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By
Akindman
On August 31, 1949, Louis Johnson, who was the United
States’ Secretary of Defense, announced the creation of an Armed Forces Day to
replace separate Army, Navy and Air Force Days. The event stemmed from the
armed forces’ unification under one department – the Department of Defense. 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 too.
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The first Armed Forces Day was celebrated on Saturday, May
20, 1950. The theme for that day was “Teamed for Defense”, which expressed the
unification of all military forces under one government department. According
to the U.S. Department of Defense, the day was designed to expand public
understanding of what type of job was performed and the role of the military in
civilian life.
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Armed Forces Day was a day for the military to show
"state-of-the-art" equipment to Americans. It was also a day to honor
and acknowledge Americans in the armed forces. Parades, open houses, receptions
and air shows were held at the inaugural Armed Forces Day. Armed Forces Day is still celebrated
nationwide today and is part of Armed Forces Week.
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Locally in the greater Washington, DC Metro area Andrews
Air Force Base will host the celebration highlighted with various air shows
this weekend.
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