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Military Spouse Appreciation Day: Discounts & More

military spouse appreciation day discounts

Military Spouse Appreciation Day: History, Discounts & More!

Military Spouse Appreciation Day is Friday, May 12th, 2023.  This day recognizes the countless sacrifices and contributions made by military spouses.  Here we look at the history of Military Spouse Appreciation Day and feature some great discounts for military spouses.  Because what better way for spouses to celebrate than to save some money using a great military discount? Here are some amazing military spouse appreciation day discounts.

>> To jump straight to the list of discounts for Military Spouse Appreciation Day, please go here.

A Day to Celebrate Military Spouses 

May is National Military Appreciation Month. During this month military communities celebrate or acknowledge

  • Armed Forces Day
  • Loyalty Day
  • Public Service Recognition Week
  • VE Day
  • Memorial Day
  • Military Spouse Appreciation Day

What is the History of Military Spouse Appreciation Day?

President Ronald Reagan established Military Spouse Appreciation Day, May 23rd, 1984.  This day recognizes the countless sacrifices and contributions made by military spouses since the days of the Continental Army. It’s a time to say thank you to those supporting our military, and making those sacrifices day in and day out. 

Congress made Military Spouse Appreciation Day a part of National Military Appreciation Month to recognize military spouses and the sacrifices they make in 1999. Military Spouse Appreciation Day is celebrated the Friday before Mother’s Day in May. This year, the day will be Friday, May 12th, 2023. 

How do people celebrate Military Spouse Appreciation Day?

During the month of May, you might find different events going on near or at your duty station. Some installations might have a week of events going on to celebrate military spouses. Some businesses and companies might also be offering special events and discounts. 

There are also many military spouse benefits to keep an eye out for. Benefits such as MWR, license transfer help, military spouse tax benefits, MYCAA, and scholarships just for military spouses can help military spouses in different parts of their life, from employment issues to help with the children.

What are some of the struggles and sacrifices military spouses have to make? 

While military life can allow you to live in some amazing places such as Germany or Hawaii, can allow you to meet some amazing people, and teach you things you can carry with you for the rest of your life, there are also many struggles and sacrifices along the way. One of the biggest ones is employment. 

Employment struggles affect so many military spouses. From being unable to find the right job to having to quit a job they love to move to the next duty station. Being unable to find good child care, or not being able to use a degree you worked hard on are other roadblocks in a military spouse’s career path.

Even when working for yourself, rules on home-based businesses on military installations, and SOFA laws while OCONUS, can make keeping a business pretty difficult.

Luckily, there are companies and organizations that can help with some of the employment issues military spouses have. Blue Star Families, Hiring Our Heroes, and Instant Teams are great places to start. For military spouse entrepreneurs, AMSE (Association of Military Spouse Entrepreneurs) and MSCC (United States Military Chamber of Commerce) are worth looking at. 

What is so amazing about the military spouse community?

Military spouses are strong and resilient. Resilient means, “to be able to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions.” And that is exactly what military spouses are able to do. They have to consistently take lemons and turn them into lemonade, and sometimes that is a lot harder to do than one would think. 

Spouses stand by their service members through deployments, military moves, disappointments, and new adventures. They figure out how to travel home with three kids alone, just to spend some time with family.

Many military spouses didn’t know what they were getting into when they married their service member and became a military spouse. Having a Military Spouse Appreciation Day is a wonderful way to give back to this community and let them know how much they really are appreciated. 

List of Discounts for Military Spouse Appreciation Day

What better way to celebrate than to save some money using a great military discount. Here are some amazing military spouse appreciation day discounts:

>> Never miss a military deal or discount!  Stay up-to-date with the MyMilitaryBenefits Discount Newsletter.  Start saving now!  Go here.

Online Only Military Discounts

Buckle

Buckle sells women’s, men’s, and kid’s apparel. They offer a 10% off discount at Buckle.com on your entire purchase, regular, and sale items. The discount is for active duty, veterans, including national guard and reserves, their spouses, and dependents. You must complete a one-time verification by selecting the “military discount” link on the shopping bag page. You will be verified through SheerID.

Columbia Sportswear

Columbia Sportswear is an American company that sells outerwear, sportswear, and footwear as well as other outdoor apparel and accessories. They offer a 10% military discount on all orders. This discount is available to military members, veterans, and family members that are verified with ID.me.

Lady Foot Locker

Lady Foot Locker sells shoes and other accessories. They offer 10% off most purchases for their military discount.

The following members of the military community are eligible:

  • Active duty
  • Veterans
  • National Guard
  • Reservists
  • Registered dependents of active duty or retired service members

You would need to be verified through SheerID. When you are checking out, please make sure to follow the military discount link. It is likely that you will be asked to upload documents. They will try to verify you as soon as possible.  Lady Foot Locker will then contact you to apply the discount or provide the refund.

Roxy

Roxy is a woman’s clothing store and they offer a 15% military discount for online purchases only. Exclusions do apply, such as for GoPros. Active duty, reserves, national guard, veterans, retirees, and their spouse or dependents qualify. You would need to be verified with SheerID.

New Balance

New Balance sells shoes and other accessories. They have a 10% military discount with ID.me. You will then be given a code to use when checking out. 

Sword & Plough

Sword & Plough sells jewelry, bags, and more and offers 20% off all orders for their military discount. They offer the discount to US active duty, national guard, reserves, veterans, retirees, spouses, and Gold Star families. You would need to be verified online either automatically or manually.

Thrive Market

Thrive Market offers healthy, organic, and non-GMO foods and products. For veterans, they offer:

  • Free membership (a value of $60)
  • Free shipping
  • 25-50% off retail prices
  • Huge discount on your first order

Online and In-Store Military Discounts

Lululemon

Lululemon is a Canadian athletic apparel retailer. They offer a 15% discount for military members and military spouses in the United States. You can also use the discount on products that have markdowns. You would need to have a valid military ID. The discount is for in-store and online and you will be verified using Sheer ID.  For more info, please visit our Lululemon military discount page.

Belk

Their military discount depends on each store, so make sure to ask at your local store! 

Belk is an American department store that offers apparel, shoes, accessories, cosmetics, home furnishings, and more. They offer a military discount on Tuesdays, at Belk stores and Belk.com. The discount is for active military and veterans. They offer 20% off, with 15% off for home and shoes.

Yankee Candle

Yankee Candles sell amazing smelling candles and other accessories. They will give you 10% off of every purchase for their military discount. You can also combine the military discount with other coupons and discounts. This discount is for active duty, retirees, and their families. You can use the discount at their retail stores, outlet stores, and online. You must show your military ID, or email or fax a copy of your orders if ordering online.

Michaels

Michaels is an arts and crafts store and they offer 15% off your entire purchase for their military discount. This is valid both in-store and online and you would need to sign up with Michaels Rewards. 

In-Store Military Discounts

Kohl’s

Kohl’s is an American retail department store with clothing, housewares, and home decor. They have a military discount, 15% off on Mondays. The discount is for current and former members of the military as well as their families. You will need to show your military ID when paying for your items.

Old Navy, The Gap, and Banana Republic

Old Navy, the Gap, and Banana Republic are all clothing stores offering items to men, women, and children. They do offer a 10% military discount at many of their locations. Some offer the discount every day, and others on a weekly or monthly basis. You just need to show your military ID when you are purchasing your clothes.

Tiffany & Co.

Tiffany & Co. is a jewelry company. They offer a 10% military discount on engagement rings and wedding bands. This discount is for active duty, reservists, and veterans. Fiancé, domestic partners, wives, and husbands are eligible for this discount. They are eligible even if their service member partner is overseas and can’t come into the store. Valid in the US only.

24-Hour Fitness

24-Hour Fitness is a fitness gym that offers a military special. You pay $0 for initiation and then will receive $5 off your monthly dues. This discount is for active duty and reservist military. You would just need to show your ID.

Massage Envy

Massage Envy offers massage and skincare. All active duty military personnel can join at a savings each year. This is valid at participating locations.

Other Military Spouse Appreciation Day Discounts

In addition to these discounts, you can always politely ask any store you visit if they do. Sometimes the discounts are based on locations and other times they are company-wide. You should be able to find a few discounts on this Military Spouse Appreciation Day and all during May.

 

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Never miss a military deal or discount!  Stay up-to-date with the MyMilitaryBenefits Discount Newsletter.  Start saving now!  Go here.

 

 

About the author

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Julie Provost is a freelance writer, and blogger. She lives in Tennessee with her National Guard husband and three boys.