Devotionals by Raul Ries

SATURDAY May 16, 2026

Armed Forces Day

...mighty men of valor, men trained for battle, who could handle shield and spear, whose faces were like the faces of lions, and were as swift as gazelles on the mountains....
1 Chronicles 12:8

Armed Forces Day is celebrated on the third Saturday in May. It is a day set aside to hold in high esteem all our brave men and women in the Armed Forces. In 1949, President Harry S. Truman established this holiday so that citizens could honor our military heroes for their dedication in serving our great country––the United States of America.

Originally, there were single-day celebrations for the Army, Navy and Air Force. This format changed on August 21, 1949, when Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson announced the creation of Armed Forces Day, which brought about unification of the Armed Forces under the Department of Defense. The annual celebration now commemorates all branches of the military during one single day.

Armed Forces Day is now a joint celebration of all six branches of the U.S. Military: Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy, and the newly created Space Force. This day honors all people currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Armed Forces Day is not to be confused with Memorial Day, which honors those who have died, or Veterans Day, which gives honor to all former members of the U.S. Military. Veterans Day will always be held on November 11, no matter what day of the week it falls on. It coincides with similar observances in other countries and commemorates the ending of the fighting between the Allied forces and Germany.

National Armed Forces Day is traditionally celebrated with parades, air shows, and other local celebrations in honor of our military. Our Armed Forces risk their lives to keep American citizens safe. This day is set aside in a show of support and recognition for their selfless sacrifice!

It is fitting and proper that we devote one day each year to paying special tribute to those whose constancy and courage constitute one of the bulwarks guarding the freedom of this nation and the peace of the free world.
~President Dwight D. Eisenhower~

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