Armed Forces Day History
In 1949 President Harry Truman created Armed Forces Day in 1949 by consolidating in all branches of the Armed Forces under the Department of Defense. Since 1950, Armed Forces Day, abbreviated AFD, has been a day for American citizens to come together to honor and celebrate all troops and veterans as well as show their patriotism.
The first Armed Forces Day was celebrated on May 20, 1950. During this celebration B-36 Bombers flew over every state capital, a parade was held in NYC with 36,000 participants, and 10,00 veterans and active duty troops marched at D.C.
69 years later, Armed Forces Day is still celebrated the third Saturday of May. Across the globe training grounds, military stations, and state capitals are celebrating AFD. From Charleston, South Carolina to Yokosuka, Japan, to our nation’s capital, troops, veterans, and American citizens celebrate their achievements and bravery.
How To Celebrate Armed Forces Day
Attend a Local Parade
If your town or city has a parade for Armed Forces Day, show up in your best red, white, and blue and get ready to have a blast! Parades are a fun way to spend the day with your family and loved ones as well as honor all members of the Military.
If you are a veteran or active duty military member, this is a perfect time to wear
Volunteer
The VA provides many volunteer services across the U.S. that helps improve your community lives and wellbeing of veterans across the globe. Through the VA you are able to find local VA community posts as well as VVA and VFW posts that happily accept volunteer efforts. You can volunteer outside of the VA by local outreach
Donate to a Great Cause
There are a lot of charity organizations and non-profits that improve your community and the lives in it.
Fisher House Foundation: The Fisher House Foundation provides a network of “comfort homes where military and veterans’ families can stay at no cost while a loved one is receiving treatment”. The nonprofit was started in 1990 and since then, the founder has received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, have houses across the U.S. near military bases and VA hospitals, and a few homes in Europe.
Homes For Our Troops: Homes For Our Troops, HTOF, builds custom homes for wounded or injured troops. Since 2004, HFOT has built 270 custom homes nationwide and have continued to help any and all veterans rebuild their lives. HTOF is a donation-based non-profit that use their donations for the troops and families they help. As of 2018, more than 30 houses across the United States, including Alaska, are in the process of being built.
Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society: The Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society provides, in “partnership with the Navy and USMC, financial, educational, and other assistance to members of the Naval Service of the United States, eligible family members, and survivors when in need”. The Society also provides help budgeting for a family, financial assistance for widows, and post-combat support.
