Folks we’re looking for your input and feedback on the below proposal.  Please let us know what you think by adding a comment below.

###############PROPOSAL###########################

Jimmy Taylor has made the suggestion to Fred O’Hern and John Greer that the AMMO Veterans and AMMO Chief Associations co-sponsor and select a name / title and date for a worldwide “AMMO Day.” Initial reactions have been generally in favor of this initiative. The ACA Board of Directors (BOD) has suggested “AMMO Awareness Day” as the name to be given the occasion with the date for its implementation still under consideration.

In Jimmy’s words – – “AMMO Day” would essentially be a day on which Ammo Troops would get together for a social and fun day, ranging from BBQs, softball games, beer calls, and maybe something as simple as inviting the Ammo Troops in your neighborhood to share a beer at the local VFW.”

With the number of AMMO social events already on the calendar for the rest of this year, we anticipate a start date sometime in the Spring or Summer of 2018.

Fred suggested we consider Armed Forces Day (third Saturday in May) as it would be in line with the creation of the Ordnance Department on 14 May, 1812.

Bart Ivy has suggested either the 1st Saturday in July to line up with the creation of the Army Air Force (AAF) Ammunition Career Field in 1945 or the 1st Saturday in March to coincide with the creation of the Air Force Munitions Career Field in 1953.

Mike Roylance suggested we consider the 4th of December (St. Barbara’s Day) for AMMO Day. (re: St. Barbara’s Day at Wikipedia). Briefly and for your information, Saint Barbara became the patron saint of artillerymen. She is also traditionally the patron of armorers, military engineers, gunsmiths, tunnellers, miners and anyone else who worked with cannon and explosives. She is invoked against thunder and lightning and all accidents arising from explosions of gunpowder. The U.S. Army, Navy and Marines honor this day, as well as many other foreign military ordnance disciplines around the world.

These dates were pulled from background papers / historical documents, some may be debatable but are accurate to the best of our knowledge. Again, any feedback / corrections would be appreciated to either the ACA or to the AVA at Jimmy’s email address. Robert Yeager is also posting this on the ammochiefs.com web site so your comments can be posted there.

Our two organizations shouldn’t designate this events name or annual date for “AMMO Day” without running the proposal by the respective general memberships. That also includes as many other non-member AMMO troops as possible through the social media sites for all their comments / suggestions and recommendations including either the approval or disapproval of the suggestion entirely. Any and all feedback is welcome, the sooner the better but NLT 31 August, 2017.

We think Jimmy’s idea has merit and ask all AMMO Troops give some serious consideration to the proposal. Our two AMMO organizations (AVA and ACA) would offer as much promotional support and advertisement to AMMO Day as possible. It would be an excellent opportunity for worldwide Active Duty / Guard / Reserve AMMO organizations, regional ACA Chapters / AVA groups as well as any individual Retired or ex-AMMO Troop to get together with their peers socially in remembrance of our AMMO Heritage.