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Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa service members perform sit-ups during enlisted physical training at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, May 15, 2015.

Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa service members perform sit-ups during enlisted physical training at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, May 15, 2015. (Nesha Humes/U.S. Air Force photo)

Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa service members perform sit-ups during enlisted physical training at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, May 15, 2015.

Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa service members perform sit-ups during enlisted physical training at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, May 15, 2015. (Nesha Humes/U.S. Air Force photo)

A Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa service member highlights a Medal of Honor recipient during enlisted physical training at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, May 15, 2015. In honor of Memorial Day, physical training leaders showcased past and present heros at each PT station.

A Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa service member highlights a Medal of Honor recipient during enlisted physical training at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, May 15, 2015. In honor of Memorial Day, physical training leaders showcased past and present heros at each PT station. (Nesha Humes/ U.S. Air Force photo)

Team Holloman members and their dependents participate in the Art Blast Color 5K Run at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., May 16, 2015. The Domenici Fitness Center hosts monthly fun runs to help boost morale and get members of Team Holloman enthused about getting and staying fit.

Team Holloman members and their dependents participate in the Art Blast Color 5K Run at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., May 16, 2015. The Domenici Fitness Center hosts monthly fun runs to help boost morale and get members of Team Holloman enthused about getting and staying fit. (E’Lysia A. Wray/ U.S. Air Force photo)

Members of the Steel Talons Honor Guard present the colors to kick off the local Armed Forces Day Celebration at Alamogordo, N.M., May 16, 2015. Created by Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson in 1949, Armed Forces Day is a single-day celebration to pay special tribute to the men and women of the armed forces.

Members of the Steel Talons Honor Guard present the colors to kick off the local Armed Forces Day Celebration at Alamogordo, N.M., May 16, 2015. Created by Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson in 1949, Armed Forces Day is a single-day celebration to pay special tribute to the men and women of the armed forces. (Bryant Davis/U.S. Air Force photo)

Holloman Air Force Base’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit provided equipment for a static display at the local Armed Forces Day Celebration at Alamogordo, N.M., May 16, 2015. Created by Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson in 1949, Armed Forces Day is a single-day celebration to pay special tribute to the men and women of the armed forces.

Holloman Air Force Base’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit provided equipment for a static display at the local Armed Forces Day Celebration at Alamogordo, N.M., May 16, 2015. Created by Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson in 1949, Armed Forces Day is a single-day celebration to pay special tribute to the men and women of the armed forces. (Bryant Davis/U.S. Air Force photo)

The mayor of Alamogordo, Susie Galea, visits with members of Holloman Air Force Base’s Security Forces Squadron at the local Armed Forces Day Celebration at Alamogordo, N.M., May 16, 2015. Created by Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson in 1949, Armed Forces Day is a single-day celebration to pay special tribute to the men and women of the armed forces.

The mayor of Alamogordo, Susie Galea, visits with members of Holloman Air Force Base’s Security Forces Squadron at the local Armed Forces Day Celebration at Alamogordo, N.M., May 16, 2015. Created by Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson in 1949, Armed Forces Day is a single-day celebration to pay special tribute to the men and women of the armed forces. (Bryant Davis/U.S. Air Force photo)

Sgt. 1st Class Betsy Cuevas, Human Resources Noncommisioned officer assigned to the 448th Engineer Battalion, U.S. Army Reserve-Puerto Rico, keeps the soldiers on step by singing cadences, during the 2015 Armed Forces Run at Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico, May 15, 2015.

Sgt. 1st Class Betsy Cuevas, Human Resources Noncommisioned officer assigned to the 448th Engineer Battalion, U.S. Army Reserve-Puerto Rico, keeps the soldiers on step by singing cadences, during the 2015 Armed Forces Run at Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico, May 15, 2015. (Carlene Vera/ U.S. Army photo)

Hundreds of service members assigned to military units in Puerto Rico celebrated the Armed Forces Day, by participating in a 2.5 Mile Run around the military installation, May 15.

Hundreds of service members assigned to military units in Puerto Rico celebrated the Armed Forces Day, by participating in a 2.5 Mile Run around the military installation, May 15. (Carlene E. Vera/ U.S. Army photo)

Military bases around the U.S. commemorated Armed Forces Day on May 16.

The day was established by President Harry S. Truman and then-Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson in 1949 as a way to honor those serving in the military.

Currently, the day also corresponds with as the opening to Armed Forces Week.

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