2018 Armed Forces Day Poster
This week marks the holiday of Armed Forces Day, which appears on the third Saturday of the month of May. The week from the second to third Saturday is, of course, Armed Forces Week.
This holiday was created in 1949 and first celebrated in 1950 as a way to unite Navy, Army and Air Force military holidays. This unification stemmed from the creation of the Department of Defense, where all three departments would now reside.
The celebration of the first Armed Forces Day had many purposes. First, it was to show a unity underneath a single department of the government. That very first theme was “Teamed for Defense.” President Truman stated that: “It is the first parade of preparedness by the unified forces of our land, sea, and air defense.”
Another purpose of Armed Forces Day was to educate the general public about what the military does and how they interact with everyday civilian life. It was designed to give increased awareness of the service of those in the military.
Air shows, parades and receptions were everywhere and all across the country, the American people joined together to honor members of the armed forces.
Remember, May is National Military Appreciation Month, so don’t let this month go by without thanking a veteran or a current military service member. Just because Armed Forces Day isn’t a federal holiday doesn’t mean it’s any less important. Regarding and honoring our service men and women is a tradition long forgotten that we need to redeem.
If you have not signed up to receive my free calendar of Military Holidays and Birthdays, please sign up! The graphics are wonderful and can make a great gift to a current or former service member.
