Armed Forces Day
Submitted by Steve on 17 May 2008 - 5:50pm.
ArmForDay.jpg "2006 Armed Forces Day")
President Harry S. Truman led the effort to establish a single holiday for citizens to come together and thank our military members for their patriotic service in support of our country.
On August 31, 1949, Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson announced the creation of an Armed Forces Day to replace separate Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force Days. The single-day celebration stemmed from the unification of the Armed Forces under one department -- the Department of Defense.
The first Armed Forces Day was celebrated by parades, open houses, receptions and air shows. Armed Forces Day is celebrated annually on the third Saturday of May, and Armed Forces Week begins on the second Saturday of May and ends on the third Sunday of May. Because of their unique training schedules, National Guard and Reserve units may celebrate Armed Forces Day/Week over any period in May. The purpose of Armed Forces day is to honor Americans serving in the U.S. Military.
ARMED FORCES DAY
I have not seen anything on TV or Radio that even mentioned that today was ARMED FORCES DAY. I work at Ft. McPherson and heard nothing even there. I want to say Thank You to my fellow vets and a special Thank You for those on active duty now. Do your guys think the lack of reconition and publicity is due to the contempt the military is held or are we just taken for granted?
Armed Forces Day
I had the same experience, I didn't hear anything about Armed Forces Day until the 17th. I think it's pretty much that the military is taken for granted and the American public has "war fatigue". They're tired of hearing about anything to do with the military or the war in Iraq. So few people today are actually connected to veterans or have family members who are in the military that they just don't really care.