The idea of Armed Forces Day was to combine Army Day, Navy Day, and Air Force Day. It was announced on August 31, 1949 by Louis Johnson, Secretary of Defense. Today is the day when forces were unified.
If you run into military personnel or their families, please thank them. There are many ways to celebrate our Armed Forces. This day is one of the ways to recognize them. If you go to church, temple, or a mosque or other places of holiness and prayer, pray for the servicemen and women and their families.
I went to the US Department of Defense website at www.defense.gov/afd/military/history.html. I learned about how Armed Forces Day was created. I learned about the first Armed Forces Day celebration which was held on Saturday, May 20, 1950. The President at the time was President Truman. They celebrated the first Armed Forces Day by having parades, open houses, airs shows, and receptions. “In Washington, DC., 10,000 troops of all branches of the military, cadets, and veterans marched passed the President and his party.”
What do you think you can do today to help recognize our military and their families?
Your Neighbor,
Jake
