Changes

'''Armed Forces Day''' is the result of an effort led by [[President]] [[Harry S. Truman]] to establish a single holiday for citizens to come together and thank our military members for their patriotic service in support of the [[United States of America]].

'''Armed Forces Day''' is the result of an effort led by [[President]] [[Harry S. Truman]] to establish a single holiday for citizens to come together and thank our military members for their patriotic service in support of the [[United States of America]].

On August 31, 1949, [[Secretary of Defense]] Louis Johnson announced the creation of an Armed Forces Day to replace separate [[Army]], [[Navy]], [[Marine Corps]], [[Air Force]] and Coastguard days. The single-day celebration stemmed from the unification of the [[Armed Forces]] under one department -- the [[Department of Defense]].  Each of the military leagues and orders was asked to drop sponsorship of its specific service day in order to celebrate the newly announced Armed Forces Day. The Army, Navy and Air Force leagues adopted the newly formed day. The Marine Corps League declined to drop support for Marine Corps Day but supports Armed Forces Day. <ref>[http://www.defenselink.mil/afd/military/history.html U.S. Dept. of Defense; Armed Forces Day history]</ref>  

On August 31, 1949, [[Secretary of Defense]] Louis Johnson announced the creation of an Armed Forces Day to replace separate [[Army]], [[Navy]], [[Marine Corps]], [[Air Force]] and Coastguard days. The single-day celebration stemmed from the unification of the [[Armed Forces]] under one department—the [[Department of Defense]].  Each of the military leagues and orders was asked to drop sponsorship of its specific service day in order to celebrate the newly announced Armed Forces Day. The Army, Navy and Air Force leagues adopted the newly formed day. The Marine Corps League declined to drop support for Marine Corps Day but supports Armed Forces Day.<ref>[http://www.defenselink.mil/afd/military/history.html U.S. Dept. of Defense; Armed Forces Day history]</ref>  

Many countries have their own Armed Forces Day including Canada, [[Israel]], Mexico and Vietnam. The longest known Armed Forces Day celebration has been a parade held in Bremerton, WA since 1949. <ref>[http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/3005218/armed_forces_day_2010_a_day_of_thanks.html?cat=37 Armed Forces Day 2010: A Day of Thanks, Examiner, April 15, 2010]</ref>  

Many countries have their own Armed Forces Day including Canada, [[Israel]], Mexico and Vietnam. The longest known Armed Forces Day celebration has been a parade held in Bremerton, WA since 1949.<ref>[http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/3005218/armed_forces_day_2010_a_day_of_thanks.html?cat=37 Armed Forces Day 2010: A Day of Thanks, Examiner, April 15, 2010]</ref>  

{{reflist}}

{{reflist}}

[[Category: United States of America]]

[[Category:United States of America]]

[[Category: United States Department of Defense]]

[[Category:United States Department of Defense]]