Honoring Our Veterans During Military Appreciation Month
Designated by Congress in 1999, Military Appreciation Month takes place every year during the month of May. Here at The Oaks at Zephyrhills, a family-owned and operated RV and mobile home senior community located in Zephyrhills, Florida, we think Military Appreciation Month is the perfect opportunity to express gratitude to active members of the U.S. military, veterans, and their families, for their service and sacrifice.
Although the entire month is designated to honoring our military heroes, there are several specific days of observance throughout May. These include Armed Forces Day, Loyalty Day, Victory in Europe (VE) Day commemorating the end of WWII in Europe in 1945, Military Spouse Appreciation Day, and Memorial Day.
Perhaps the most somber of the May military holidays, Memorial Day originated in the years following the Civil War. In the spring, American cities and towns began to hold tributes to fallen soldiers, decorating their graves with flowers in an act of remembrance. Until 1971, the holiday was actually known as Decoration Day. That year, the U.S. government’s Uniform Monday Holiday Act went into effect, which codified the name Memorial Day into law and made it an official federal holiday on the fourth Monday of May. On Memorial Day, Americans are called to remember and honor the men and women of the U.S. military who gave their lives in service, the ultimate sacrifice for our country.
However, some less somber traditions have developed over the years. When the holiday was moved to the end of May at the start of the 20th century, it began to become associated with summer activities. The Indianapolis 500 has been scheduled in conjunction with Memorial Day since 1911, and the three-day weekend has become known for its sales and parties. Today, the Memorial Day Weekend is commonly thought of as the “unofficial start of summer”
Still, many towns and cities across the country hold solemn Memorial Day observances and parades to honor fallen military members. Pasco County, Florida, is home to more than 54,000 military families, so there’s no surprise that you will find public and private ceremonies and events commemorating Memorial Day across the region.
Many military families live in the city of Zephyrhills, which has grown into Pasco County’s most populous city. As a suburb of Tampa Bay, Zephyrhills offers a reasonable cost of living to active military members and veterans alike and access to services with a local Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) outpatient clinic and military bases nearby. Zephyrhills is especially popular with military retirees.
The Oaks at Zephyrhills, located right off U.S. 301, is an affordable housing option for older veterans or retirees, offering RV lots, studios, one-bedroom units, or two-bedroom units to renters aged 55 and up. We like to think that Military Appreciation Month is every month at The Oaks at Zephyrhills!
The management team at The Oaks at Zephyrhills works closely with the VA and the Pasco County Housing Authority to make sure that military veterans have access to quality housing. The Oaks at Zephyrhills accepts government rental assistance, such as Section 8/Housing Choice Vouchers and HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) vouchers, to keep monthly costs affordable.
Friendly managers live on-site at The Oaks at Zephyrhills, and the neighbors look out for each other in this tight-knit community. Many popular amenities, including free Wi-Fi and a community pool, are available at The Oaks of Zephyrhills. Neighbors regularly come together at the property’s clubhouse to celebrate holidays and to commemorate occasions like Memorial Day.
If you are a veteran interested in the RV lifestyle and would like more information about available rentals at The Oaks at Zephyrhills, please contact Kong Management Group at (866) 499-9026 or info@kongmg.com today. At The Oaks at Zephyrhills, you can stay your way!
