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Armed Forces Day

  • Published
  • By Col. Al Hunt
  • 375th Airlift Wing commander
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  This Saturday the nation will celebrate Armed Forces Day. The day was established on Aug. 31, 1949 by then Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson in recognition of the unification of the service branches under the Department of Defense.

Armed Forces Day also brought national attention to the men and women in uniform. It created a day to pause and thank the Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen and Coast Guardsmen responsible for defending America and its freedoms.

For the communities surrounding Scott Air Force Base, Armed Forces Day is celebrated not just for one day in May. Instead, communities and organizations throughout the greater St. Louis metropolitan area demonstrate their appreciation for the military every day, 365 days a year.

The Belle-Scott Committee is one such organization that provides unconditional support, friendship and loyalty to Joint Total Force Scott personnel, and has done so for 58 years. In addition to providing toys for the base's yearly Holiday Cheer campaign and helping with contributions to the air show, the Belle-Scott Committee this Thursday hosted its annual Enlisted Dinner through which committee members and the general public honored JTF Scott's enlisted corps with a complimentary evening of food and entertainment. This year, more than 150 JTF Scott servicemembers participated.

Another organization that demonstrates its support throughout the year is the USO of Missouri. The USO's sole mission is to care for service members and their families to include those assigned to JTF Scott.

Two weekends ago, the USO was the beneficiary of a great fundraising effort sponsored by Rams quarterback Marc Bulger, radio talk show host Dave Glover and former Iranian hostage Rocky Sickmann. Together, they raised more than a quarter million dollars to renovate the USO lounge at Lambert Airport.

It just goes to show the level of support we receive as servicemembers from local celebrities. Without it, organizations like the USO couldn't support the troops and their families as they did last weekend when the USO hosted its annual day at the zoo. Attendees received free breakfast and Safari Passes that granted unlimited access to area like the children's zoo and the sea lion show.

The USO of Missouri also recently started a new program here for our children. Before parents deploy, they can now stop by the base library and videotape themselves reading a children's book. The tape and book are then given to their children to help ease the absence of the parent during deployment. This new program was initiated by the USO to address the special needs of military children. It serves as another demonstration of how much they care for us and our families.

The USO of Missouri, like the Belle-Scott Committee, continues to be a valuable supporter to JTF Scott. These organizations, however, are not alone.

Other communities like the city and chamber of O'Fallon also do their share. Hosting the 14th Annual Salute to Scott Picnic on June 14 at the O'Fallon Community Park, they will set up a day of free food and activities for all of JTF Scott. In addition, the city of Mascoutah will host JTF Scott during their annual 4th of July celebration with great fun, entertainment and fireworks.

There are also JTF Scott supporters who come from further away. On Tuesday afternoon, JTF Scott will welcome five NCAA head coaches from the University of Notre Dame, the University of Miami, Auburn University, Yale University and the University of Georgia. These coaches will make a stop here to meet JTF Scott personnel and to learn what we do before departing on their way to forward deployed locations to visit with the troops.

As coaches to top NCAA football teams, these five men are in positions of influence to help tell not only JTF Scott's story but also the stories of the men and women who serve throughout our Armed Forces.

When Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson first established Armed Force Day, the day was designed in part to celebrate service men and women. The intent of the day was also to focus the nation's attention on those in uniform, to educate the public about what they do and what they sacrifice. The visit by these NCAA coaches mirrors the goal of Armed Forces Day set nearly 59 years ago.

Former Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara once said, "The support of an informed American people is increasingly important to the Armed Forces in these days of rapid technological advance, quick reaction time and grave threat to our freedom. I, therefore, encourage members of the DoD to observe Armed Forces Day by informing the American people of our 'Power for Peace' and by confirming their faith that in our strength we will remain free."

The sentiments of Secretary of Defense McNamara could not ring more true today. Educating the public about our duties and our sacrifices is integral to garnering their support. Mission accomplishment lies directly in the public hands and their willingness to stand beside, behind and in front of our service men and women - as advocates, supporters, friends and confidants.

With Armed Forces Day in mind, I salute my fellow uniformed brothers and sisters and thank the public both near and far for their steadfast support. Happy Armed Forces Day to all and thanks to all JTF Scott personnel for their daily contributions!