October 26 is annually designated as National Day of the Deployed.
National Day of the Deployed honors all of the brave men and woman who have been deployed, are sacrificing, or have sacrificed their lives to defend our country.
The day also acknowledges their families who are separated from them during deployment and the sacrifices they make in order for their family members to serve our country.
Shelle Michaels Aberle founded National Day of the Deployed in 2006. Ms. Aberle approached then North Dakota Governor John Hoeven for support of a North Dakota Proclamation for the day. Governor Hoeven was the first gover
nor in the United States to recognize deployed troops in a formal proclamation.
October 26 was chosen by Aberle’s cousin, Bottineau, ND native LTC David Hosna who was deployed to Iraq from Kaiserslautern, Germany. October 26 is the date of Hosna’s birthday.
Grand Forks, North Dakota hosted the first event. The first units honored by this proclamation were: NDARNG 1-188th ADA SECFOR and JLENS deployed to Afghanistan.
2011 – Senator John Hoeven led the efforts and co-sponsored S.RES.295 for a national day of honor. On October 18, 2011, the resolution passed unanimously for the first national day honoring deployed troops and their families.
2012 – All 50 states observed National Day of the Deployed.