Saturday, May 15, 2021

May Every Day | Armed Forces Day

May Every Day is a series of (almost) daily blog posts for May 2021 sharing days and weeks that we celebrate or observe. Some of these days are well-known holidays while others are more obscure observances, some are celebrated internationally while others are more nationally focused, some are significant while others are just plain FUN!

Here in the United States, we have three holidays focused on our military men and women. These holidays are often confused and many times the meaning of each is lost in the celebration of a long weekend or the excess of retail sales or the beginning/ending of summertime. However, they each serve to honor members of the United States military.


Armed Forces Day honors Americans serving in the five U.S. military branches - Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard. This holiday was established in 1949 and stemmed from the unification of all the branches of the military under the Department of Defense. It is celebrated the third Saturday in May. This is the day to thank those who are currently serving our country.

Memorial Day honors those who gave their life while in military service to our country, particularly in battle or from wounds suffered in battle. It is celebrated the last Monday in May. This is the day to remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice while serving our country.

Veterans Day honors all those who have served our country whether in war or peacetime. It was originally called Armistice Day and is celebrated on November 11. (Because November 11, 1918, is considered the end of World War I, many countries have some sort of military observance/celebration on this same date.) This is the day to thank living veterans for their service and their sacrifices.

Do you know anyone currently serving in the military? Be sure to thank them for their service today!

1 comment:

  1. I think everyday should be thank someone in the military. While no one in my family is currently serving in the military, there have been several who have; airforce, navy & search & rescue. In Canada November 11th is Remembrance Day & is a big deal although not a holiday. All schools & businesses break at 11am - the 11th hour, 11th day of the 11th month to honour & remember all those who gave their lives in service to the country & for our freedoms. It's also known as Poppy Day, as we wear poppies to mark the day.

    ReplyDelete

Thanks so much for your comment - it's like a ray of sunshine in my day!