Armed Forces Day

Armed Forces Day was established with the efforts of President Harry S. Truman for citizens to come together and thank our military members for their patriotic service in support of our country.

Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson announced on August 31, 1949, the creation of Armed Forces Day to replace separate Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force Days. The single-day celebration stemmed from the unification of the Armed Forces under one department -- the Department of Defense. But the day was also meant as an "educational program for civilians" to help increase awareness. Every year since then, Armed Forces Day is celebrated on the third Saturday in May.

Thank you to everyone who has served or is serving in the military for this country I love.


What you can do to celebrate Armed Forces Day:

1. Attend an Armed Forces Day open house at a military base near you. Talk to the men and women on duty. Ask questions. Learn what it's like to serve these days.


2. Contribute to the preservation of an historic fort or museum near you. Pitch in at a cleanup, volunteer to help out at the next holiday celebration, or simply pop a check in the mail.

• Air Force


• Navy Museums and other Navy related sites


• National Museum of the Marine Corps and links to Marine Corp Museums


• Army Museum Websites