WHEREAS, Armed Forces Day is celebrated annually on the third Saturday in May, which this year is May 19, 2018; and
WHEREAS, Armed Forces Day honors the men and women who are serving the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard, including National Guard and Reserve components; and
WHEREAS, In 1948, the United States consolidated the military services in the Department of Defense. That same year, on August 31, 1949, Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson announced the creation of an “Armed Forces Day,” a single-day celebration for all branches of the Armed Forces which would replace the separate recognitions for Army Day, Air Force Day, Coast Guard Day, Marine Corps Day, and Navy Day; and
WHEREAS, Without the continued sacrifice and dedication of members of the Armed Forces and their families, we would not be able to experience the freedoms that we have in America; and
WHEREAS, A special ceremony will be held to honor and pay tribute to former and current United Sates Armed Forces servicemembers at the Vietnam War Memorial and the Korean War Memorial at Penn’s Landing with one hundred motorcycle riders participating in “Armed Forces Day Ride” to commemorate this year’s Armed Forces Day; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it recognizes May 19, 2018 as Armed Forces Day in the City of Philadelphia and it wishes to join the nation to express our respect and gratitude to all the brave men and women who defend our nation and its people at home and abroad.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copies of this resolution be presented to the Vietnam Veterans Allied Association of Pennsylvania, and to the Veterans Motorcycle Association of Pennsylvania Chapter 22-3, further evidencing the sincere support and admiration of this legislative body.
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