May 16 - Armed Forces Day

Happy Armed Forces Day! On the third Saturday in May, this day pays tribute to any and all of the military personnel serving in the United States Armed Forces. The celebration takes place each year during Armed Forces Week. 

The United States Military is composed of six branches. These include the U.S. Army, the U.S. Marine Corps, the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Space Force. 

As of 2019, more than 1.3 million active-duty service members are stationed in the United States and around the world! An additional 800,000 reservists stand ready in the U.S. Army National Guard and the U.S. Air National Guard.  

The holiday unites the country behind the men and women who currently serve in the United States Military. 

HOW TO OBSERVE 

Volunteer for a veteran organization that supports those who are deployed. Organize care packages for service members or their families. Recognize a service member that you know of.  

Learn more about the history of each branch of the military and how it has evolved. Discover more about your family’s military history as well.  

Most importantly, show support for those currently serving in the United States Armed Forces. Call them. Write to them. Send them a message and let them know you support them and respect the choices they’ve made to serve.  

Use #ArmedForcesDay to post on social media. 

HISTORY 

It was with the idea for citizens to come together and thank our military members for their patriotic service in support of our country that 33rd U.S. President Harry S. Truman led the effort to establish this single holiday.  

This one-day celebration then stemmed from the unification of the United States Armed Forces under the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD).  

On August 31, 1949, American politician, attorney who served as the second Secretary of Defense Louis A. Johnson announced the creation of an Armed Forces Day.  

This was to replace separate U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force Days and U.S. Coast Guard days. 

The first observance on May 20, 1950, launched with parades, open houses, receptions, and air shows.

• • 1962 – 35th U.S. President John F. Kennedy established Armed Forces Day as an official holiday. 

• • Bremerton, Washington hosts the United States’ longest-running city-sponsored Armed Forces Day Parade. 

• • 2012 – Bremerton celebrated the sixty-fourth year of the parade. 

For more information and poster, visit the website below:

http://www.defense.gov/afd/ 

How can you thank or acknowledge someone that is in or has been in the armed forces today? 

#ArmedForcedDay 

@USarmy 

@marines 

@USNavy 

@USairforce 

@UScoastguard 

@USSpaceForceDoD 

@DeptofDefense 

@nichecinema 

DATES 

May 15, 2021 
May 21, 2022 
May 20, 2023 
May 18, 2024 
May 17, 2025 
May 16, 2026 
May 15, 2027 
May 20, 2028 
May 19, 2029 
May 15, 2030