Celebrating Armed Forces Day

Celebrating Armed Forces Day:



"People who join the military do so knowing that they may be asked to serve in ways that may put their
lives on the line. Sometimes they are asked to work in hostile areas in less than desirable conditions, far away from family and loved ones. This willingness to put country before self takes a strong sense of duty and commitment. Our service men and women deserve to be recognized for it.
Saturday, is Armed Forces Day. It is a day that was established so that the citizens of the United States could come together to thank the service men and women of the armed forces for their
dedication and commitment in supporting our country. I located this cool historic photo archive documenting 60 years of celebrations for this special day.


Writing about Armed Forces Day in my blog is my own way of thanking the brave men and women who defend our
country, but there are many ways that you can show your appreciation:

• To see what events are planned in your state, use this USA.gov search events results page. To narrow your search, add your state in the search box and select the “Search” button.
• You don't have to attend an official event to show your support. You may use this thank-you form to send your own message of thanks. If you want to read what others have said from your state, check out this America Reaches Out state map. When you select a state it will take you to a page with links that will let you not only see messages from other citizens, but you can see responses from the troops.
• You can also check out these homefront support groups. Many of these groups not only support military personnel directly, but many provide support services to military families. That can mean a world of difference when a service member may be stationed away from his or her family.

Last year in my Armed Forces Day blog, I wrote about my nephew, Tony, completing his basic training. He is
now stationed at Offut Air Force Base,
home of the Fightin' Fifty-Fifth, where he is getting specialized
training in order to perform his military duties. The military has
given him a sense of purpose and discipline. I am very proud that he
has chosen to serve his country. Please join me by expressing your deepest appreciation to all of the people who have dedicated themselves in military service to our country."