National Day of the Deployed

The National Day of the Deployed, observed every year on October 26, is a special time set aside to honour the men and women of the U.S. armed forces who are actively deployed overseas, as well as the families who stand behind them at home. It’s a day of gratitude, reflection and awareness — a chance to recognise the invisible ties that bind service members to their loved ones, and the sacrifices that come with being away while others carry on.

History of National Day of the Deployed

The idea for this observance began in 2006 when Shelle Michaels Aberle, inspired by her cousin who was deployed, asked the Governor of North Dakota to proclaim a day recognising deployed troops. The governor agreed, and October 26 — the cousin’s birthday — was chosen for the annual observance.
Over the following years the recognition spread from the state level to nationwide: by 2011, a resolution in the U.S. Senate formally acknowledged the day, and today all 50 states mark it in some fashion.

Why is National Day of the Deployed important?

This day matters because deployment isn’t just a job — it’s an upheaval of lives. Service members leave behind routines, comforts and loved ones; families stay home and carry the weight of absence. National Day of the Deployed invites us to look beyond the uniform and the mission, to the human story of separation, resilience and service.
It also bridges civilian and military life. For many people a deployed service member is someone they may never see, but their work and absence ripple through communities. Observing this day encourages all of us to consider how freedom, security and service are sustained by individuals living far from home.

• It honours those currently serving in foreign deployments and the challenges they face
• It acknowledges the families enduring long separations, uncertainty and stress
• It raises awareness of the emotional, physical and logistical burdens of deployment
• It reminds us that service isn’t just what happens on the battlefield but what happens in everyday homes and communities
• It brings civilian life closer to the military experience through empathy, recognition and support

How to Observe National Day of the Deployed

Observing this day can be thoughtful and simple. You might write a note, send a message or reach out to an organisation that supports deployed troops and their families — small gestures matter. You could also take a moment to learn about the realities of deployment: the stress of being away, the resilience of families at home, and the unseen work that supports service members.
Community‑oriented actions also make a difference. Maybe you volunteer with a local veterans’ group, offer practical support to military families nearby, or ask your workplace or school to acknowledge the day and share it. Taking time to reflect, speak or act brings meaning to this observance.

• Send a heartfelt message or card to someone you know who is deployed or a family impacted by deployment
• Volunteer with or donate to organisations supporting deployed service members and military families
• Reach out to a local military family and ask what support they might appreciate
• Share a post on social media using the hashtag #DayOfTheDeployed to raise awareness
• Take a quiet moment to reflect on how we each benefit from the service of others and consider how we might support them in return

National Day of the Deployed Dates Table