National Hug A G.i. Day
National Hug a G.I. Day is the only day on the calendar that is not a military command.
To give your servicemen and women a hug, gather around your servicemen and women. It's simply a way to express your love. Be sure to thank both past and present G.I.s with either a pat on the back or a hearty handshake. Although G.I.s refer to Army troops, the day includes all those who have served in the military. So, too, adore those Jarheads, Wingnuts, Squids, and Coasties!
Today the word G.I. is used to describe those who serve in the Armed Forces of the United States of America's Armed Forces. How that came to be is a little less military protocol and more the American story.
G.I. seems to have been a notation used in supply records for galvanized iron at the turn of the twentieth century. It was later used for German artillery shells made from galvanized iron during World War I.
Soldiers began interpreting the initials as "Government Issue" or "General Issue" during the conflict. By the time World War II came around, it was beginning to gain importance as the generic enlisted man.
Sarcastic use among several servicemen was common, but many servicemen seemed to be just like every other Government Issued supply being mass-produced for Uncle Sam, not surprising.
About the time G.I. Joe was born, he was about the same age as he was born. In a Yank magazine on June 17, 1942, his creator, comic strip artist and former Army Sergeant David Breger, released his first G.I. Joe cartoon series.
When in 1944 President Franklin Roosevelt signed the bill that became known as the G.I. Bill, it became more prominent in American history; Servicemen's Readjustment Act.
And then there was no going back when Hasbro trademarked their G.I. Joe as an action figure in 1964.
How to celebrate #hugagiday
- Find a G.I. you know and give them a hug
- Is your G.I. too far away to give a hug? Send him or her a virtual one by text, e-mail, phone, or even snail mail
- Show your love for the military
- To post on social media, use the hashtag #HugAGIDay
A national hug a g.i. day tradition a g.i. day celebration a g.i. day
Adrienne Sioux Koopersmith created Hug A G.I. Day in 1996. She chose the only day on the calendar that was also a military deployment to honor the men and women who risk their lives for our country and freedoms. http://adriennesiouxkoopersmith.com/2013/02/hug-gi-day-1996-ask-style-celebrating.html
G.i FAQ
Q. What is the G.I. Bill?
A. The original G.I. Bill, which was introduced in 1999, is no longer in force. However, today's G.I. Bill provides scholarships to services members and veterans of college, university, trade school, or other training programs.
What branch of the military was David Breger's G.I. Joe?
Joe Trooper was a soldier in the United States Army and was a featured cartoon in Army magazine Yank, and he was a featured cartoon. However, when Mattel first began producing G.I. Joe action figures, they produced one for each branch of the military.
