Armed Forces Day

I think it’s pretty cool that there’s a day set aside each year just to recognize what is arguably Elvis Costello’s greatest album.

Oh c’mon! I’m just kidding. I served my time in the U.S. military and I know what Armed Forces Day is. It’s probably too late in the day for most of you to run out and do anything to mark the occasion, but just take a sec this evening and appreciate the men and women who are serving in the Armed Forces.

Some background, in case you don’t know: On Aug. 31, 1949, Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson announced the creation of an Armed Forces Day to replace separate Army, Navy, and Air Force Days. The single-day celebration stemmed from the unification of the Armed Forces under one department – the Department of Defense.

“This is the day on which we have the welcome opportunity to pay special tribute to the men and women of the Armed Forces ... to all the individuals who are in the service of their country all over the world,” wrote the New York Times in a 1952 article. “Armed Forces Day won't be a matter of parades and receptions for a good many of them. They will all be in line of duty and some of them may give their lives in that duty.”

But I do have a song from Elvis Costello’s 1979 Armed Forces album. Or actually it’s a track that was originally included on a bonus 45 that came with the vinyl release, then added onto the CD re-release.

Watching the Detectives (live).mp3

Labels: holiday, live music, punk

posted by aikin @ 6:25 PM