White House Press Release, Army Day 1948

IMMEDIATE RELEASE MARCH 1, 1948 ARMY DAY, 1948 BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A PROCLAMATION WHEREAS the Army of the United States is a mighty shield of our Nation in war and the faithful servant of our people in time of peace; and WHEREAS the tasks entrusted to the Army are vital to the establishment of a durable peace; and WHEREAS Senate Concurrent Resolution 5, 75th Congress, lst Session, which was agreed to by the House of Representatives on March 16, 1937 (50 Stat. 1108), provides: "That April 6 of. each year be recognized by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America as Army Day, and that the President of the United States be requested, as Commander in Chief, to order military units through- out the United States to assist civic bodies in appropriate celebration to such extent as he may deem advisable; to issue a proclamation each year declaring April 6 as Army Day, and in such procla- TRUMAN mations to invite the Governors of the various States to issue Army Day proclamations: Provided, S. ARCHIVES "MATIONAL SERVICE" RECORDS AND That in the event April 6 falls on Sunday, the following Monday shall be recognized as Army Day": is COVERAGE NOW, THEREFORE, I, HARRY S. TRUMAN, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim Tuesday, April 6, 1948, as Army Day, in order that we may accord appropriate recognition to our Army, which throughout our history has preserved our way of life by conspicuous skill and gallantry. I also invite the Governors of the several States to issue proclamations for the celebration of this day in such manner as to render suitable honor to the Army of the United States in all its component parts--the Organized Reserves, the National Guard, and the Regular Army--and to the millions of Arny veterans who have returned to civilian pursuits. In these critical times, I urge my fellow citizens to remember that an alert and ready America is a mighty power for peace and a beacon of hope to the peoples of the world who would be free. If our soldiers who are on duty in foreign lands are to represent American democracy proudly and successfully, they must know that they have the wholehearted support of our people. I therefore commend to all Americans appropriate and sympathotic observance of Army Day as a token of special honor to the soldiers and veterans of our Army, at home and in foreign lands. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States of America to be affixed. (OVER)