CONNECTICUT (WIREUPDATE.COM) — Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell on Friday proclaimed Saturday May 15, 2010 to be “Armed Forces Day” in the State of Connecticut to recognize, honor, and show appreciation to all service members, past and present, and their families.

Saturday, May 15, 2010 is also National Peace Officers’ Memorial Day, a day designated by President John F. Kennedy in 1962 to honor the law enforcement officers who watch over our neighborhoods and work to make our nation a safer, more peaceful place.

Typically, U.S. and State flags are to be flown at half-staff in honor of National Peace Officers’ Memorial Day. However, Rell ordered that, since Armed Forces Day falls on National Peace Officers’ Memorial Day this year, all flags should remain at full-staff in honor of our Armed Forces.

Rell’s full proclamation can be found below.

WHEREAS, on August 31, 1949, Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson announced the creation of an Armed Forces Day, designating the unification of the Armed Forces under the Department of Defense and honoring military men and women of the United States of America; and

WHEREAS, Armed Forces Day is celebrated in May of each year and this year, 2010, marks the 61st anniversary of Armed Forces Day, a day that honors and recognizes the men and women of our Armed Forces who have served or are currently serving throughout the world as guardians of peace, many of them away from their homes, their friends and their families; and

WHEREAS, it is an honored duty to wear the uniform and to serve in the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, and the State Defense Forces; and

WHEREAS, we continue to fight the Global War on Terror in Iraq and Afghanistan and in other parts of the world, and we continue to protect our homeland and the security that citizens of the United States enjoy today, which are the direct results of our Armed Forces; and

WHEREAS, today our Connecticut men and women in uniform put their lives at risk each day, seeking to secure the blessings of freedom and liberty; and

WHEREAS, the citizens of Connecticut wish to recognize, honor, and show appreciation to all service members, past and present, and their families; now

THEREFORE, I, M. JODI RELL, Governor of the State of Connecticut,
do hereby officially proclaim May 15, 2010, as

Armed Forces Day

in the State of Connecticut.

I urge all our citizens to remember the price of freedom and liberty in the world, the United States, and in the State of Connecticut.