All
of the separate branches of the Armed Forces originally had their own celebratory
day. President Truman combined all of these separate celebrations
into one holiday, Armed Forces Day, by proclamation in 1950. Armed Forces
Day is celebrated on the third Saturday of May. Armed Forces Week
begins on the second Saturday of May and ends on the Third Sunday of May
(although National Guard and Reservists may celebrate during any week of
May).
The
individual holidays for each branch of the Armed Forces was celebrated on
the following days: Air Force Day = Aug. 1st; Army Day = April 6th; Coast
Guard Day = August 4th; Marine Corps Day = Nov. 10th; and Navy Day = Oct.
27th.
Armed Forces Day, like all of the
the other holidays commemorating all of our military units, is day is not
a traditional gift giving day. It is a day to celebrate the men and
women who serve to protect our freedoms. This is especially true
with our current involvement in other countries in the world. Think
about them and remember them in your prayers. You can commemorate this in
the ways suggested below.
Armed Forces Day Gift Giving
Ideas:
For those currently serving
Go to one of the websites
listed and send supplies or goodies to those currently serving
For veterans
Commemorate their service
with a gift. The gift does not have to be expensive.
For instance, give a mug, statue or pocket knife with a military
or pro-American symbol like a Bald Eagle or American Flag.
Books or movies about the
military (fiction and non-fiction)
