Salute to The Armed Forces Day
Poems and Pictures


"America Supports You"

The single-day celebration stemmed from the unification of the Armed Forces under one department
 -- The Department of Defense --

The theme of the first Armed Forces Day was "Teamed for Defense." It was chosen as a means of expressing the unification of all the military forces under a single department of the government.

Tribute To Armed Forces Day

Here’s to the men of the red, white and blue;
Whose patriot’s hearts burned high ...
To the women who served us on land and on sea,
Some even in the sky.

I’d like to say, "Thank you, that we’ll never know
The outcome if you had not gone,"
And to tell you, "I’ll never forget your deed,
As long as my life lingers on."

For, I was a child, when the great war came,
And you just a dozen years more.
Some of you fought on a distant beach.
Some died on a foreign shore.

I’d hate to forget those heroes of old,
From the 'War to end all wars'.
Korea, Vietnam, and Desert Storm
Proved that men fight evermore.

God, help us all when brave men say,
"Not today. Let’s just wait and see."
For, tyrants come in so many ways
And I’ve heard of complacency.

When integrity falls in the dust by the way,
When conviction fails to command,
When there’s no one to bugle or carry the flag,
What will become of our land?

So, here’s to the heroes and heroines true!
Here’s to the brave and the free!
With my hand on my chest as the flag passes by,
I remember what you did for me!!!

Armed Forces Day Poem by © 2002 by Joan Clifton Costner  

Although this was the theme for the day, there were several other purposes for holding Armed Forces Day. It was a type of "educational program for civilians," one in which there would be an increased awareness of the Armed Forces. It was designed to expand public understanding of what type of job is performed and the role of the military in civilian life. It was a day for the military to show "state-of-the-art" equipment to the civilian population they were protecting. And it was a day to honor and acknowledge the people of the Armed Forces of the United States.

This is the day on which we have the welcome opportunity to pay special tribute to the men and women of the Armed Forces ... to all the individuals who are in the service of their country all over the world. Armed Forces Day won't be a matter of parades and receptions for a good many of them. They will all be in line of duty and some of them may give their lives in that duty.