In observance of Armed Forces Day on Tuesday, President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) paid tribute to fallen military personnel and presided over the 2024 Fall Martyrs’ Commemoration Ceremony at the National Revolutionary Martyrs' Shrine. Also in attendance were Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴), Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰), Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜), and National Human Rights Commission Chair Chen Chu (陳菊), among others.
During the ceremony, President Lai laid flowers at the memorial site of the main shrine, read the memorial text aloud, and led attendees in ritual mourning. He also shook hands and greeted the representatives of the martyrs’ families.
President Lai also thanked all military service members for protecting national security and defending Taiwan’s sovereignty in a Facebook post earlier that morning and reminded the public of the holiday. He added that within the coming year, the national defense budget will increase and better training and equipment will be provided to Taiwan’s Armed Forces.
Taiwan’s Armed Forces Day is celebrated annually on September 3. Although it is not a public holiday, military personnel get the day off, and relevant groups, schools, and other institutions hold celebratory activities.