If you’re a soldier, or know anyone who has joined the military and gone to war for our country, this is the day they should be cherished and remembered. May 21 is Armed Forces Day and many States around the US are honoring those who stood up to be counted with special ceremonies. But what do you know about the day itself? Let us fill you in on all the details.
1. Armed Forces Day was actually created in August!
It was President Harry S. Truman who set up the occasion to thank the military and their families on Aug. 31, 1949. It normally falls on the third Saturday in May every year, with the first being celebrated on May 20, 1950.
2. The longest running official Armed Forces Day parade happens in Washington
That’s right, the honor of being the state that has always been reliable to stand tall when it comes to tradition is Washington. In Bremerton the sponsored city parade is in its 68th year. That’s some going!
3. The military does its bit too
On Armed Forces Day, the military itself perform many exercises in the air, on sea and on land to honor their members and show off their military equipment to civilians.
4. America isn’t the only country that has a Armed Forces Day
All around the world countries celebrate their soldiers, including in Armenia, Australia, New Zealand, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bulgaria, Burma, Canada, Chile, China, Cuba, Egypt, Finland, France, Georgia, Guatemala, Hungary, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Japan, Lebanon, Mali, Malaysia, Mauritania, Mexico, North Korea, Philippines, Poland, Romania, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Thailand, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, Venezuela, and Vietnam.
5. The U.S. Department of Defense is the biggest employer in the United States.
Incredibly, the U.S. Department of Defense has 2.3 million people serving, as well as around 1.8 million on active duty. Each year, they must recruit around 165,000 people due to retirement or completed services.
How are you celebrating Armed Forces Day? Will you be flying your flag high?
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