On August 31, 1949, Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson announced the creation of an Armed Forces Day to replace separate Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force Days. The single day celebration stemmed from the unification of the Armed Forces under the Department of Defense.
Since then, all across the nation patriots have been celebrating Armed forces day with local events commemorating the service of our veterans. Miami-Dade, not to be outdone, has its own local celebration:
Local Event: El Portal Village 5k Run; All proceeds go to Wounded Warrior Project
The village will host its annual Armed Forces Day run/walk May 16 beginning with check-ins 7:30 a.m. at Village Hall, 500 NE 87 St. The walk/run starts at 8 a.m.
The run/walk is a three-mile course through El Portal and is for all fitness levels. The fee includes a T-shirt and light refreshments.
Mayor Claudia Cubillos, who initiated the event back in 2009, says it is a great way to pay respect to those who fought for freedom.
“I have a tremendous amount of respect for this country’s veterans as well as our current men and women in uniform and thought it would be great to do this run/walk in their honor,” she said.
Cubillos is married to Noel C. Pace, a colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve.
Councilman Harold Mathis, chairman of the event, echoed Cubillos.
“This event is an opportunity for villagers and others in the surrounding communities to show up and express the appreciation for all members of the armed forces,” he said. “This 5K is a ‘thank you just isn’t enough’ event.”
Cubillos said it is a great opportunity to show appreciation.
“We’ll all be walking in honor of those military members who no longer can and taking 60 minutes or less from our lives to remember those who are not here today and to thank those who are and gave us our freedoms,” she said.
The event also builds a camaraderie between residents and neighbors, she added.
“Aside from being legislators, our responsibility as leaders is to be available to residents, to genuinely listen to their concerns, and with that provide a better quality of life,” she added. “And, I believe that we can and are doing that with this kind of event.”
Details:
▪ What: El Portal Armed Forces Day run/walk
▪ When: Check-in is at 7:30 a.m. May 16 with the event starting at 8 a.m.
▪ Where: Village Hall, 500 NE 87 st., Miami, FL
▪ Cost: Military personnel with identification- free; Residents- $15; non-residents-$20
▪ For information: Call 305-795-7880