“When we assumed the Soldier, we did not lay aside the Citizen; and we shall most sincerely rejoice with you in the happy hour when the establishment of American Liberty, upon the most firm and solid foundations shall enable us to return to our Private Stations in the bosom of a free, peacefully and happy Country.” —George Washington (1775)

There are four national days each year when we have the privilege of honoring the military service of our uniformed American Patriots: National Medal of Honor Day (25 March), Armed Forces Day (third Saturday in May), Memorial Day (last Monday in May), and Veterans Day (11 November).

In 1950, President Harry Truman called for establishing a designated day to recognize the extraordinary service and sacrifice of our military personnel. Armed Forces Day consolidated the anniversary observances of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force, following the unification of the service branches under the newly formed Department of Defense.

While The Patriot Post observes and promotes the establishment dates for each of our military service branches, it is fitting that we also set aside a day devoted to the recognition of all our military personnel.

On this third Saturday in May, as millions of American Patriots observe Armed Forces Day, offering due honor and respect for the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen serving our nation, let us remember that their solemn oaths “to support and defend” our Constitution, and our national legacy of American Liberty, are taken at risk of their blood and life.

However, those who have lost friends among their ranks in combat know that their first obligation was not about an oath, but love for their fellow warriors on either side of them.

In 2025, I dedicated a column to “The 250th Anniversary of America’s Armed Forces,” noting that the year marked the 250th anniversary of the 1775 founding of the U.S. Army (14 June), the U.S. Navy (13 October), and the U.S. Marine Corps (10 November). All were established by the Continental Congress during the Revolutionary War for American Liberty.

The Patriot Post stands tall among our nation’s leading advocates for our Armed Forces and their mission. We do this by providing our fellow Americans with the right perspective on that mission, and the demanding tasks our military personnel have carried out for generations, with unfailing courage and professionalism.

I invite you to read our Profiles of Valor on their service and sacrifice. I look forward to writing these weekly profiles because they are a break from the rigors of political and cultural analysis. It is a blessing to focus on the goodness of American Patriots who have served all of us with honor and distinction, at mortal risk to their own lives.

We support our warriors in many ways, including Operation Shield of Strength, through which we have now distributed more than one million Joshua 1:9 dog tags: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

We are also proud to support the National Medal of Honor Heritage Center, the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, both Honoring Their Sacrifice Foundation and Warrior Freedom Service Dogs aiding wounded veterans, Tunnel to Towers Foundation, the National Veterans Entrepreneurship Program, Folds of Honor, Officer Christian Fellowship outreach, the Air University Foundation and Naval War College Foundation, and the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.

Notably, our hometown of Chattanooga, Tennessee, is not only recognized as the city with the longest-running record of Armed Forces Day events, but it is also the Birthplace of the Medal of Honor and home of the National Medal of Honor Heritage Center. The Heritage Center is dedicated to teaching future generations of Americans about the character-trait pillars of the Medal of Honor — traits that are common to all recipients: Courage, Sacrifice, Patriotism, Citizenship, Integrity, and Commitment.

To support our Military Mission of Service and our broader advocacy for what is good and right — please support The Patriot Post.

Thank God for the generations of ordinary citizens who faced extraordinary circumstances and summoned the greatest measures of courage to support and defend our nation. Their example is eternal.

Live your life worthy of their sacrifice.

“Greater love has no one than this, to lay down one’s life for his friends.” (John 15:13)

Join us in daily prayer for our Patriots in uniform standing in harm’s way, and for the families awaiting their safe return. Pray also for our Veterans, First Responders, and their families.

Semper Vigilans Fortis Paratus et Fidelis
Pro Deo et Libertate — 1776

Follow Mark Alexander on X/Twitter.

Please consider a designated gift to support the National Medal of Honor Sustaining Fund’s character education initiatives through Patriot Foundation Trust’s online donor page, or by check payable to “NMoH Sustaining Fund” and mail it to:

Generosity Trust
National MOH Sustaining Fund
345 Frazier Avenue, Unit 205
Chattanooga TN 37405