Armed Forces Day, 2010

Proclamation 8522 of May 14, 2010

Armed Forces Day, 2010

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

America's Armed Forces represent the very best of our
national character. They have answered the call to
defend our Nation, and their service and sacrifice
humble us all. On Armed Forces Day, we pay tribute to
these patriots who risk their lives, sometimes giving
their last full measure of devotion, to preserve the
vision of our forebears and the freedoms we enjoy.

Our service members carry on the proud traditions of
duty and valor that have sustained us from our earliest
days of independence. Today, we have the greatest
military force in the history of the world because we
have the finest personnel in the world. Wherever they
are needed, from Iraq and Afghanistan to right here at
home, they are serving and protecting our Nation.

We owe our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and
Coast Guardsmen more than our gratitude; we owe them
our support. That is why my Administration is committed
to ensuring they have the strategy, clear mission, and
equipment they need to get the job done, and the
resources they deserve when they come home. We are also
increasing support for military spouses and families
who must deal with the stress and separation of war.

Today, let us raise our flags high to honor the service
members who keep us safe, as we reaffirm our commitment
to fulfill our duty to them.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the
United States of America, and Commander in Chief of the
Armed Forces of the United States, continuing the
precedent of my predecessors in office, do hereby
proclaim the third Saturday of each May as Armed Forces
Day.

I direct the Secretary of Defense on behalf of the
Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and the Secretary
of Homeland Security on behalf of the Coast Guard, to
plan for appropriate observances each year, with the
Secretary of Defense responsible for soliciting the
participation and cooperation of civil authorities and
private citizens.

I invite the Governors of the States, the Commonwealth
of Puerto Rico, and other areas subject to the
jurisdiction of the United States, to provide for the
observance of Armed Forces Day within their
jurisdiction each year in an appropriate manner
designed to increase public understanding and
appreciation of the Armed Forces of the United States.

I also invite veterans, civic, and other organizations
to join in the observance of Armed Forces Day each
year.

Finally, I call upon all Americans to display the flag
of the United States at their homes on Armed Forces
Day, and I urge citizens to learn more about military
service by attending and participating in the local
observances of the day. I also encourage Americans to
volunteer at organizations that provide support to our
troops.

Proclamation 8380 of May 14, 2009, is hereby
superseded.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
fourteenth day of May, in the year of our Lord two
thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.