Armed Forces Day, 2024

This proclamation designates the third Saturday of each May as Armed Forces Day, honoring U.S. military service members and their families. It directs the Secretaries of Defense and Homeland Security to plan annual observances, invites state governors and civic organizations to participate, and calls on Americans to display the flag. The proclamation supersedes the prior year's Armed Forces Day proclamation (Proclamation 10585).

Federal Register Open PDF 89 FR 44907

Impact dates

Date TBD
Armed Forces Day observance (third Saturday of May each year)

Key directives

Secretary of Defense to plan appropriate observances for Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Space Force
Secretary of Homeland Security to plan appropriate observances for Coast Guard
Secretary of Defense to solicit participation and cooperation of civil authorities and private citizens
Governors of States, Puerto Rico, and other U.S. jurisdictions invited to provide for observance
veterans, civic leaders, and other organizations invited to join observance
all Americans called upon to display U.S. flag at homes and businesses on Armed Forces Day
citizens urged to attend and participate in local observances

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

annual observance designation continues
flag display encouraged for third Saturday of May 2024

Near term (90d)

Armed Forces Day observance on third Saturday of May 2024

Long term

continuing annual Armed Forces Day observances on third Saturday of each May

Risks & tensions

None flagged.