From the NFRW Armed Services Committee

By Becky Bechtel, Indiana

On any given day, thousands of United States Armed Services personnel are being deployed around the world. 

National Day of the Deployed was first observed in 2006, when North Dakota announced a proclamation for the day.  Shelle Michaeles Aberle petitioned Governor John Hoeven with the idea.  Shelle’s cousin, LTC David Hosna, had been deployed to Iraq, and October 26 was his birthday. By 2012, all 50 states followed in observance as a day to honor all service members who have been deployed in support of our country.  

There are many ways to honor those who are currently deployed. In Indianapolis, the Hillcrest Guardian Angels send handmade stockings of candy and other items to deployed troops from the Indiana National Guard at Christmastime.  All deployed soldiers love to receive mail and packages. USO, Operation Gratitude, A Million Thanks, and Soldiers’ Angels are just a few organizations that send letters or packages to soldiers. Another way to honor all soldiers who are or have been deployed is to post to social media on October 26 and utilize the hashtag #DayOfTheDeployed.

God bless our brave men and women as they serve the United States of America!