Armed Forces Day was started in 1949, it is a day that we in the United States set aside to celebrate the men and women in the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard.
It is set aside to be celebrated the 3rd Saturday in May.
Armed Forces Day was a result of combing all of our branches of the military into The Department of Defense. For many years it was celebrated with parades, receptions and Air Shows.
Have you noticed it is not celebrated as much today?
Our men and woman can be called up anytime to put their lives on the line for us to maintain our freedom.Even now they are protecting us around the world. Some are fighting on the ground in Iraq, Afghanistan, some are in the air.
The Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coastguardsmen who have answered the call to service deserve recognition and gratitude. They have endured the most difficult of conditions to protect America and her highest ideals. Today, I ask all Americans to know their sacrifice and join me in humble thanks.
Finally, I call upon all Americans to display the flag of the United States at their homes on Armed Forces Day and urge citizens to learn more about military service by attending and participating in the local observances of the day. I also encourage Americans to volunteer at organizations that provide support to our troops.
Here is the link where you can read the entire Armed Forces Day Proclamation by President Obama.
The poster is the official poster for Armed Forces Day, May 16th, 2009. It is free to download courtesy of the Department of Defense.
On a personal note, our Ombudman, Christine for the Sailors on the Dwight D. Eisenhower sent this out last week. It is unclassified, but I stll asked her if I could but on my blog, as didn't want to do anything to endanger our guys. She said, "Yes, it is not classified." She has done a fabulous job of sending emails almost daily.
I thought it is important to get a glimpse of what the Navy is doing.
IKE is on station about 100 or so nautical miles off the coast of Pakistan with USS Vicksburg nearby riding shotgun.
Carrier Air Wing Seven continues to provide Close Air Support to US and coalition troops on the ground in Afghanistan. Over the past several days Air Wing Seven has flown more than 50 missions in the skies over Afghanistan, performing numerous shows of force and dropping over a dozen flares to let those on the ground know that we are safely guarding the skies above them.
The Taliban has been making headlines not only in Afghanistan, but also in Pakistan. Taliban forces have slowly managed to take over portions of Northern Pakistan in an effort to destabilize an area of the country that is vital to coalition efforts along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. As in Afghanistan, the Taliban’s goal is to take control and establish their own version of government, a government that would reinterpret the law and religious teachings, and oppress their own people. In the past week, the Pakistani Army has started to successfully push back and capture Taliban forces, which is preventing them from over-running the northern territories. IKE Strike Group relies on a safe and stable Pakistan, as our Air Wing planes must transit through Pakistani airspace on every OEF mission. We also rely on close cooperation with Pakistan for maritime security here in the Northern Arabian Sea, as they are one of our coalition partners belonging to Combined Task Force 152, which is tasked with maritime security operations in the Central Arabian Gulf. USS HALYBURTON Is currently scheduled to conduct a port call in Karachi, Pakistan here in the next several days, to reinforce maritime cooperation.
Since our last update, there were at least FOUR pirate attacks and ONE hijacking in the Horn of Africa and Indian Ocean. Interestingly, just off the coast of Somalia, armed pirates even attempted to attack the USNS LEWIS AND CLARK, one of our Navy’s supply vessels. They fired at least one RPG at the vessel but missed. LEWIS AND CLARK easily outmaneuvered the pirates and managed to successfully evade capture. In another similar incident involving a Greek merchant, the vessel also outmaneuvered the pirate skiff, with its large wake capsizing the small boat, forcing the pirates to be picked up and captured by coalition naval units. IKE Strike Goup’s presence in this area continues to be vital to keeping the sea lanes free and open, but these two incidents also show that in some cases, pirates can be defeated by simple evasive maneuvers and greater crew awareness of their surroundings.
I miss you and love you Matthew, you are ALWAYS in my thoughts and prayers. I am so proud of you.
Momma
Take a moment to honor our men and woman in ALL branches of the military today on Armed Forces Day.
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