Military Appreciation Month 2026: Honoring U.S. Veterans With Mesothelioma

May is Military Appreciation Month, a time to celebrate anyone who has served in the U.S. Armed Forces. This year, consider taking time to honor U.S. veterans with mesothelioma, a rare cancer caused by asbestos exposure. Learn how to offer support.

What Is Military Appreciation Month?

Military Appreciation Month takes place every May and is marked by nationwide celebrations for U.S. veterans and those currently serving .

Capped by Memorial Day, which is celebrated on the last Monday in May, Military Appreciation Month helps us honor the sacrifices of those who served.

Military personnel risk their lives to defend America and her freedoms. After returning home, many U.S. veterans also have to deal with health issues stemming from their service, including cancers such as mesothelioma.

There are so many ways to take part in Military Appreciation Month 2026, from going to local military-themed events or simply thanking a U.S. veteran for their service.

For U.S. veterans facing mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases, we’re here to help. Get a Free Veterans Packet to explore military benefits, treatments, and compensation options to make a cancer diagnosis easier to bear.

Honoring Veterans Facing Mesothelioma

While Military Appreciation Month is a time to celebrate anyone involved with the Armed Forces, consider how you can honor U.S. veterans with mesothelioma and other rare health conditions.

Mesothelioma affects U.S. veterans at higher rates. This is because asbestos, the only known cause of this cancer, was used by the military from the 1930s to the early 1980s. In fact, one in three mesothelioma patients today is a U.S. veteran.

Members of all branches are at risk of mesothelioma, including:

U.S. veterans didn't know they were at risk. Private companies that made and sold asbestos-containing products hid the dangers from the military for decades.

“I never thought I would be affected by something like mesothelioma. It never occurred to me that I even was exposed until I was diagnosed.”

– Alan Bonnin, U.S. Army veteran with mesothelioma

How to Celebrate Military Appreciation Month 2026

There are plenty of ways to get involved during Military Appreciation Month, such as making donations to organizations that support U.S. veterans, attending events honoring service members, or even just thanking those who served.

Find specific ways to can get involved throughout the month below.

Showing Support to U.s. Veterans and Service Members

Expressing your gratitude to those who have served or are currently serving is a simple gesture that goes a long way.

Ways to support service members and U.S. veterans include:

Offering promotions: If you own a business, consider giving special deals to military personnel and veterans.
Spending time with those who served: Set aside time to thank a U.S. veteran or service member in your life. If you can’t be together in person, a phone call or video chat is a great way to connect.
Writing letters or sending care packages: Partner with organizations like A Million Thanks or Operation Gratitude to send encouraging words and supplies to deployed troops.

Showing support helps veterans, service members, and their families feel appreciated and remembered.

Participating in Military Events

Many local and national events are taking place to celebrate Military Appreciation Month, particularly around Memorial Day.

See if you can participate in events like:

Community service projects: Helping build homes, cleaning graves, or creating care packages, are just a few ways to help service members and military families.
Military appreciation nights: Sports teams, schools, and businesses may host special nights recognizing service members and U.S. veterans.
Parades: Many communities host Memorial Day parades around the last weekend in May and throughout the month.
Veteran panels or ceremonies: Find out if there are local talks or events where veterans will share their stories of service.

If you’re looking to get even more involved, consider organizing an event of your own with help from those in your community.

Support Military Charities and Veterans Organizations

Contribute to groups that provide critical services to military personnel, veterans, and their families.

Ways to support U.S. veterans and service members include:

Donate: Support reputable nonprofits like the Wounded Warrior Project, Fisher House Foundation, and Operation Homefront.
Fundraise: Host a fundraiser such as a walkathon, charity auction, or online campaign to generate awareness and money.
Sponsor a military family: Programs exist to "adopt" or sponsor a military family in need, especially those with deployed service members.

You can also support organizations related to mesothelioma if a veteran in your life has this cancer. These include the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation and the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization.

Saluting Veterans With Mesothelioma and All Who Served

Military Appreciation Month helps us to never take for granted the sacrifices that service members and veterans made for our country.

At the Mesothelioma Veterans Center, we work to honor all who served, particularly U.S. veterans with mesothelioma. Each year, thousands of veterans and their families must deal with the stress of a mesothelioma diagnosis.

Our team can help U.S. veterans with mesothelioma:

Access or increase VA benefits
Find top doctors and treatments
Pursue compensation and justice

Get a Free Veterans Packet or call (877) 450-8973 to see how we can help veterans like you. And, on behalf of everyone who has served our country, thank you for protecting America and all she stands for.