Mishall RehmanThousands of spouses, children, parents and siblings play an invaluable role as the strength behind the military uniform. To recognize the contributions and sacrifices made by military families every third Friday in September is known to Canadians as Military Family Appreciation Day.
This year, the six-annual Military Family Appreciation Day falls on Sept. 20th. The day is nationally recognized and was established in 2019 to raise awareness about the challenges and sacrifices of military families and families that support both Veterans and current Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members.
“Military Family Appreciation Day was established to celebrate, acknowledge, and honour the unwavering support of those who stand beside our service members.
“We know that freedom isn’t free, and this day is a moment to acknowledge the essential role military families make in defending our country, even without the uniform,” said Rick Seymour, CEO, Together We Stand in a statement.
Invaluable Sacrifices
Canadian military families are subject to a number of challenges that many Canadians never have to face. These sacrifices and challenges include relocation, leaving behind families, quitting careers, separation from their military loved one and many more. Military families, furthermore, are subject to challenges such as accessing adequate housing, career opportunities, and essential services such as doctors and mental health services following relocation.
These challenges are further exaggerated due to inflation increase that the general population faces, which includes the rising cost of living and housing shortages.
However, many organizations, foundations and government agencies are working to alleviate these challenges.
A Step in the Right Direction
A number of programs have been launched over the years to support military families. Aside from the 32 Military Family Resource Centres across the countries, other initiatives include:
- Seamless Canada- an initiative that brings provinces and territories to the table to simplify the relocation process.
- Military Family Services initiatives such as their expanded employment, training and education programs; and
- Personnel Support Programs’ Hero in Training initiative that supports children during relocations through workshops and team-building exercises.
Additionally, foundations such as the Together We Stand Foundation work to address the needs of military families.
A Unanimously Passed Proposition
In 2019, the not-for-profit Tother We Stand embarked on a mission to ensure Canadian military families were recognized and appreciated nationwide. The organization brought a motion to the House of Commons that was passed unanimously. The motion forever established the third September in Canada as Military Family Appreciation Day.
Together We Stand Foundation was specifically created to “recognize, thank, and pay tribute to patriotic Canadian military families.” The Foundation notes it understands deployments, frequent moves, isolation, separation, and fearing for a loved one are a daily part of life for military families.
“Canadian military families are the silent strength beside serving members, enduring immense challenges and making sacrifices that often go unnoticed.
“For military families, the simple activities of civilian life, like finding childcare, taking your child to a doctor, or buying an affordable home, can be incredibly difficult. Military Family Appreciation Day is an opportunity to recognize and thank families for the burden they shoulder to keep Canadians safe,” said Eleanor Millar, working military mother and Military Family Advisory Committee Vice-Chair at Together We Stand.
This Military Family Appreciation Day, Together We Stand is encouraging Canadians to express their support via social media using the hashtag #MFAD.
To learn more, click here.
