About Armed Forces Day

By Robin Raven

Armed Forces Day is an American holiday that encourages citizens to celebrate the service given by those in the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines and Navy. It’s a time to say thanks to those who have served our country in times of peace and war.

History

Harry S. Truman was passionate about developing the holiday now known as Armed Forces Day. He thought it was essential that citizens have a day for paying homage and respect to those who were so nobly serving their country.It was formally announced as Armed Forces Day on August 31, 1949. Louis Johnson, the secretary of defense with Truman, made the announcement to the country.
Truman released a Presidential Proclamation on February 27, 1950. He said many things in praise of the day, including the statement that “Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 20, 1950, marks the first combined demonstration by America’s defense team of its progress, under the National Security Act, towards the goal of readiness for any eventuality.”

It was ultimately a historical moment as well in that the Army, Navy and military all now came together under the Department of Defense title instead of individual entities.

Decorating
Armed Forces Day is a day of celebration. Unlike Memorial Day–which should technically be a somber day of remembrance for those we have lost–this holiday is meant to celebrate the service of the living and the ultimate sacrifice of those who lost their lives so that others may be free.Red, white and blue are the colors for this holiday. Since this holiday always falls on a Saturday, parties and barbecues are the norm. Fireworks are a welcome display of celebratory affection. Sending a gift basket to those you love in the service is a traditional idea for the holiday, alongside a “thank you” card. If someone is back home from service, a party is sometimes held in his honor, and friends and family members often bring presents.

Family Projects
Parades and air shows are sometimes held to celebrate this special holiday, which is sometimes overshadowed by Memorial Day–just days away.It’s a good idea to celebrate Armed Forces Day in two parts. The first should be by discussing those who are serving the country. This is a great way to teach children about patriotism. Whether you agree with the wars or even the policies of our armed forces, it’s important to look at the humanity of the soldiers risking their lives for their country. That’s a dialogue that you can have with your children, one that gets deeper as they grow older.
The second way to celebrate Armed Forces Day is with a party or other celebration. A weekend getaway may even be in order, since the holiday is on a Saturday every year. Going to see the Battleship in Mobile, Alabama, may be the holiday for you. Perhaps one will go to Washington, D.C,. to see the memorials for soldiers, or seek out the patriotic landmarks right in your hometown.

Classroom Celebrations
While Armed Forces Day will never fall on a school day–it’s the third Saturday in May–and it comes at a time when lessons for the year are winding down, there are many opportunities for a teacher to help students to understand this holiday. Some students may not be aware of the holiday, and their families may not address or celebrate it. Therefore, it’s an important topic to bring up.On the Friday before Armed Forces Day, it’s wise to bring the topic up with students. For older students, it’s a great time to have an open discussion and debate about how the holiday will be celebrated, even about how pacifists should spend or celebrate the day. For younger students, it’s a good idea to go through the wars taught during the previous semester in history classes, or speak about how a certain subject is used by the armed forces.
A great project for Armed Forces Day is something that should be done a couple of weeks in advance in order to effectively reach its recipients. Have a letter-writing hour for your students in which they thank someone in the armed forces. If the child knows someone personally, he may write to the soldier. Otherwise, you can send letters to any soldier, and someone will be happy to receive it. See Resources for where to send letters online and through the United States Postal Service.

Soldiers like to receive letters with pictures, news of what’s going on at home and details of everyday life. They tend to love hearing about the home front, as that love for it has often propelled them to be in service to protect it. It’s all right to write upbeat letters, even to soldiers serving in a war zone. Escapism may be the best gift the letter can provide.

International Considerations
Armed Forces Day isn’t merely a United States phenomenon. Many countries celebrate this holiday in remembrance of those who serve in the armed forces. For instance, Australia celebrates Anzac Day on April 25. Israel, Italy and the Republic of China also celebrate it, as do many other nations in the world.