Friday, May 19, 2006

Armed Forces Day

In case you didn't know it, Saturday is Armed Forces Day. This day was set aside in 1950 as a day to remember and thank our services members currently serving in the United States Armed Forces, thus making it different from Veteran's Day. So, for those of you who truly support and appreciate our troops, this is an official day to thank them, though you should and probably already do thank them every time you see them!

"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, towards the goal of readiness for any eventuality. It is the first parade of preparedness by the unified forces of our land, sea, and air defense."
Former Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson
Note the day and date of the first Armed Forces Day!
"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, 1953

"Today let us, as Americans, honor the American fighting man. For it is he--the soldier, the sailor, the Airman, the Marine--who has fought to preserve freedom. It is his valor that has given renewed hope to the free world that by working together in discipline and faith our ideals of freedom will always prevail."
Admiral Forrest P. Sherman

"We cannot, in this day of exploding world competition on all fronts, be content to maintain the status quo. We must also realize that the preservation of our freedom in the years ahead may require greater sacrifices from us than those made by Americans who have walked before us."
General Nathan F. Twining, 1960
Former Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff

"...Word to the Nation: Guard zealously your right to serve in the Armed Forces, for without them, there will be no other rights to guard."
President John F. Kennedy, 1962

"... Our Servicemen and women are serving throughout the world as guardians of peace--many of them away from their homes, their friends and their families. They are visible evidence of our determination to meet any threat to the peace with measured strength and high resolve. They are also evidence of a harsh but inescapable truth--that the survival of freedom requires great cost and commitment, and great personal sacrifice."
President John F. Kennedy, 1963

Defense Link
So, whenever and wherever you see someone in uniform, shake their hand and thank them because without them we would not be free!

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

If we can't set at least one day a year aside to pay respect and thanks to those who are have and are now serving our country. It's a sad world we live in.