Dear Organizers of NMAM, 
 
Attached is the substance of our meeting to plan for the support of NMAM 
in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Let us know how you think we can do it better. 
 
MG (ret) Frank J. Schober Jr. 
 
 
 
ACTION PAPER 
 
Subject: Supporting National Military Appreciation Month in Santa Fe, 
New Mexico 
 
Fact: Organizers for America's National Military Appreciation Month 
(NMAM), to be held in May and June of this year (2003), are asking all 
of us in the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave to show 
appreciation for our military (Active, Reserve, National Guard, Former 
and Retired) by promoting programs and observances during that period 
that will honor their service. The brilliantly successful conclusion of 
the military phase of Operation Iraqi Freedom makes a celebration of 
victory and a commemoration for the heroes who made our victory possible 
all the more appropriate. 
 
Fact: National Military Appreciation Month has official sanction. In 
1999, a resolution was passed by Congress proclaiming May as National 
Military Appreciation Month. The resolution calls upon all Americans 
to remember those who gave their lives in defense of freedom and honors 
the men and women of all of our Armed Services who have served and are 
now serving our Country. This year following the display of valor, 
bravery and fortitude by our Nation's military forces, National Military 
Appreciation Month has a special meaning for us all.  
 
Fact:  The months of May and June were selected for this display of 
patriotism because of the large number of military anniversaries and 
special days that occur during that time. During the month of May, we 
celebrate VE (WWII Victory in Europe Day), Military Spouse Day, Loyalty 
Day, Armed Forces Day/Week, National Day of Prayer, Memorial Day, Navy 
Day and for June Army Day and Flag Day. 
 
Fact:  Even though there are many patriots living in Santa Fe City and 
County and many who have proudly worn their Country's uniform in the 
several Armed Services of our Country in its wars for freedom in this 
and the last century, Santa Fe has become known in the State and Nation 
as a haven for anti-military demonstrations. It is time, many of us 
that live here and are members of patriotic and veteran's organizations 
feel, to demonstrate our love and support for our Country in a tangible 
and visible way. 
 
Fact:  In the unity of our patriotic and veteran's organizations 
there is strength. We need to mutually support each of our respective 
efforts…to name a few, the essay contests, Boy's State, Youth Leadership 
Conferences, Patriotism education. We need to support each other, work 
with each other more than ever before in the conduct of all of our 
national days of patriotic commemoration---Memorial Day, Veteran's Day, 
Flag Day and now National Military Appreciation Month. 
 
Fact:  Santa Fe and the State of New Mexico have both the obligation and 
honor to specially commemorate the service of our most recent 
veterans---those of Operation Iraqi Freedom. We should identify them, 
find them and if at all possible bring them to Santa Fe for Flag Day, 
2003 to be the focal point of our celebrations on that day. 
 
How can we best celebrate and commemorate Military Appreciation Month in 
Santa Fe? 
 
1. Show we care as individuals. 
 
a. Speak up. Talk to civic, professional and business groups about 
NMAM. Talk up the program to our friends and neighbors. 
b. Wear the flag. 
c. Fly the flag. 
d. Tie yellow ribbons all around town. 
e. Display patriotic bumper stickers on our automobiles. 
f. Write letters to the editors of the Journal and the New Mexican. 
(Don't let the anti-American crowd hog all the space.) 
 
2. Act like we care as groups: 
 
a. Get your organization fully behind National Military Appreciation 
Month. 
b. Send support and e-mail letters to our troops at home and abroad. 
c. Send care packages to our troops at home and abroad. 
d. Support programs like the Legacy and State Oral History programs. 
e. Monetarily support the purchase of bumper stickers, yellow ribbons. 
f. Monetarily support the cost of display ads in our local newspapers 
(Journal, New Mexican, Reporter) to make what we are doing known: 
(1) National Military Appreciation Month 
(2) Urging citizens to tie yellow ribbons and to fly the Flag from 1 May 
through Flag Day on the 14th of Jun. 
(3) Asking for prayers and support for the families of those who have 
lost loved ones in Operation Iraqi Freedom. 
(4) Urging all citizens to plan to support our troops at Ft. Marcy Park 
on the 14th of June. 
 
3. What else do we need to do? 
 
a. New releases to print and electronic media 
b. Proclamation drafts with support from our memberships at City County, 
Board of County Commissioners, and Governor. 
c. Letters of support to the Governor of New Mexico 

Plan the Flag Day Commemoration as a group. Appoint members of each of 
our groups to form a working committee to make Flag Day a great 
success…meaning we will get all of the state and city officials there, 
our Congressional Delegation, as many of New Mexico's returned heroes as 
we can…with messages from those who cannot attend. (We should strive 
for the attendance of PFC Hudson of Alamogordo to be our guest of honor 
on the 14th of June.