Pentagon Celebrates Armed Forces Day

By Rudi Williams
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, May 18, 2000 – Air Force Gen. Richard B. Myers, the new vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, hosted a three-event ceremony at the Pentagon May 17 in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Armed Forces Day.

The ceremony highlighted an award to the first service member to design the Armed Forces Day poster in the 50-year history of the event; the issuance of a U.S. Postal Service special pictorial cancellation and Armed Forces Day cachet; and a ribbon cutting opening a 50th Armed Forces Day anniversary exhibit.

The poster art was designed by Air Force Master Sgt. Douglas J. Sanderson, a team leader and instructor in the basic graphics course at the Defense Information School, Fort Meade, Md. Myers presented the sergeant the Joint Service Commendation Medal in recognition of his winning design.

The U.S. Postal Service printed special business-size cachet envelopes using Sanderson's poster and arranged for a commemorative 50th anniversary Armed Forces Day cancellation.

Luvenia D. Broussard, the Postal Service's Washington customer relations coordinator, said the special cancellation would be offered at the Pentagon from May 17 to May 19 and at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., from May 19 to May 21.

"The cachet is considered a collectible once you receive the postmark," she said. "It represents a very significant time in our lives and history because it honors the people who serve in the military."

Attendees at the ceremony were given 50th anniversary packets stuffed with bookmarks, kitchen magnets, foil- covered 50th anniversary chocolate coins and a 50th anniversary cachet envelope. Some purchased 33-cent 1999 "Honoring Those Who Served" stamps from postal workers, who then applied the 50th anniversary cancellation.

Persons desiring the cancellation but who can't make it to the Pentagon or Andrews can obtain the postmark until June 17 by writing to:

Special Cancellation Unit
900 Brentwood Road, NE
Washington, DC 20066-9998

"You need to indicate that your request is for the 50th anniversary of Armed Forces Day postmark, and you must include your own stamped, self-addressed return envelope," Broussard noted.

Myers and John Nolan, deputy postmaster general, cut a ribbon opening the Pentagon's 50th anniversary of the Armed Forces Day exhibit. The exhibit contains pictures from Armed Forces Day events held around the world over the past 50 years. It depicts the progression of military vehicles, weapons, training and uniforms through the past 50 years.