Armed Forces Day

"As you go about your day, thank your colleagues, friends, and family who have taken an oath for America and you."

When President Harry Truman announced the creation of Armed Forces Day in 1949, he praised the work of the military services at home and across the seas. He said, "It is vital to the security of the nation and to the establishment of a desirable peace."

The world has changed dramatically since then, and so have our threats and adversaries. As we all navigate the current, unprecedented time of COVID-19, the impact it's had on our daily lives and the uncertainty it brings, I have found it easy to become sidetracked. It's easy to be so focused on what's changing that we forget some things have remained constant. Our armed forces are still working each day to secure our great nation and to establish a desirable peace. As we approach this third Saturday in May, Armed Forces Day, I want to be sure we remember and recognize those who have served and are currently serving.

I am honored to be a part of this group as a former U.S. Navy submarine officer. My time in the U.S. Navy was a rich and rewarding experience, educating me on nuclear technology, providing me rigorous training of shipboard operations, and developing me as a professional and a leader. My experience instilled in me a strong sense of mission that was supported by a value-based culture.

Integrity, trust, teamwork, respect, and excellence were constantly reinforced and grounded in my actions, behaviors, and decisions.

With these same values providing the foundation for our work at Pantex and Y-12, and with the nuclear deterrent as the core of U.S. national security posture, it's not surprising that so many of our colleagues are former or current members of the armed forces. Our values are strong, our purpose is clear, and our mission is significant!

As you go about your day, thank your colleagues, friends, and family who have taken an oath for America and you. Let them know you appreciate the sacrifices they or their children have made or continue to make every day. For without them, America would not, could not, be the symbol of freedom and liberty around the world that it is today.

Elmer Davis, news broadcaster and director of the U.S. Office of War Information during World War II, said, "This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave." May we all remember his sentiment and appreciate those brave men and women who join our armed forces.

Ted Sherry
Vice President, Performance Excellence