Taken from Defenselink:"A Tradition of Heroes"
Armed Forces Day History
On August 31, 1949, Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson announced the creation of an Armed Forces Day to replace separate Army, Navy and Air Force Days. The single-day celebration stemmed from the unification of the Armed Forces under one department -- the Department of Defense. Each of the military leagues and orders was asked to drop sponsorship of its specific service day in order to celebrate the newly announced Armed Forces Day. The Army, Navy and Air Force leagues adopted the newly formed day. The Marine Corps League declined to drop support for Marine Corps Day but supports Armed Forces Day, too.
Army Day - Navy Day - Air Force Day - Marine Corps Day - Coast Guard Day
In a speech announcing the formation of the day, President Truman "praised the work of the military services at home and across the seas" and said, "it is vital to the security of the nation and to the establishment of a desirable peace." In an excerpt from the Presidential Proclamation of Feb. 27, 1950, Mr. Truman stated:
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.The theme of the first Armed Forces Day was "Teamed for Defense." It was chosen as a means of expressing the unification of all the military forces under a single department of the government. Although this was the theme for the day, there were several other purposes for holding Armed Forces Day. It was a type of "educational program for civilians," one in which there would be an increased awareness of the Armed Forces. It was designed to expand public understanding of what type of job is performed and the role of the military in civilian life. It was a day for the military to show "state-of-the-art" equipment to the civilian population they were protecting. And it was a day to honor and acknowledge the people of the Armed Forces of the United States.
According to a New York Times article published on May 17, 1952: "This is the day on which we have the welcome opportunity to pay special tribute to the men and women of the Armed Forces ... to all the individuals who are in the service of their country all over the world. Armed Forces Day won't be a matter of parades and receptions for a good many of them. They will all be in line of duty and some of them may give their lives in that duty."
The first Armed Forces Day was celebrated by parades, open houses, receptions, and air shows. In Washington D.C., 10,000 troops of all branches of the military, cadets, and veterans marched pass the President and his party. In Berlin, 1,000 U.S. troops paraded for the German citizens at Templehof Airfield. In New York City, an estimated 33,000 participants initiated Armed Forces Day "under an air cover of 250 military planes of all types." In the harbors across the country were the famed mothballed "battlewagons" of World War II, the Missouri, the New Jersey, the North Carolina, and the Iowa, all open for public inspection. Precision flying teams dominated the skies as tracking radar were exhibited on the ground. All across the country, the American people joined together to honor the Armed Forces.
Many of you know the works of Roger Robicheau, often featured here on IWT. Here is his message for this Armed Forces Day:
Hi Everyone,
It has been almost two hundred years since our beloved Uncle Sam first came forth in this country. To be exact, it was during the War of 1812. What an impact he has had on our great nation since then.
I hope you all find the writing below to your liking. As to feelings about our great Armed Forces, It is spelled right out. And we are also reminded about God and our country.
I don't think there's a better time for this presentation than Armed Forces Day.....And my hope is that some of our great troops oversees will get to read this by Independence Day.
God Bless Each One Of Our Troops....God Bless This Country That They Secure....And God Bless You For All Your Tremendous Efforts For Our Military....
Ladies and Gentlemen...........
Old Uncle Sam
You all know me, I’m Uncle Sam
So gosh darn proud, oh yes I am
I’m for this country, all the way
But you knew that, I'll never sway
I've been around for quite awhile
Forget my age, I’m still in style
Like Yankee Doodle, yes siree
Like Troy, New York’s great history
I’m so proud Yankee Doodle’s kin
And proud what Troy for me has been
‘Twas Eighteen Twelve when all began
Too bad there was no cameraman
Our country fought its second war
We would prevail, just like before
Your Uncle Sam knows all too well
The facts are clear, war can be hell
Stay close to your Old Uncle Sam
I'm here for you, that’s what I am
We are the great Land of The Free
Thanks to those marching faithfully
Salute and thank the brave you see
Do not forget, they’re tops with me
America, stand up and cheer
Our forces keep our freedom clear
One Nation Under God we stay
This truth endures to greet each day
***
My time now draws to bid farewell
‘Twas grand to have you for a spell
Goodbye to you, each worthy friend
God Bless You, all my love I send
©2006 Roger J. Robicheau
You all know me, I’m Uncle Sam
So gosh darn proud, oh yes I am
I’m for this country, all the way
But you knew that, I'll never sway
I've been around for quite awhile
Forget my age, I’m still in style
Like Yankee Doodle, yes siree
Like Troy, New York’s great history
I’m so proud Yankee Doodle’s kin
And proud what Troy for me has been
‘Twas Eighteen Twelve when all began
Too bad there was no cameraman
Our country fought its second war
We would prevail, just like before
Your Uncle Sam knows all too well
The facts are clear, war can be hell
Stay close to your Old Uncle Sam
I'm here for you, that’s what I am
We are the great Land of The Free
Thanks to those marching faithfully
Salute and thank the brave you see
Do not forget, they’re tops with me
America, stand up and cheer
Our forces keep our freedom clear
One Nation Under God we stay
This truth endures to greet each day
***
My time now draws to bid farewell
‘Twas grand to have you for a spell
Goodbye to you, each worthy friend
God Bless You, all my love I send
©2006 Roger J. Robicheau
And this morning, I received a very special message in my email:
HAPPY DAY U.S. ARMED FORCES!
I wanted to send my greetings to all the men and women who make up the
Military of the United States of America.
With all respect and love, I'm attaching you a collage made by me for this special day. I hope that you like it.
HAVE A GREAT GREAT DAY!
Keep up your good work. Don't heed the mainstream media. Continue to terminate the enemies and threats of The USA and Western World. I, from here, will pray to God that protect to U.S. forces and their families.
God bless you all and The States!
Good luck!
Take care!
Sincerely,
Ignacio S. C-------- from Argentina
(Click picture for larger version)
And for my part, to my Sarge-in-law, to Christian, to Clif, to Mike F., to Mike R., to Cisco, to Henry, to Phil, to Steven, to Todd, and to all the other brave servicemen and women it's been my privilege to support directly, and correspond with - you are my heroes, and I am humbled by all you do.
Thank you - more than I could ever express - both to those I know, and to those of you I have never met, and to the families of all those who are willing to stand bravely in harm's way for all of us.
And a very special thank you to Patti's son Brandon, who, with the Heroes he served with, was the initial inspiration for Soldiers' Angels, and this blog.
UPDATE: Armed Forces Day at Soldiers' Angels Germany
(right click image, then "Save as")
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