Armed Forces Day 2013

Posted by Rob Riggins

Armed Forces Day is celebrated the third Saturday in May, falling on May 18 this year. That’s the day we should all thank a military member for their service, fly the flag and appreciate what the military does for our country.

The first Armed Forces Day was celebrated in 1950, after the five military branches were consolidated under the Department of Defense. It was intended to replace the separate Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard birthdays, but those days are still observed as well.

President Truman issued a proclamation in 1949 encouraging Americans to “display the flag of the United States at their homes on Armed Forces Day and to participate in exercises expressive of our recognition of the skill, gallantry, and uncompromising devotion to duty characteristic of the Armed Forces in the carrying out of their missions.”

In 1962, President Kennedy established Armed Forces Day as an official holiday.