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Obama Proclaims May 19 Armed Forces Day

President Barack Obama

DOD graphic by Souheil Mechlawi

President Barack Obama has proclaimed May 19, 2012, Armed Forces Day - a day to pay tribute to the "unparalleled service" of America's service members, noting they comprise "the greatest force for freedom and security the world has ever known." Obama also acknowledged the contributions of troops' family members in the proclamation released May 18, 2012.

Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta

Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta

Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

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Featured Photos

  • Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for East Asia and Asia Pacific Security Affairs David Helvey briefs the media on the Defense Department’s report to Congress on “Military and Security Developments Involving the People's Republic of China 2012” in the Pentagon, May 18, 2012. DOD photo by Glenn Fawcett
  • Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta, far left, Army Secretary John M. McHugh and Army Chief of Staff Ray Odierno present a framed photo and the award citation to Rose Mary Sabo-Brown, widow of Medal of Honor recipient Army Spc. 4 Leslie H. Sabo Jr., and George Sabo, Sabo's brother, during a ceremony to induct the Vietnam-era soldier into the Hall of Heroes at the Pentagon, May 17, 2012. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Teddy Wade
  • Rose Mary Sabo-Brown, widow of Medal of Honor recipient Army Spc. 4 Leslie H. Sabo Jr., and George Sabo, Sabo's brother, receive a framed picture and letter honoring Sabo as defense leaders posthumously induct the Vietnam-era soldier into the Hall of Heroes at the Pentagon, May 17, 2012. Army Secretary John M. McHugh, far left, and Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ray Odierno participated in the ceremony. DOD photo by Glenn Fawcett
  • Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta presents the Medal of Honor Flag to Rose Mary Sabo-Brown, widow of Army Medal of Honor recipient Army Spc. 4 Leslie H. Sabo Jr., and George Sabo, brother of Leslie Sabo, during the ceremony to posthumously induct the Vietnam-era soldier into the Hall of Heroes at the Pentagon May 17, 2012. DOD photo by Glenn Fawcett
  • Navy Adm. James A. Winnefeld Jr., vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, addresses the graduating class of 27 midshipmen from The George Washington University Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps before commissioning them during a ceremony at the Iwo Jima Memorial in Arlington, Va., May 18, 2012. More than 200 family and friends joined the Navy and Marine Corps graduates and senior leaders at the event. DOD photo by Air Force Master Sgt. Chuck Marsh
  • Fellow Marines help to pin on the 2nd Lieutenant rank to University of Maryland ROTC graduate Shari Aletha Peters during a commissioning ceremony at the Iwo Jima Memorial in Arlington, Va., May 18, 2012. Navy Adm. James A. Winnefeld, Jr., vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, administered the commissioning oath to the graduating class of 27 midshipmen from The George Washington University Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps. DOD photo by Air Force Master Sgt. Chuck Marsh
  • Midshipmen from The George Washington University Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps stand at attention before being commissioned by Navy Adm. James A. Winnefeld Jr., vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, during a ceremony at the Iwo Jima Memorial in Arlington, Va., May 18, 2012. More than 200 family and friends joined the Navy and Marine Corps graduates and senior leaders at the event. DOD photo by Air Force Master Sgt. Chuck Marsh
  • U.S. Army 1st Lt. Randal Krebs provides security as members of the Provincial Reconstruction Team Kunar staff conduct quality checks and speak to Afghan citizens as part of a patrol in Afghanistan's Kunar province, May 12, 2012. Krebs, a platoon leader, is assigned to Provincial Reconstruction Team Kunar, security force element, and is deployed from Company A, 1st Battalion, 143rd Infantry, Airborne. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Christopher Marasky
  • U.S Air Force Staff Sgt. Shirly Polk, a member of the International Security Assistance Force headquarters volunteer community relations program, banters with Maria, 4, during a donation mission at the Mother Teresa orphanage in Kabul, Afghanistan, May 10, 2012. International Security Assistance Force photo by Maitre Christian Valverde, French Navy
  • A U.S. Naval Academy freshman, or plebe, carries his classmate during the academy's annual Sea Trials in Annapolis, Md., May 15, 2012. The endurance exercise for the academy's freshmen also serves as a leadership challenge for upper classmen, who direct each event. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Alexia Riveracorrea
  • U.S. Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Ebrima Jagne signals the distance of an ammunition load aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington during a replenishment-at-sea mission in the Pacific Ocean, May 15, 2012. The George Washington successfully completed a six-month, routine maintenance period and is now underway conducting sea trials. U.S. Navy photo by Seaman Brian H. Abel
  • Air Force Staff Sgt. Evan Kidd performs a magnetic particle inspection on bolts used on a C-17 Globemaster III at Joint Base Charleston, S.C., May 9, 2012. The inspection tests for fractures in the metal. Kidd is a non-destructive inspector with the 437th Maintenance Squadron. U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Dennis Sloan
  • An F/A-18C Hornet launches from the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln under way in the Arabian Sea, May 17, 2012. The Abraham Lincoln is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility conducting maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts and support missions . U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Carlos M. Vazquez II
  • Army Staff Sgt. Janelle Flottmeyer holds her nephew during the welcome home ceremony for her unit at Riggs High School in Pierre, S.D., May 12, 2012. Flottmeyer is assigned to the 200th Engineer Company, South Dakota Army National Guard. The unit completed a year-long deployment to Afghanistan. U.S. Army photo by Maj. Anthony Deiss

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