Armed Forces Day/Week

May 14

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A 12 MINUTE HIGHLIGHT VIDEO OF THE LONGEST RUNNING ARMED FORCES DAY PARADE, FROM BREMERTON, WASHINGTON.

Armed Forces Week is celebrated in the week leading up to Armed Forces Day (the third Saturday in May). For American service members, Armed Forces Week is an occasion to remember past and present service for all branches of the service.  The week also includes “Children of Fallen Patriots Day” 13 May.

Armed Forces Day was observed for the first time on May 20, 1950, the day was created on August 31, 1949 to honor Americans serving in the five U.S. military branches. Armed Forces Day/Week was created in the wake of the consolidation of military services under the United States Department of Defense.

Today, there are many Armed Forces Week events around the globe, but sources report the “longest continuously running Armed Forces Day Parade” for Americans is held in Bremerton, Washington. In 2018 Bremerton marked the 70th straight year of its Armed Forces Day Parade.  Unfortunately, as expected, the festivities are postponed this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Armed Forces Week is another time for Americans to reflect on the sacrifices made by those in uniform, and local communities often pay tribute to their missing or fallen loved ones and friends. There may be ceremonies in your local area (especially if a military installation is nearby) to pay respects to those missing or killed in action.

 Being as we cannot hold parades or visit military installations this year…

More ways to celebrate

  • Wear red, white and blue
  • Fly the American flag
  • Thank a man or woman who serves or has served
  • Talking with or writing to a military member
  • Donate to veteran or military-based organizations
  • Send care packages for those serving overseas
  • Volunteer through the VA or a veterans service organization

What makes Armed Forces Day different from Veterans Day and Memorial Day?

Unlike Veterans Day, which honors those who served, and unlike Memorial Day, which honors those who died serving, Armed Forces Day is a day to honor all of the men and women currently serving as well as those who have served, both active and former military.

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Military Humor –

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Quarantine Humor –

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Farewell Salutes – 

Arthur W. Barstow – Hadley, MA; US Army Air Corps, WWII, PTO, 5th Air Force

Hilton Carter – New Orleans, LA; US Army Air Corps, WWII, PTO, MSSgt., Tuskegee pilot-crew chief-gunner

Daniel Daube – Donora, PA; US Air Force, WWII, Korea & Vietnam, Lt. Colonel (Ret.)

Carl Groesbeck – Chicago, IL; US Army Air Corps, WWII, ETO, bombardier-navigator, POW

Hansford ‘Hank’ Hancock – Greenville, KY; US Army, WWII, ETO

Dorville Johnson – Jonesboro, AR; US Navy, WWII & Korea (Ret. 21 y.)

Paul Krogh Jr. – Old Saybrook, CT; US Navy, WWII, USS Slater

Walter Mallin – Manchester, NH; US Army, WWII, Pearl Harbor survivor

Joseph Phillips – Toronto, CAN; RC Air Force, WWII, ETO, radioman-navigator

Jerry Stiller – Brooklyn, NY; US Army, WWII / Beloved actor

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About GP

Everett Smith served with the Headquarters Company, 187th Regiment, 11th A/B Division during WWII. This site is in tribute to my father, "Smitty." GP is a member of the 11th Airborne Association. Member # 4511 and extremely proud of that fact!

Posted on May 14, 2020, in Current News, Home Front, Uncategorized and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink. 85 Comments.

  1. Aussie Emu | June 4, 2020 at 5:40 AM

    A pleasure to always read your respects to the Military gp, in these times it seems that the Military past is overtaken by the view of the younger generation, and is based on what is going on now in the world, at the end of the day, the Military has always been the backbone of Democracy around the world and in America, cheers mate.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  4. Jennie | May 17, 2020 at 9:19 AM

    Well done, GP! Thank you for this post.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  5. daneelyunus | May 17, 2020 at 6:21 AM

    I have nominated you for ideal inspiration blogger award. Please have a look https://daneelyunus.com/2020/05/17/ideal-inspiration-blogger-award-2/

    Like

    Reply
  6. toniandrukaitis | May 17, 2020 at 1:49 AM

    We are so blessed to have so many who have served in the past and currently serve our country. They are unsung heroes.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  7. Liz Gauffreau | May 15, 2020 at 11:14 PM

    A heartfelt thanks to all who serve our country in the armed forces!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  8. Gypsy Bev | May 15, 2020 at 11:13 PM

    So nice to see so many come out to honor our Armed Forces. This is not a holiday celebrated locally but I like the idea of all branches of the service being celebrated. Is there a particular reason this town had such a fantastic parade?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • GP Cox | May 16, 2020 at 6:32 AM

      In order to answer that question, I’ll have to provide a little history.

      First, there is no doubt that Bremerton is a proud Navy town! Bremerton was born in 1891, the same year as Naval Base Kitsap and Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, and the two have been inextricably entwined ever since.

      How so, you ask? Naval Base Kitsap is by far the largest employer in Kitsap County and defense contractors make up a large percentage as well. Add to that the local industries and small businesses that support those employees and you get the picture.

      Now back to history. Bremerton Chamber of Commerce was born not much later than Naval Base Kitsap, first as Bremerton Improvement Club (BIC) in 1902. Then Bremerton Board of Trade was started in 1904. Board of Trade absorbed BIC and was organized as Bremerton Chamber of Commerce in 1907 to promote PSNS and the affairs pertaining to the well being of Bremerton.

      Fast forward to 1948 when Bremerton Chamber of Commerce organized a parade honoring Bremertonian John “Bud” Hawk after he was presented with the Medal of Honor for his heroism in World War II. The next year in 1949 Armed Forces Day became a national holiday honoring all branches of service. The Bremerton Armed Forces Day Parade has been running ever since and is the largest and longest running Armed Forces Day Parade in the nation. Bremerton Chamber of Commerce member businesses, like Parade Title Sponsor Kitsap Credit Union, step up to support the parade and contribute their time as well as their financial contributions. It’s truly a community effort.

      Every year 20,000 people come to Bremerton and line the streets to celebrate our local armed forces. They want to acknowledge the service of this all too often overlooked part of our community and to say thank you…just as the Bremerton Chamber of Commerce has done since 1948!

      Denise Frey, President and CEO

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  9. OIKOS™-Publishing | May 15, 2020 at 2:46 PM

    Thank you for sharing the vidclip, GP! Happy Armed Forced Week, from me too. Have a beautiful weekend. Michael

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  10. doesitevenmatter3 | May 15, 2020 at 3:20 AM

    Excellent, GP!
    Happy Armed Forces Week!
    Great video!
    Humble, tearful gratitude to all of those who served, and those we are serving!
    Love all of the humor…thanks for the laughs! 😀
    (((HUGS))) 🙂
    PS…I didn’t know Jerry Stiller served in WWII. Thank you for sharing his name. He brought lots of laughter in his acting career.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • GP Cox | May 15, 2020 at 6:34 AM

      Thank you for watching and enjoying the parade!!
      Always happy to hear I gave someone a smile, we’re all in this together, we need to help each other thru it.
      Mr. Stiller had quite a few interesting facets of his life.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  11. jfwknifton | May 15, 2020 at 3:19 AM

    I just love the three bears’ cartoon. Here we have had had deer coming into the outskirts of cities and foxes even less afraid of humans than they normally are, which is saying something !
    It’s a pity that many of the celebrations for Armed Forces Day may be cut short by the pandemic, but hopefully, something less elaborate than previous years may be possible.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • GP Cox | May 15, 2020 at 6:31 AM

      I’ve been hearing a lot about the Nature of our planet starting to repair itself due to the lack of human interference – so the cartoon seemed appropriate. Glad it gave you a smile, John!

      Like

      Reply
  12. SCLMRose | May 14, 2020 at 10:21 PM

    Loved watching the parade! Salute to our Armed Forces!!
    I used to play the Battleship Game with the kids when they were young.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • GP Cox | May 15, 2020 at 6:28 AM

      The parade reminded me of my youth, it made me smile to watch it. I was hoping other people would like it too (especially since we can’t have one this year!)

      Like

      Reply
  13. shoreacres | May 14, 2020 at 9:56 PM

    You explained the differences among the three days perfectly, GP. Even people who try to keep them straight can get re-confused, and it’s good to be reminded what the days have in common, and how they differ.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  14. Lavinia Ross | May 14, 2020 at 8:49 PM

    Remembering and appreciating all who have served.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  16. DC Gilbert | May 14, 2020 at 3:43 PM

    Always good to remember and know the differences between Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Veteran’s Day, etc. Thanks, GP! And I love the mortar attack meme!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  17. Curt Mekemson | May 14, 2020 at 2:47 PM

    Peggy is making a quilt for Tony based primarily on his Coast Guard and Marine T-shirts he has gathered over his 23 years of service. It’s a nice way of saying thank you. –Curt

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  18. Cindy Bruchman | May 14, 2020 at 1:39 PM

    Thanks for reminding me. I better get my flag out on Saturday. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  19. John W. Howell | May 14, 2020 at 12:17 PM

    Thank you for sharing the parade, GP

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  20. beetleypete | May 14, 2020 at 11:53 AM

    You do parades very well over there. Nice video, GP. And I like the mortar joke too. 🙂
    Best wishes, Pete.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  21. anotherday2paradise | May 14, 2020 at 11:33 AM

    Loved watching the parade, GP. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  22. Jacqui Murray | May 14, 2020 at 10:30 AM

    You’ve done it again, GP. I fell well and patriotically greeted by the holiday. RT.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  23. Dan Antion | May 14, 2020 at 9:50 AM

    Thanks for keeping the spirit of recognition alive, GP

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  24. Peter Klopp | May 14, 2020 at 9:39 AM

    Now I understand the difference between these three important days in your calendar.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  26. americanmilitaryfamilymuseum | May 14, 2020 at 8:57 AM

    Reblogged this on americanmilitaryfamilymuseum.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  27. Garfield Hug | May 14, 2020 at 8:42 AM

    Love your article and love your toons and memes even more!! So hilarious🤣

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  28. equipsblog | May 14, 2020 at 7:44 AM

    Thanks for remembering the members of our Armed Forces, GP. I’d also like to do a shout out to the American Red Cross and the USO. When I was deployed to Hungary, as an MWR specialist, I had the privilege of working closely with both the Red Cross and the USO. A service member could not go home for emergency leave unless the Red Cross had verified the information. One of my friends was a lesbian and her partner’s mother had just died. The local Red Cross helped her get permission to return to the states on emergency leave. The local USO could also provide things for the soldiers like computer and Internet access that the Army was not yet equipped to provide. (This was in the mid-90s when computers and Internet access was not as prevalent as it is now.)

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  29. Jill Weatherholt | May 14, 2020 at 7:34 AM

    This was great, GP! Thanks so much for sharing the parade with us.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  30. lobotero | May 14, 2020 at 6:51 AM

    Great suggestions on how tom get involved…..well done….chuq

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
  31. GP Cox | June 3, 2020 at 6:06 AM

    Thanks. Humor is the best way to cope, isn’t it?!!

    Like

    Reply

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