WASHINGTON — Tomorrow is Armed Forces Day, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) joins a grateful nation in paying tribute to the soldiers, Marines, sailors, airmen, guardians, and Coast Guardsmen who right now are defending freedom both here at home and around the globe.
According to the Department of Defense website, on Aug. 31, 1949, Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson announced the creation of an 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 the Department of Defense.
Armed Forces Day is celebrated annually on the third Saturday of May, which occurs during Armed Forces Week and Military Appreciation Month. The 2023 White House Proclamation on Armed Forces Day can be found here.
The 1.5 million members of the VFW and its Auxiliary salute all U.S. service members and encourages everyone to take a moment to recognize those wearing the uniform, thanking them for their service and for protecting our democracy and way of life.