Armed Forces Day in May: What Exactly is the Price of Freedom?

Some Ideas to Honor Our Fighting Soldiers on May 17, 2008

The original purpose of Armed Forces Day was to provide "educational programs for civilians" about the Armed Forces. At the first Armed Forces Day event in 1950, leaders gathered from around the country to honor members of all branches of the Armed Forces:

"The heritage of freedom must be guarded as carefully in peace as it was in war. Faith, not suspicion, must be the key to our relationships. Sacrifice, not selfishness, must be the eternal price of liberty. Vigilance, not appeasement, is the byword of living freedoms. Our Armed Forces in 1950--protecting the peace, building for security with freedom--are "Teamed for Defense ..."

General Omar N. Bradley
Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

"Why would someone want to do that?"

The first Armed Forces Day I remember honoring our fighting men and women who risk their lives to preserve our freedoms was when I was 10 years old. We went to an Armed Forces Day event in El Paso where the Blue Angels performed at Fort Bliss. I didn't realize then, exactly what it meant to "give your life to preserve freedom." When I was 10 years old, all I wondered was "Why would someone want to do that?"

"Glad I don't have to worry about that today."

In elementary school, you learn about America's history, the brave and wise Founding Fathers of our country, the wars that led to our country's independence, and all those heroic efforts that made us who we are today. At 10 years old you think, "Glad I don't have to worry about that today." What became painfully clear as I grew older is that we DO have to defend our freedom every day of our life.

"There is no price high enough."

It wasn't until I turned 18 years old and enlisted in the Air Force to get out of El Paso, that I learned the real meaning of Patriotism, Honor, Heroism, Freedom, and Sacrifice. The first Armed Forces Day was held on May 20, 1950 in a proclamation by President Harry Truman to nationally salute those men and women in all branches of service who protect our country and our lives. I learned in the military that there is no price high enough to put on a fighting man or woman who risks their life for us.

Learn About the Price of Freedom