KANSAS CITY, Mo. — May 16 marks Armed Forces Day, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) proudly joins with our grateful nation to honor our active duty, Guard, and Reserve soldiers, Marines, sailors, airmen, guardians and Coast Guardsmen. Today, we recognize those who stand as the frontline of freedom, defending our way of life at home and across the globe.
On Aug. 31, 1949, Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson announced the creation of Armed Forces Day to replace separate branch celebrations, symbolizing the unification of our military under the Department of Defense. This day, observed annually on the third Saturday in May, serves as a focal point of Military Appreciation Month and is a time to reflect on the immense weight of service.
Despite the evolving threats to global peace, our servicemen and women continue to stand ready. This Armed Forces Day, we celebrate the strength and readiness of our military and also recognize that no service member stands alone. Behind every uniform is a family … spouses, children, parents and friends … those who share in the sacrifice of service. To truly honor the brave men and women of our armed forces, we must commit ourselves to taking care of these families with the same dedication their loved ones show in defending our country.
The 1.3 million members of the VFW and its Auxiliary encourage all Americans to do more than just reflect this Armed Forces Day. We invite you to find tangible ways to support those currently serving and to reach out to the military families in your own communities. Our gratitude must be a year-round commitment to those who stand as the vanguard of our liberty and democracy.