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Military Appreciation Month

Honoring Those Who Serve: Delaware State University Celebrates National Military Appreciation Month

Senator John McCain, a decorated war hero, believed it truly mattered that the nation takes the opportunity to publicly show our appreciation to our troops and acknowledge their service and sacrifices. That’s why in 1999, he proposed a bill that would receive unanimous support from Congress and would later come to be known as National Military Appreciation Month.

At Delaware State University, we share this belief—that It All Matters—especially when it comes to honoring military service and sacrifice. This month-long observance allows us to collectively recognize the profound contributions made by service members and their families to our nation’s freedom and security. Military Appreciation Month plays a crucial role in fostering awareness and understanding of the challenges faced by the military community while providing a platform for education and dialogue about the experiences of service members, veterans, and their families.

Why Military Appreciation Matters at DSU

Delaware State University’s commitment to military-affiliated students goes beyond symbolic recognition—it’s a year-round effort rooted in respect, service, and inclusion. As we celebrate Military Appreciation Month, we take a moment to uplift the stories, strengths, and sacrifices of those connected to our armed forces.

Service members bring a wealth of experience to our campus—global perspectives, discipline, leadership, and a deep sense of purpose. Their presence enriches classroom discussions and enhances our institutional values of integrity, resilience, and excellence.

Our dedication to military-affiliated students and personnel hasn’t gone unnoticed. We’re proud to announce our recent designation as a Military Friendly University for 2025/26—a testament to our unwavering support for service members, veterans, and their families.

Celebrating Through Events and Initiatives

A Successful Pass & Review Ceremony

We recently held our special Pass & Review Ceremony honoring our graduating military-affiliated students. In keeping with time-honored military tradition, this formal ceremony showcased our graduates as they received their military cords, marking both their academic achievements and their service commitment.

This ceremony served as Delaware State University’s official lead-in to National Military Appreciation Month and embodied our ongoing dedication to supporting those who serve.

Upcoming Graduate Commencement Address

As part of our continued celebration of military service and leadership, we are honored to welcome Major General James Benson, Adjutant General of the Delaware National Guard, as the keynote speaker for our Graduate Students’ Commencement Ceremony on May 9th in the Dr. William B. DeLauder Education & Humanities Theatre. As the first African American to lead the Delaware National Guard, Major General Benson exemplifies the exceptional leadership and dedication we celebrate during Military Appreciation Month.

Their Stories: Honoring Service, Sacrifice, and Spirit

Throughout May, we’ll continue our “Their Stories” initiative, celebrating the diverse experiences and contributions of our military-connected community. From veteran faculty and staff who shape young minds to student veterans pursuing their dreams, and the family members who supported their service—each story represents the strength and resilience of our DSU family.

These personal journeys provide a platform for sharing triumphs and challenges—both during and after military service. From stories of courage during deployment to the challenges of transitioning to civilian life, each narrative contributes to a deeper understanding of what it means to serve.

Military Mondays: Simple Gestures of Appreciation

As part of our Military Appreciation Month celebrations, we’re introducing “Military Mondays,” a simple yet meaningful way for our campus community to show support for our military-affiliated members each week in May. Rather than structured events, Military Mondays will focus on gestures of appreciation that everyone can participate in:

  • Monday Morning Coffee Connections: We’re planning casual coffee gatherings where military and non-military members of our campus community can connect in an informal setting. These fellowship opportunities allow for meaningful conversation and relationship building while enjoying complimentary coffee. Stay tuned for announcements about locations and times as we finalize these arrangements.
  • Notes of Gratitude: Faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to write personal notes of appreciation to military-affiliated members of our DSU community. These handwritten messages will be featured in our campus eNews and memorialized on the DSU Military/Veterans website. Express your thanks in your own words, because sometimes the simplest gestures make the biggest impact.
  • Wear Blue for the Military: Show your support visually by wearing blue on Mondays throughout May. Blue represents loyalty and is recognized across military branches. This visible show of solidarity creates awareness and demonstrates our collective appreciation.
  • Share Your Connection: We invite everyone with a military connection to share a photo or brief story about their service or a family member who served. These will be compiled and featured on our social media channels each Monday with the hashtag #DSUMilitaryMonday.

Military Mondays don’t require elaborate planning, just genuine appreciation expressed in accessible ways. Every gesture, no matter how small, helps create a culture that truly values and recognizes military service.

Other Ways You Can Participate in Making Appreciation Meaningful

Military appreciation isn’t just about recognition, it’s about action. Here are meaningful ways to show your support during National Military Appreciation Month:

  • RED Fridays: Remember Everyone Deployed: We invite the entire DSU community to continue wearing RED on Fridays throughout May and beyond. This simple yet powerful gesture serves as a visible reminder of those serving our country far from home. The RED Friday tradition stands for “Remember Everyone Deployed” and has become a nationwide symbol of support for active-duty military personnel. By wearing red, you show deployed service members and their families that they are not forgotten.
  • Connect & Learn
    • Engage with military community members to hear their stories
    • Attend upcoming military appreciation events across the campus and our community
  • Display and Post
    • Display appreciation symbols like American flags or yellow ribbons
    • Share supportive messages on social media with #DSUMilitaryAppreciation
  • Give Back
    • Volunteer with veteran-serving organizations
    • Create care packages for deployed service members

A Year-Round Commitment

While May gives us a dedicated opportunity to express our gratitude, DSU’s commitment to our military community extends throughout the year. We continue building programs and pathways that honor service and support success through our satellite location at Dover Air Force Base and our campus Veterans Affairs office.

So, Join Us this Military Appreciation Month as we honor their past sacrifices, support their present needs, and invest in their future success. Because at Delaware State University, we don’t just appreciate military service, we champion those who serve.

With gratitude, we thank you for your support!

Ms. Lolita Treadwell, Proud Veteran
Director of DAFB Site for DSU

Mr. Devon Wilson, Proud Veteran
Director of Veteran Affairs for DSU