SATURDAY May 18, 2019

Armed Forces Day

For You have armed me with strength for the battle; You have subdued under me those who rose up against me.
Psalm 18:39

Armed Forces Day is celebrated the third Saturday in May.  On August 31, 1949, Defense Secretary Louis Johnson announced the establishment of an Armed Forces Day to replace individual celebrations of Army, Navy and Air Force Days. Having a single-day celebration unified the different armed forces under one agency––the Department of Defense.

Armed Forces Day was first observed on May 20, 1950. The theme for the very first Armed Forces Day was, “Teamed for Defense.” In celebration, over 33,000 people attended a parade in New York. A march was led by more than 10,000 veterans and troops in Washington D.C., and, exciting the crowds, B-36 Bombers flew over state capitals honoring all those who served in our armed forces. The theme for this year’s Armed Forces Day is “For the Nation, For the People.”

In a speech announcing the establishment of the Day, President Truman "praised the work of the military services at home and across the seas."

He said, "It is vital to the security of the nation and to the establishment of a desirable peace." In an excerpt from the Presidential Proclamation of February 27, 1950, Truman stated:

"Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 20, 1950, marks the first combined demonstration by America's defense team of its progress, under the National Security Act, toward the goal of readiness for anyeventuality. It is the first parade of preparedness by the unified forces of our land, sea, and air defense."

The first Armed Forces Day was used to educate society and expand public knowledge of the military and the role they play in the community. It not only honored the military, but enabled them toshow to the public our military capabilities used to protect our great country.

“A truly successful army is one that, because of its strength and ability and dedication, will not be called upon to fight,
for no one will dare to provoke it.”
~President Ronald Reagan~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!