Military Family Appreciation Month

During Military Family Appreciation Month, DoDEA renews its commitment to the families and communities we are proud to serve. Our schools benefit from the contributions of military family members as teachers, support staff and volunteers.

Military Family Appreciation Month was established in 1993 by the Armed Services YMCA, with the U.S. Government recognizing the occasion every year since. Each year the President signs a proclamation declaring November Military Family Month. This annual proclamation marks the beginning of a month-long celebration of the Military Family in which the Department of Defense and the nation will honor the commitment and sacrifices made by the families of the nation's service members.

November is a time, by tradition, for family celebrations. It is also a month that we set aside time to honor the military family - a time to recognize their sacrifices and celebrate their successes. During Military Family Month, we thank military families for the tremendous contribution they make in support of our service members, the military mission and the nation. Military life imposes unique demands on them, and during these difficult times, they have exhibited exceptional sacrifice, resiliency and courage.

Families provide our Servicemembers with invaluable encouragement and love, and manage the home front while their loved ones are deployed. As we approach the winter holiday season when families across the world come together, we pay special tribute to our deployed forces and their families, who are separated this holiday season. The dedication and strength of military families during a sustained high operational tempo, increased deployment and long separations is an inspiration to us all. The nation understands that families also serve, and is honored to pay tribute to them.

In DoDEA, every month is the month of the Military Family. It is our vision to be among the world's leaders in education, enriching the lives of military-connected students and the communities in which they live. Military children are at the heart of their families and the focus of all we do at DoDEA. Every one of those children deserves a great teacher, every school deserves a great Principal, and every school must be high-performing.