Traditionally, Armed Forces Day is a period set aside for recognizing and acknowledging the military and civilians who defend our nation, protect our borders and proudly serve and represent us to the world through their military service. Since 1998, the 88th Regional Readiness Command, representing the Army and its Army Reserve, has taken the lead in developing and hosting a military exposition of some nature.
Because of the War on Terrorism, some years the Expo was cancelled due to security concerns. Most years, the Army has been joined by the other military tenants occupying the small Twin Cities Air Reserve Base and Fort Snelling: the U.S. Air Force Reserve, the Minnesota Army and Air National Guard, the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Reserve, the Department of Transportation Coast Guard. Again we also expect that major tenants occupying the Bishop Whipple Federal Building will also join us as well as our neighbors to the north, the U.S. Veterans Administration Regional Medical Center.
The Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans (MACV) has also partnered with the military and federal agencies in support of this grand event. Earlier in the week, military veterans and their families will be invited to come to the Expo grounds to participate in an annual "Stand Down". During the "Stand Down", veterans will be able to obtain a wide variety of support and assistance as well as to have fellowship with their fellow servicemembers -- active, Guard or Reserve -- and their families and friends.
The US Army Reserve’s 100th Birthday celebration is also during 2008, and special activities and events will be built around this year's Expo in order to promote the special occasion.
Overall, the idea of the Expo and the "Stand Down" has always been to inform and educate the community and the State of Minnesota on the role of today's military and its impact on the community and state; to provide a promotional opportunity designed to increase military exposure in the communities we serve; and to continue to improve the positive interaction and networking opportunities between all the Armed Forces, and a wide variety of state and federal organizations in support of and assisting those wearing the uniform or those supporting those wearing the uniform.
This event is important to us -- we try our best to not only provide our best image forward, but we also want to allow many of you the chance to actually spend time with us. We know you are proud of us -- you tell us this all of the time. We would love to return the honor to each of you -- to tell all of you how proud we are of YOUR sacifices, your concern, your love and caring for us whether we served overseas or back here in the States.
That's why we're doing this...and we hope you will come out and help us celebrate!
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