Presidential Documents

Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 100 / Tuesday, May 24, 2022 / Presidential Documents 31701 

Proclamation 10400 of May 20, 2022 

Armed Forces Day, 2022 

By the President of the United States of America 

A Proclamation 

On Armed Forces Day, we share our unending appreciation for the proud 

patriots who answer the call to serve, taking the sacred oath to defend 

our Constitution. The brave members of our Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine 

Corps, Space Force, Coast Guard, and National Guard and Reserve forces 

represent the best of our Nation. Today and every day, we honor their 

immeasurable service on behalf of our grateful Nation. 

On this special day of tribute, we recognize the sacrifices that our service 

members and their families make on our behalf, and we recommit to our 

solemn duty to support them as they protect us. Our Nation has a sacred 

obligation to properly equip and prepare our troops when we send them 

in to harm’s way and to support them—both while they are serving abroad 

and when they return home—as well as their families, caregivers, and survivors. We must meet this obligation. 

My Administration’s unity agenda focuses on key issues that bring Americans 

together: supporting our veterans, beating the opioid epidemic, addressing 

our national mental health crisis, and ending cancer as we know it. Each 

of these issues impact our military community, and each is essential to 

meeting our obligation to our troops, their families, caregivers, and survivors. 

Mental health issues pose a real challenge to our service members and 

their families, and my Administration will continue to strengthen the tools, 

resources, and support for our military community so our brave service 

members, who have answered the call to serve, can thrive. This includes 

taking bold action to reduce suicide among service members, veterans, and 

their families. 

The success of our Armed Forces also rests on every member of our military 

community feeling that their safety and ability to prosper is prioritized 

as they defend our Nation. That is why my Administration is so focused 

on addressing the potential adverse consequences related to toxic exposures 

or exposures to other environmental hazards during deployment or in garrison. 

Safety for our troops also means addressing the scourge of sexual harassment 

and sexual assault in our military. We have already taken important steps. 

In December, I was proud to sign into law historic military justice reforms 

as part of the 2022 National Defense Authorization Act. The Department 

of Defense is working to implement these critical changes, alongside recommendations from the Independent Review Commission on Sexual Assault 

in the Military for prevention, climate and culture, and victim care and 

support. Much work still lies ahead to deliver the progress that our troops 

deserve, and this will remain a top priority for my Administration. 

Our diversity is one of our greatest strengths as a Nation, and we will 

continue to strive for our Armed Forces to reflect society at every level 

within its ranks. Ensuring equal opportunity and greater inclusivity will 

bolster the strength of our military and make sure every American knows 

they can succeed and thrive as a member of the United States Armed 

Forces. We are renewing our efforts to address the recruitment, retention, 


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31702 Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 100 / Tuesday, May 24, 2022 / Presidential Documents 

and well-being of women in the military as well as providing a path to 

service for other under-represented groups. 

As we look around the world today, we are reminded again that freedom 

comes at great cost. Throughout our history, brave Americans have always 

stepped forward to defend our liberties—willing to pay the price to keep 

our country safe. Our Nation’s Armed Forces are the best in the world. 

And we know that it is not only the person who wears our Nation’s uniform 

that serves. Their loved ones serve as well. Today, we also honor the 

families, caregivers, and survivors of our Armed Forces—all those who sacrifice on our behalf and who give their all to support the service members 

they stand behind. 

On Armed Forces Day, we salute our brave service members, whose dedication and sacrifice ensure that our Nation’s Armed Forces are unmatched 

in strength, unity, and resilience. They are the greatest fighting force the 

world has ever known. 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States 

of America, and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the United 

States, continuing the precedent of my predecessors in office, do hereby 

proclaim the third Saturday of each May as Armed Forces Day. 

I direct the Secretary of Defense, on behalf of the Army, Navy, Air Force, 

Marine Corps, Space Force, and the Secretary of Homeland Security on 

behalf of the Coast Guard, to plan for appropriate observances each year, 

with the Secretary of Defense responsible for soliciting the participation 

and cooperation of civil authorities and private citizens. I invite the Governors of the States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and other areas 

subject to the jurisdiction of the United States to provide for the observance 

of Armed Forces Day within their respective jurisdictions each year in 

an appropriate manner designed to increase public understanding and appreciation of the Armed Forces of the United States. I also invite veterans, 

civic leaders, and other organizations to join in the observance of Armed 

Forces Day each year. 

Finally, I call upon all Americans to display the flag of the United States 

at their homes and businesses on Armed Forces Day, and I urge citizens 

to learn more about military service by attending and participating in the 

local observances of the day. 

Proclamation 10210 of May 14, 2021, is hereby superseded. 


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Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 100 / Tuesday, May 24, 2022 / Presidential Documents 31703 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twentieth day 

of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-two, and of the 

Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fortysixth. 

[FR Doc. 2022–11322 

Filed 5–23–22; 11:15 am] 

Billing code 3395–F2–P 


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