# 3331 - 1999 33c Honoring Those Who Served
33¢ Honoring Those Who Serve
City: Kansas City, MO
Printing Method: Photogravure
Perforations: Serpentine die cut11
Color: Black, blue and red
Armed Forces Day
US Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson first introduced Armed Forces Day on August 31, 1949. The Department of Defense (DoD) had been created two years earlier to unite all of the Armed Forces into one department. The department conceived of the holiday to replace the individual days honoring each of the branches.
Celebrated on May 20, 1950, the first Armed Forces Day had the theme of “Teamed for Defense.” This was intended to honor the new unification of the military forces in one governmental department. The celebrations were also intended to help educate civilians on the importance of the Armed Forces and their role in civilian life. The military also used the day to show new “state-of-the-art” equipment off to the public.
Over the years, Armed Forces Day has adopted different themes. These have included “Appreciation of a Nation,” “Dedication and Devotion,” “Freedom through Unity,” “Liberty,” “Patriotism,” “Power for Peace,” “Prepared to Meet the Challenge,” “Security,” and “Special Opportunity for Thanks.” Each year on Armed Forces Day, presidents, secretaries of defense, or other leaders speak out about the importance of the day. Read parts of their moving speeches below:
“Close understanding between members of our Armed Forces and members of civilian communities is most important to preserve the high level of national readiness necessary for safeguarding the free world.” – General Nathan F. Twining, 1959
Click here for lots more stamps honoring the military.
33¢ Honoring Those Who Serve
City: Kansas City, MO
Printing Method: Photogravure
Perforations: Serpentine die cut11
Color: Black, blue and red
Armed Forces Day
US Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson first introduced Armed Forces Day on August 31, 1949. The Department of Defense (DoD) had been created two years earlier to unite all of the Armed Forces into one department. The department conceived of the holiday to replace the individual days honoring each of the branches.
Celebrated on May 20, 1950, the first Armed Forces Day had the theme of “Teamed for Defense.” This was intended to honor the new unification of the military forces in one governmental department. The celebrations were also intended to help educate civilians on the importance of the Armed Forces and their role in civilian life. The military also used the day to show new “state-of-the-art” equipment off to the public.
Over the years, Armed Forces Day has adopted different themes. These have included “Appreciation of a Nation,” “Dedication and Devotion,” “Freedom through Unity,” “Liberty,” “Patriotism,” “Power for Peace,” “Prepared to Meet the Challenge,” “Security,” and “Special Opportunity for Thanks.” Each year on Armed Forces Day, presidents, secretaries of defense, or other leaders speak out about the importance of the day. Read parts of their moving speeches below:
“Close understanding between members of our Armed Forces and members of civilian communities is most important to preserve the high level of national readiness necessary for safeguarding the free world.” – General Nathan F. Twining, 1959
Click here for lots more stamps honoring the military.