Since 1950, the third Saturday in May has been “Armed Forces Day.”

LEWISTON – Veterans from all area organizations and the public are invited to attend the annual Armed Forces Day at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 17, at the Veterans Memorial Park on the Lewiston side of the James B. Longley Memorial Bridge.

In 1950 the president of the United States proclaimed the third Saturday in May as “Armed Forces Day,” which marks the unification of military services and the creation of the Department of Defense as provided for the National Security Act of 1947.

Designed to replace the individual celebration of the respective services Armed Forces Day is intended to symbolize unification and demonstrate the close working relationship of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and Reserves.

The program will be as follows: Pledge of Allegiance by assembly; “Star Spangled Banner” by the assembly; invocation, the Rev. Donald Miller, commander, U.S. Navy Chaplains; reading of special proclamation for the occasion by Jerry DerBoghosian; guest speaker, to be announced; special prayers for those presently serving in the Armed Forces; “Taps”; and singing of “God Bless America.”

For more information call Jerry DerBoghosian at 782-5700 or 353-7435.