Armed Forces Day Quotes 2017: 10 Sayings To Honor Military Heroes For Their Service

Armed Forces Day is celebrated every year on the third Saturday of May. President Harry S. Truman started commemorating this day to honor and pay tribute to military heroes for their patriotic service in support of the United States of America. This year's Armed Forces Day is being celebrated in the U.S. this Saturday.

The first official Armed Forces Day was observed in 1950 and was themed “Teamed For Defense,” following the creation of the Department of Defense in 1949, which put all of the branches of the Armed Forces – the Air Force, the Army, the Coast Guard, Marine Corps and the Navy - under one department.

In a speech announcing the first Armed Forces Day, President Harry Truman said the day “marks the first combined demonstration by America's defense team of its progress…towards the goal of readiness for any eventuality. It is the first parade of preparedness by the unified forces of our land, sea, and air defense.”

Read: Memorial Day 2016 Quotes: 20 Sayings To Honor The Armed Forces

Events during this day include large parades, motorcycle rides with music and military air shows.

In honor of the soldiers and their day, here are 10 quotes and sayings that celebrate Armed Forces Day.

“This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.” — Elmer Davis

“Our Armed Forces and our national defense system represent a judicious investment of the nation’s resources in the cause of peace. The return on this investment, in terms of national strength, shows the determination of the American people to preserve our way of life and to give hope to all who seek peace with freedom and justice.” — Former Secretary of Defense Neil McElroy

“To lead uninstructed people to war is to throw them away.” — Confucius

“How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes!” — Maya Angelou

“My heroes are those who risk their lives every day to protect our world and make it a better place - police, firefighters and members of our armed forces.” — Sidney Sheldon

“The cost of freedom is always high, but Americans have always paid it. And one path we shall never choose, and that is the path of surrender, or submission.” — Former President John F. Kennedy

“Honor to the Soldier, and Sailor everywhere, who bravely bears his country’s cause. Honor also to the citizen who cares for his brother in the field, and serves, as he best can, the same cause – honor to him, only less than to him, who braves, for the common good, the storms of heaven and the storms of battle.” — Former President Abraham Lincoln

“No other country in the world does what we do. On every issue, the world turns to us, not simply because of the size of our economy or our military might – but because of the ideals we stand for, and the burdens we bear to advance them.” — Former President Barack Obama

“People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.” — George Orwell

“Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.” — Mark Twain