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. Bob Kasprak==============================A
Proclamation on Armed Forces Day, 2021 | The White House
