Armed Forces Day was created in 1949 to honor Americans serving in the five branches of the United States military, the Marine Corps, Army, Air Force, Navy and Coast Guard. My husband is a disabled veteran so I will be doing something special for him today.
Harry S. Truman lead the effort to establish Armed Forces Day to bring citizens together to thank military members for their service. On August 31, 1949, Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson made Armed Forces Day official. It replaced separate days celebrating each branch of the service based on their unification under the Department of Defense.
On Saturday, May 20, 1950, the first Armed Forces Day was celebrated. The theme was “Teamed for Defense” to show the unification of the military branches under a single government department. During many Armed Forces Day celebrations, military members showed off their latest equipment to Americans.
Many countries have their own Armed Forces Day including Canada, Israel, Mexico and Vietnam. In the United States, Armed Forces Day 2010 honors those men and women serving all branches of the military. National Guard and Reserve units have a unique training schedules and may celebrate the day anytime in May.
Armed Forces Day falls near Armed Forced Week, which starts on the second Saturday of May. The week ends on the third Sunday of May. The third Saturday in May is designated Armed Forces Day. The special day is celebrated by parades, air shows, open houses and receptions all over the country. Have you ever attended an Armed Forces Day parade?
The longest running celebration of Armed Forces Day takes place in Bremerton, WA. Last year they held their 61st Armed Forces Day Parade.
Visit Defense.gov to download a special poster for Armed Services Day 2010. The statement on the poster is “United in Strength.”
A sincere thanks to everyone who put on that uniform to serve in the military, including my husband, my father and my uncle. Often “Taps” is played on a bugle for Armed Forces Day on a bugle. My son plays the trumpet so I think I know what we'll be doing for Dad today.
Happy Armed Forces Day 2010! Here is a YouTube video of Armed Forces Day celebrations in Hawthorne, Nevada:
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