Armed Forces Day, 2018

Proclamation 9753 of May 18, 2018

Armed Forces Day, 2018

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

On Armed Forces Day, we pay tribute to the
extraordinary men and women who serve our Nation with
valor and distinction in all branches of the military.
This annual observance honors their steadfast service
in preserving our Nation's peace, preserving our
freedom, and defending our founding principles.

Throughout our history, in times of war and peace, our
service members have served with bravery, skill, and
unwavering devotion to duty. There is no fighting force
that rivals that of the United States military. The
precious liberties all Americans enjoy are possible
because, every day and without exception, our Armed
Forces relentlessly and tirelessly carry out the
critical mission of protecting our country, our
freedoms, and our way of life.

Taking care of our Armed Forces is one of the highest
priorities of my Administration. Our military has made
tremendous gains against ISIS and al-Qa'ida in Syria
and Iraq, with ISIS having lost nearly 100 percent of
the territory it formerly occupied. These successes
underscore the importance of continuing to support,
grow, and modernize our military forces--we must ensure
that our Armed Forces remain second to none. Earlier
this year, I signed into law legislation that does just
that, providing nearly $700 billion in funding for
national defense. These funds will increase our
military's capacity--investing billions in new
equipment, maintenance, and troop readiness.

We will never be able to repay fully our heroes for
their selfless service. We must, therefore, guarantee
that we support them and their families here at home so
that they can effectively execute their missions
abroad. I was very pleased to sign into law legislation
that gave our troops a 2.4 percent pay raise--their
largest pay raise in 8 years. I was also proud to sign
an Executive Order this month to enhance employment
opportunities for the spouses of our service members.
My Administration will not stop in our efforts to
encourage all sectors of our country--private and
public--to find ways to support our troops and their
loved ones.

On this day, and every day, we owe a debt of gratitude
to our service members stationed at home and those
deployed around the world. All across America, we enjoy
the blessings of liberty because our Nation's finest
men and women willingly accept the call to service. We
proudly salute our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines,
and Coast Guardsmen, and recognize the families who
serve alongside them for their courage and commitment.

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

I invite the Governors of the States and Territories
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 and businesses 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.

Proclamation 9615 of May 19, 2017, is hereby
superseded.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
eighteenth day of May, in the year of our Lord two
thousand eighteen, and of the Independence of the
United States of America the two hundred and forty-
second.