Army Day

Army Day. A day set aside to render suitable honor to the Army of the United States in all its component parts —the Reserve, the National Guard, and the Regular Army—and to its veterans who are now civilians. Army Day was inaugurated by the Military Order of the World Wars on 6 April 1928. and was recognized by Congress in 1937.

This day, until 1948, was observed by joint civilian-military ceremonies and parades throughout the United States, with Army components and veterans’ organizations participating. Since the designation of "Armed Forces Day,” Army Day has been less generally celebrated.

It is a pleasure for me to extend to you. General Bradley, and to the men and women of the United States Army, the greetings of the United States Air Force on this Army Day, 1949.

The history of our Army is a proud record of military achievement. From 1776 through World War II the United States Army has fought with firmness in the right. It has established a tradition of devotion to duty and sacrifice for country that inspires soldier, sailor, and airman alike.

The Nation remains confident that the United States Army will carry on its mission with the high distinction that has marked its illustrious path.

-- Hoyt S. Vandenberg, General, USAF, Chief of Staff

APRIL 6, by congressional resolution, has been set aside as "Army Day" to commemorate the contributions of the United States Army toward helping to build and develop our Nation and in safeguarding the democratic ideals and the American way of life. This year. Army Day is in honor of all Army men who served their country in the past; and the day also represents a salute to the "new" Army for what it has done to benefit the individual soldier and the country.

What's new in the new Army? Modern weapons and equipment, the latest in radar and electronic devices, and streamlined administration and training programs are being constantly tested to keep the Army way of doing things up to date.

The soldier isn't new. He's still the finest of American youth — patriotic, ambitious, intelligent — an important cog in our security set-up. On him rests so much of the responsibility of keeping the peace. In spite of the constant teamwork in the Army, today's soldier never loses his identity as an individual. His personal dignity is considered at all times and he is not merely a serial number in a huge index system.

Proud of his American citizenship, the soldier of today boasts with good reason of his profession as an Army man. He is pan of a great career program that equals or surpasses many career fields in civilian life. His mental approach to military duty is the proof of the value of a comprehensive educational program in the new Army. Today's soldier knows his value to his Nation, his worth to himself, and how he fits into the big picture of American military preparedness.

Thousands of our eager soldiers are earning high school diplomas and college credits through off-duty study in the United States Armed Forces Institute. The American soldier wants to keep learning and his Army is providing him with a definite program of self-improvement.

The Army makes few — but important — demands upon its men. It insists that devotion to country, a strict personal code of honor, and ambition and eagerness be part of a man's make-up. If the soldier possesses these attributes and has the will to learn, the Army will set before him a program of personal and technical advancement through training and education, through service and ability. Today's recruits, many of them, will be among the leaders of tomorrow — both in civil and in military life.

Three avenues of entrance into the Army are open to those men and women who qualify physically and mentally. Most of them enter service through basic training centers where they start their careers as recruits. Others don uniforms at the United States Military Academy or the Army Officer Candidate Schools.

Once their training in any of these starting points is completed, the new officers, soldiers, and Wacs join seasoned troops either in the Army Field Forces or in the units which provide the administrative and technical services that support the combat arms.

Doctors, nurses, lawyers, and clergymen may join the Army direct from civilian life. Many of them attend an Army school in their professional status before going on duty with Army units.

"Peace Is America's Most Important Business" and the men and women of today's new Army are shouldering ponsibility to help keep that peace. It's a peace hard-won many of the present-day servicemen. It’s their peace and peace, perhaps, of generations to come.

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