Armed Forces Day to honor military service

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Stephen Delgado
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  May 16 marks a special day in military history, the celebration of the 60th Armed Forces Day. 

This day was born during the Harry S. Truman administration. President Truman led the effort to establish a single holiday for citizens to join in a unified celebration to thank the members of the military for their service and to honor and acknowledge that service. 

Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson announced the creation of Armed Forces Day Aug. 31, 1949. It would replace separate Army, Navy and Air Force days. The single-day celebration was the result of the unification of the armed forces when the Department of Defense was created in 1947 as part of the National Security Act. 

What's more, there were other reasons for holding Armed Forces Day. It is an educational day for the civilian population, with the purpose of increased awareness of what the armed forces are doing to protect the country. It was designed to expand the public's understanding of the tasks performed by the military and their role in civilian life. 

Armed Forces Day is celebrated the third Saturday of May as part of Armed Forces Week, which begins the second Saturday of May and ends the day after Armed Forces Day. 

Presidents and other leaders have throughout the years echoed their feelings on the importance of Armed Forces Day. Their words are timeless. 

"Today let us, as Americans, honor the American fighting man. For it is he, the Soldier, the Sailor, the Airman and the Marine, who has fought to preserve freedom. It is that valor that has given renewed hope to the free world that by working together in discipline and faith our ideals will always prevail," President Dwight Eisenhower said. 

World War II general and former Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman Gen. Omar Bradley expressed his feeling of the need for unity. 

"Armed Forces Day should serve to emphasize the practical application of unification in action and to remind us of the continued need for unity in our Armed Forces and among all of our citizens in the interests of security and peace," Gen. Bradley said. 

President John F. Kennedy talked of the partnership of the American people and the military. 

"The support of an informed American people is increasingly important to the Armed Forces in these days of rapid technological advance, quick reaction time and grave threats to our freedom. I, therefore, encourage members of the Defense Department to observe Armed Forces Day by informing the American people of our 'Power for Peace' and by confirming their faith that in our strength, we will remain free," President Kennedy said. 

Retired Chief Master Sgt. Gregory Daniels, 56th Training Squadron Integrated Delivery System manager here, said that Armed Forces Day is the nation's opportunity to thank military members for their unfailing commitment to the United States. 

"It recognizes the contributions of all the branches of the Department of Defense," he said. "Since Armed Forces Day is celebrated on a Saturday, there are those people who attempt to downplay its significance. However, Saturday is a truly fitting day as it recognizes the daily sacrifices our military members make to ensure our nation's freedoms. I will proudly fly my flag in recognition of my comrades in arms."
This year's theme will be "United in Strength."