions. May 10 is Military Spouse Appreciation Day, Saturday, May 18 is Armed Forces Day, and Monday, May 27, is Memorial Day, which honors all men and women who have died in military service for the United States.
Here is some information about events and common questions regarding this month.
What is Armed Forces Day?
Armed Forces Day is a special holiday to honor all service members from every branch of the U.S. military.
First conceived by President Harry S. Truman, Armed Forces Day was established in 1949. The creation of a single-day celebration for all five branches of the United States military made sense because of its unification under the Department of Defense. Today, Armed Forces Day is celebrated on the third Saturday of every May, this year on May 18.
Armed Forces Day Community Ball
The El Paso Chamber of Commerce, along with Fort Bliss, will have its annual Armed Forces Day Community Ball on Armed Forces Day from 6 to 11 p.m. Saturday, May 18, at the El Paso convention center. The event will be attended by active-duty military, veterans, and community members to celebrate the unique cultures of Fort Bliss and El Paso.
The attire is formal. Military will wear their uniforms. Registration is closed. Information: 915-534-0500.
Free admission to New Mexico museums for military in May
Active-duty military personnel and their families will receive free admission to any of the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs eight museums and seven historic sites this summer as part of the Blue Star Museums Program.
The free admission applies to National Guard and Reserve and their families as well, beginning on Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 18 through Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 2. The free admission extends to up to five family members. Qualified members must show a valid military ID.
The eight NMDCA museums offering free admission include Museum of International Folk Art (Santa Fe), Museum of Indian Arts & Culture (Santa Fe), National Hispanic Cultural Center (Albuquerque), New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science (Albuquerque), New Mexico History Museum (Santa Fe), New Mexico Museum of Space History (Alamogordo), New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum (Las Cruces), and New Mexico Museum of Art – Plaza Building and Vladem Contemporary (Santa Fe).
The seven NMDCA historic sites offering free admission include Bosque Redondo Memorial at Fort Sumner Historic Site (Fort Sumner), Coronado Historic Site (Bernalillo), Jemez Historic Site (Jemez Springs), Fort Stanton Historic Site (Capitan/Fort Stanton), Lincoln Historic Site (Lincoln), Fort Selden Historic Site (Radium Springs), and Los Luceros Historic Site (Alcalde).
For more information about Blue Star Museums, including a map of participating museums, visit www.arts.gov/initiatives/blue-star-museums.
Academy Sports + Outdoors offers discount
Academy Sports + Outdoors will offer active-duty military and veterans 10% off their entire purchase online or in-store through Saturday, July 6.
Rack Room Shoes
Rack Room Shoes will offer a 20% discount off the entire purchase in stores on Memorial Day to anyone with a military ID.
Walgreens
Walgreens offers veterans, service members and their families 20% off eligible regular-price items with myWalgreens in-store only from Friday, May 24, through Monday, May 27.
Source: military.com
More: Clinic in New Mexico offers free abortion pill to active-duty military on Armed Forces Day
María Cortés González may be reached at 915-546-6150; mcortes@elpasotimes.com, @EPTMaria on Twitter; eptmariacg on TikTok
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Military Appreciation Month 2024 deals, discounts for museums, more
