[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 95 (Wednesday, May 19, 2021)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 27017-27018]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-10687]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 95 / Wednesday, May 19, 2021 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 27017]]


                Proclamation 10210 of May 14, 2021

                
Armed Forces Day, 2021

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                On Armed Forces Day, we honor and offer our profound 
                appreciation and gratitude to the patriots who are 
                serving in our Nation's Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine 
                Corps, Space Force, and Coast Guard. Their 
                professionalism and unwavering dedication to supporting 
                and defending our Constitution has been vital in 
                allowing our democracy to flourish, safeguarding peace 
                and growing prosperity for our citizens, and giving 
                hope to oppressed peoples or those facing tyranny 
                abroad. Less than one percent of Americans serve on 
                active duty in the Armed Forces. Those who do volunteer 
                to put their lives on the line to protect our country 
                and democracy wherever they are called to serve. 
                Whether they are Active Duty, National Guard, or in the 
                Reserve, they are true American heroes, and we all owe 
                them.

                Our military members do not swear allegiance to an 
                individual, group, or political party. Their oath is to 
                the United States Constitution. By bringing together 
                people from different races, religions, and sexual 
                orientations and melding them into a cohesive fighting 
                force, our military embodies the promise of our 
                democratic experiment. My Administration is determined 
                to foster an environment that empowers our Armed Forces 
                and improves retention and promotion of the best 
                talent, to strengthen military readiness. Any ideology, 
                actions, or influences that seek to undermine this 
                solidarity must be exposed and eliminated.

                The unmatched strength of the United States Armed 
                Forces reflects our greatest strength as a people, our 
                diversity. Our military has proven--time and time 
                again--that the insistent pursuit of greater inclusion 
                and equality makes us a more robust, more resilient, 
                and more powerful Nation. As we pay tribute to those 
                who serve, we acknowledge our continuing obligation to 
                ensure that all qualified and willing Americans who 
                wish to serve in the United States Armed Forces are 
                able to do so openly and free from discrimination.

                My Administration is committed to confronting and 
                driving out sexual assault and harassment, so that all 
                members of the Armed Services feel safe and welcome in 
                the ranks. We will improve retention and promotion of 
                our best talent by using a single standard, one based 
                on excellence.

                The Biden family knows personally that the burden of 
                service does not fall solely on those who wear a 
                uniform. Our military family members also serve our 
                country and make great sacrifices to support their 
                loved ones. They give their best to their service 
                members, and we must give our best to ensuring military 
                families have what they need to thrive. This is a 
                national security imperative that supports military 
                retention and readiness, and my Administration is 
                committed to supporting policies that promote the well-
                being of our war fighters and their families.

                Through the First Lady's work with Joining Forces, the 
                White House has committed to supporting military and 
                veteran families, caregivers, and survivors through 
                economic and entrepreneurship opportunities, support 
                for military child education, and health and well-being 
                resources. Joining Forces will continue to convene and 
                collaborate with Federal agency partners, non-profit 
                organizations, corporate stakeholders, and service 
                providers to

[[Page 27018]]

                develop comprehensive, meaningful, and long-term 
                solutions to address the holistic well-being of 
                military and veteran families, caregivers, and 
                survivors.

                The United States Armed Forces are the greatest 
                fighting force in the history of the world. They defend 
                universal values and advance the cause of freedom 
                around the globe. On this day, we salute and show 
                gratitude for all who serve and commit to ensuring our 
                Armed Forces remain strong, united, and unmatched.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of 
                the United States of America, and Commander in Chief of 
                the Armed Forces of the United States, continuing the 
                precedent of my predecessors in office, do hereby 
                proclaim the third Saturday of each May as Armed Forces 
                Day.

                I direct the Secretary of Defense on behalf of the 
                Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, and 
                the Secretary of Homeland Security on behalf of the 
                Coast Guard, to plan for appropriate observances each 
                year, with the Secretary of Defense responsible for 
                soliciting the participation and cooperation of civil 
                authorities and private citizens. I invite the 
                Governors of the States, the Commonwealth of Puerto 
                Rico, and other areas subject to the jurisdiction of 
                the United States, to provide for the observance of 
                Armed Forces Day within their jurisdiction each year in 
                an appropriate manner designed to increase public 
                understanding and appreciation of the Armed Forces of 
                the United States. I also invite veterans, civic 
                leaders, and other organizations to join in the 
                observance of Armed Forces Day each year.

                Finally, I call upon all Americans to display the flag 
                of the United States at their homes and businesses on 
                Armed Forces Day, and I urge citizens to learn more 
                about military service by attending and participating 
                in the local observances of the day.

                Proclamation 10034 of May 15, 2020, is hereby 
                superseded.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                fourteenth day of May, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand twenty-one, and of the Independence of the 
                United States of America the two hundred and forty-
                fifth.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2021-10687
Filed 5-18-21; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3295-F1-P