Presidential Documents

Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 97 / Thursday, May 20, 2010 / Presidential Documents 28185 

Proclamation 8522 of May 14, 2010 

Armed Forces Day, 2010 

By the President of the United States of America 

A Proclamation 

America’s Armed Forces represent the very best of our national character. 

They have answered the call to defend our Nation, and their service and 

sacrifice humble us all. On Armed Forces Day, we pay tribute to these 

patriots who risk their lives, sometimes giving their last full measure of 

devotion, to preserve the vision of our forebears and the freedoms we enjoy. 

Our service members carry on the proud traditions of duty and valor that 

have sustained us from our earliest days of independence. Today, we have 

the greatest military force in the history of the world because we have 

the finest personnel in the world. Wherever they are needed, from Iraq 

and Afghanistan to right here at home, they are serving and protecting 

our Nation. 

We owe our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen more 

than our gratitude; we owe them our support. That is why my Administration 

is committed to ensuring they have the strategy, clear mission, and equipment 

they need to get the job done, and the resources they deserve when they 

come home. We are also increasing support for military spouses and families 

who must deal with the stress and separation of war. 

Today, let us raise our flags high to honor the service members who keep 

us safe, as we reaffirm our commitment to fulfill our duty to them. 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, 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, 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 jurisdiction 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, 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 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. I also encourage Americans to volunteer at organizations that 

provide support to our troops. 

Proclamation 8380 of May 14, 2009, is hereby superseded. 


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28186 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 97 / Thursday, May 20, 2010 / Presidential Documents 

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

of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the Independence 

of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth. 

[FR Doc. 2010–12267 

Filed 5–19–10; 8:45 am] 

Billing code 3195–W0–P 


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