What Is the Third Saturday in May?

On Memorial Day, Monday, May 26, our great nation will honor our United States military personnel who died while in service, paying the ultimate price.

On Veterans Day, Tuesday, November 11, we will honor all individuals who have served in the military and made sacrifices for our freedom.

This Saturday, May 17, we are to celebrate active-duty members across all branches of the military – Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Space Force.

Although the third Saturday in May seems to be a silent holiday, it is a significant event we should not overlook.

In 1947, the U.S. military was significantly reorganized with the passage of the National Security Act. This legislation led to the creation of the Department of Defense, which consolidated all military branches under one unified command. It was established to prevent disorganization and conflicts that were experienced during WWII under a fragmented structure and to strengthen national security.

In 1949, Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson established Armed Forces Day in order to replace the separate holidays for each branch of service. The goal was to bring unity to the branches, education to the public about the military’s role, and foster a deeper appreciation of the sacrifices made by our service members.

Harry S. Truman officially made Armed Forces Day a holiday, and it was first observed on May 20, 1950, with the theme being “Teamed for Defense.” Across the nation, parades, air shows, and open houses were held to increase civilian awareness of the military’s advancements and capabilities, as well as demonstrate the necessary role of the armed forces working in unison to secure our nation. Washington, D.C. had the greatest turnout, as thousands came to witness the parade of 10,000 consolidated troops.

Sadly, Armed Forces Day is a rather unseen holiday in much of America today. However, the people of Bremerton, Washington have their sights set on their 78th Annual Armed Forces Parade in just a few short days!

In 1948, the Bremerton Chamber of Commerce organized a parade for its own, John “Bud” Hawk, who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroism in WWII. While painfully wounded, he was still responsible for crushing two desperate attempts of the enemy to escape from the Falaise pocket and for the capture of 500 German troops. President Truman actually traveled to Olympia, Washington to present Hawk’s medal on the Washington State Capitol steps. Hawk said, “That meant more to me than the medal itself. My dad didn’t stop smiling for about six years, and my mother was intensely proud.”

The very next year, the patriotic Bremertonians planned another parade when Armed Forces Day became a national holiday, and they have been celebrating our protectors and remembering their town’s hero ever since. It is the largest and longest-running parade west of the Mississippi. More than 20,000 people faithfully line the streets for a two-hour parade to show their gratitude for our armed forces the morning of the third Saturday in May, and other patriotic festivities follow for the rest of their day.

Whether or not we have an amazing parade to attend, now more than ever, all Americans should be involved in Armed Forces Day in some capacity. Celebrating this day reminds us of the daily sacrifices made by servicemen and their families and gives us a deeper appreciation of their service. It also strengthens our national unity and our pride in this blessed nation that we all too often take for granted.

Here are several ways to celebrate Armed Forces Day, especially with your children, so they will continue to love, respect, and appreciate our servicemen and women:

• Attend community events like open houses, airshows, parades, and other military exhibits. If your community doesn’t have any events, prayerfully consider starting your own like the people of Bremerton, Washington!
• Support Veteran charities that provide for active duty families, like Cell Phones for Soldiers, Blue Star Families, Wounded Warrior Project.
• Call or text those you know personally who are in the service, and tell them how much you appreciate them.
• Write letters of gratitude to service members and their families.
• Take supper to a family who is active military.
• Research the history of the branches of service and discuss family members who served or are currently serving and why they chose to serve in that particular branch.
• Pray for our soldiers. Pray for their salvation, their wisdom, their families, and for their protection as they protect us.

May God bless America and every brave soldier in our Armed Forces.