JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. -- On November 5, 2008, then Secretary of Defense Robert F. Gates established November as Warrior Care Month. He said Warrior Care Month is a, "DoD wide effort aimed at increasing awareness of programs and resources available to wounded, ill, and injured service members, their families, and those who care about them." Secretary Gates charged DoD to "continue to make it easier for our troops and their families to take advantage of all the assistance now available to them."

In accordance with Secretary Gates', the Department of Defense and the military Services' will use November to highlight the programs, services, and resources available to wounded, ill, and injured Service members, their families and caregivers. This is achieved through events, outreach, and communications designed to celebrate and honor these Service members, and highlight their resilience, strength, and successes as they continue to face a multitude of challenges associated with recovery, transition, and remaining strong in the aftermath of war.

This year's theme for Warrior Care Month is "Show of Strength. #WarriorCare