Armed Forces Day

President Harry Truman proclaimed the first Armed Forces Day on May 20, 1950. Every year since then, on the third Saturday in May we honor the men and women who have served in uniform - in war and in peace - since the nation's founding.

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe  

To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

 -- Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae

For details about this poem, visit this link:  http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/flanders.htm