The members of the Western New York community have been celebrating the Western New York Armed Forces Week (WNYAFW) since May of 1960. The Western New York Armed Forces Week Committee schedules activities one week prior to the national Armed Forces Week (which is always celebrated on the third Saturday in May). Each year, one of the five military services takes on the duties of the host week’s events. This year, members of the United States Navy has the honor of planning the program .

The main events of WNYAFW include the Opening Ceremony on May 5, 2013, at the Erie Canal Harbor, near the Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park. This will be a free event, open to the public. It will feature a performance by the American Legion Band of the Tonawandas, Military Color Guards, a Flyover, and more.

On Thursday, May 9, 2013 the Armed Forces Week Luncheon will be held at the Connecticut Street Armory.

The final event of the week is the WNY Armed Forces Week Ball, Saturday, May 11, 2013.  The honorees include the Service Person of the Year from the US Marine Corps, US Marine Corps Reserve, US Army, US Army Reserve, New York National Guard, New York Guard, 174 Infantry, US Navy, US Navy Operational Support, New York Naval Militia, US Air Force, US Air Force Reserve, New York Air National Guard, US Coast Guard, and the US Coast Guard Reserve.