FORT BUCHANAN, Puerto Rico - Hundreds of service members assigned to military units in Puerto Rico celebrated the Armed Forces Day by participating in a 2.5 mile run around the military installation May 15.
"Today we honor and recognize the sacrifice of all the citizens who serve in the U.S. armed forces in direct support to the needs of the nation," said Col. Hector M. Moran, 1st Mission Support Command, U.S. Army Reserve-Puerto Rico chief of staff.
Retired Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth O. Preston, who was on base to speak during the Retiree Appreciation Day, also participated in the run.
Armed Forces Day is observed around the United States as a way to pay tribute to past and present members of the armed forces and to demonstrate the unity and common purpose of the armed forces in fulfillment of our national security requirements.
All military branches serving in Puerto Rico were represented in the event, to include the U.S. Marines, the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Army. The U.S. Air Force was represented by the Reserve Officers' Training Corps cadets from the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus.
The Armed Forces Day celebration is of great relevance to Puerto Rico due to the long tradition of military service that exists in the U.S. territory.
Since 1917, more than 200,000 American citizens from Puerto Rico have served in the U.S. armed forces, serving in every conflict since World War I.
It is estimated more than 10,000 active duty military personnel from Puerto Rico serve across the branches of the U.S. armed forces.
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