May is Military Appreciation Month. To help raise awareness about these issues, Blue Star Families and Operation Gratitude are joining forces to impact thousands of military families in a tangible way in May. We believe, together, that we can achieve a greater impact in the communities where we share ties to military families and volunteers of all ages from every walk of life.

Operation Gratitude and Blue Star Families volunteers got together to pack boxes for the troops.

Operation Gratitude and Blue Star Families volunteers got together to pack boxes for the troops.

We are asking you, our Veteran community, to support this nationwide campaign in three actionable ways, and all three can be done from the comfort of your home:

  • Give back, pay it forward, and write a handwritten letter of appreciation. Operation Gratitude will include your cards and letters in care packages we send to deployed troops, and hand-deliver to military families in partnership with Blue Star Families in the coming weeks.
  • Connect, find support, and build enduring relationships via Blue Star Families’ caregiver program. Active-duty and Veteran caregivers are encouraged to visit Blue Star Families’ online resource center to access caregiver toolkits and register to attend virtual Coffee Connect events and Caregiver Cohort workshops.
  • Be a voice for change. Take the 12th annual Military Family Lifestyle Survey and share your experiences and stories so we can continue to assess the needs of Veterans, active-duty service members, and their families. Take the Survey today.

Your support is critical and the time is now to take action, as evidenced in many of the findings outlined in the Blue Star Families’ 2020 Military Family Lifestyle Survey.

During this symbolic month of May, and in response to current times, it’s our mission to do everything possible to give military families and Veterans the support, information, tools and, most importantly, a place to belong as we wade through unchartered territory, together. When we as a nation serve those who serve, we can create vibrant communities of mutual support. We’re all stronger when we take care of one another.

If you are interested in learning more about Blue Star Families and Operation Gratitude’s partnership efforts with Starbucks, click here for more info.

The sharing of any non-VA information does not constitute an endorsement of products and services on the part of VA.


Kathy Roth-Douquet writes for Blue Star Families and Kevin Schmiegel for Operation Gratitude.

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6 Comments

  1. Ryan May 9, 2021 at 03:04

    Excited to support Operation Gratitude during Military Appreciation month. Thank you for your service!

  2. CSM (ret.) Ragusa May 7, 2021 at 00:21

    Tried to take the survey, all I could do was purchase a Starbucks gift card. Please check your site.

  3. Janet May 6, 2021 at 19:41

    I am a Navy Veteran but I am a nobody. I am misunderstood by my family and have only 2 friends. My husband left me because I chose to raise my grandson. he is now 17 and hates me. I pray for our military every night. I help who I can. I was fired from my job because they lied and said I used very vulgar language. They just did not like me because I worked. I am in God’s Graces and he takes care of me. I worry about the military over there and hope they are all safe.

    • Luisa Rosado Vega May 11, 2021 at 18:05

      You are not alone GOD is always with you. I really know how you feel because 2 of my kids and some of the family I suppose to have did the same. But praying and helping others had been my strength to keep going. Be strong have faith and help others because if you look over your shoulder will see other person in a worse situation.

  4. SW May 6, 2021 at 12:02

    Great trick to get people to buy a starbucks gift card. Where’s the survey?

  5. Gary Sporer May 5, 2021 at 22:29

    12th Annual Lifestyle Link went to Starbucks.

Comments are closed.

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