President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has by proclamation declared Wednesday, February 11, as Armed Forces Day and is to be observed throughout the country as a National Holiday.
The proclamation is in consonance with an Act of the National Legislature of Liberia which declared the 11th day of February each year as Armed Forces Day in recognition of the vital role of the AFL in defending Liberia’s territorial integrity.
According to a Foreign Ministry release, the proclamation orders all military and paramilitary organizations to organize and execute appropriate programs, parades and ceremonies in recognition of the day.
According to the proclamation, special attention and honor are to be given to the veterans of the Army and the Coastguard who have seen active and experienced actual service therein.
The proclamation has further directed that all government offices, public and business houses be closed during the observance.
The release also states that the government recognizes the talents, services, patriotism, loyalty and gallantry of men and women of the army who are now memorialized for the upkeep of country’s noble heritage through the setting up of the Department Of Veteran Affairs by an Act of Legislature on July 22, 2008.
The proclamation further noted that the observance of the event will teach the sense of loyalty and patriotism to citizens and recognize the immense services rendered by the gallant men and women of the AFL for the protection of a free and democratic state.