FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. (May 26, 2011) - Fort Meade celebrated Armed Forces Day with its annual Joint Services Installation Run on Friday.
This year's national theme for Armed Forces Day was "United in Strength." President Harry S. Truman, the 33rd president of the United States from 1945-1953, initially led the effort to establish a single holiday for citizens to come together and thank our military members for their patriotic service in support of the country.
On Aug. 31, 1949, Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson announced the creation of Armed Forces Day to replace separate Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force days. The single-day celebration stemmed from the unification of the armed forces under one department -- the Department of Defense.
In the United States, Armed Forces Day is celebrated each year on the third Saturday in May.
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