thedrifter
05-12-09, 07:47 AM
Armed Forces Day History: Honor our military personnel and families
May 11, 10:00 PM
This Saturday, May 16, 2009, is national Armed Forces Day. First celebrated in 1950, this day honors the combined forces of all branches of the US military. It is celebrated each year on the third Saturday of May, with parades, military reenactments, and open houses at military bases.
Before 1950, there were individual holidays in honor of each of the five branches (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard). In an act of unity, President Truman created one holiday for all the armed forces. On that first Armed Forces Day, a parade of 10,000 troops, cadets, and veterans, marched past the president in a parade in Washington DC. Other celebrations were held across the country, including 33,000 participants in a New york City event that also included an air parade of 250 military planes. The theme of that first celebration was "Teamed for Defense."
After the creation of the combined holiday, all the branches of the military dropped their individual holidays, except for the Marine Corps. Marines celebrate Armed Forces Day, but still maintain Marine Corps Day. Marine Corps Day occurs annually on November 10 in honor of the establishment of the Corps on November 10, 1775 to fight in the Revolutionary War.
Today, about 1.5 million people are on active duty in the United States, divided between five branches of the military with another 850,000 people serving in the seven reserve and guard divisions (Army National Guard, Army Reserve, Marine Forces Reserve, Navy Reserve, Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve, and Coast Guard Reserve). They are stationed all over the world at more than 820 military installations. About 140,000 personnel are stationed in Iraq and 56,000 are in Afghanistan, although those numbers are shifting.
This year's theme for Armed Forces Day is "United in Strength."
Local Armed Forces Day Events
The largest and longest running parade in honor of Armed Forces Day is in our own backyard in Bremerton, WA. The 61st annual Armed Forces Day Parade will feature 150 marching units, nearly two dozen bands, Pearl Harbor Survivors, and military vehicles. Click here for more information.
Fort Lewis in Tacoma will be holding an Armed Forces Day Festival from 10 am to 6pm. It is open to the public.
http://fortlewismwr.com/
Ellie
May 11, 10:00 PM
This Saturday, May 16, 2009, is national Armed Forces Day. First celebrated in 1950, this day honors the combined forces of all branches of the US military. It is celebrated each year on the third Saturday of May, with parades, military reenactments, and open houses at military bases.
Before 1950, there were individual holidays in honor of each of the five branches (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard). In an act of unity, President Truman created one holiday for all the armed forces. On that first Armed Forces Day, a parade of 10,000 troops, cadets, and veterans, marched past the president in a parade in Washington DC. Other celebrations were held across the country, including 33,000 participants in a New york City event that also included an air parade of 250 military planes. The theme of that first celebration was "Teamed for Defense."
After the creation of the combined holiday, all the branches of the military dropped their individual holidays, except for the Marine Corps. Marines celebrate Armed Forces Day, but still maintain Marine Corps Day. Marine Corps Day occurs annually on November 10 in honor of the establishment of the Corps on November 10, 1775 to fight in the Revolutionary War.
Today, about 1.5 million people are on active duty in the United States, divided between five branches of the military with another 850,000 people serving in the seven reserve and guard divisions (Army National Guard, Army Reserve, Marine Forces Reserve, Navy Reserve, Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve, and Coast Guard Reserve). They are stationed all over the world at more than 820 military installations. About 140,000 personnel are stationed in Iraq and 56,000 are in Afghanistan, although those numbers are shifting.
This year's theme for Armed Forces Day is "United in Strength."
Local Armed Forces Day Events
The largest and longest running parade in honor of Armed Forces Day is in our own backyard in Bremerton, WA. The 61st annual Armed Forces Day Parade will feature 150 marching units, nearly two dozen bands, Pearl Harbor Survivors, and military vehicles. Click here for more information.
Fort Lewis in Tacoma will be holding an Armed Forces Day Festival from 10 am to 6pm. It is open to the public.
http://fortlewismwr.com/
Ellie