Both my father and husband were in the Navy and I wanted to take the opportunity today to say thanks to all the brave men and women who serve in our military around the world. Different countries celebrate Armed Forces Day; here is a little bit about the history of this day in the United States.
In the United States, Armed Forces Day
is celebrated on the third Saturday in May. It marks the end of Armed
Forces Week, which begins on the second Saturday of May and ends on the
third Sunday of May.
The day was created in 1949 to honor Americans serving in the five
U.S. military branches – the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast
Guard – following the consolidation of the military services in the
Department of Defense. It was intended to replace the separate Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard Days, but observance of these days, especially within each particular service, continues to this day.
The first Armed Forces Day was celebrated by parades, open houses,
receptions and air shows. The United States' longest running
city-sponsored Armed Forces Day Parade is held in Bremerton, WA. In
2009, Bremerton celebrated the 61st Armed Forces Day Parade.
Because of their unique training schedules, National Guard and
Reserve units may celebrate Armed Forces Day/Week over any period in
May.
