Scott’s View: Why Flag Day & the Army’s Birthday Is so Important

This is an important week in our nation’s history, and has been for nearly 250 years. The U.S. Army was founded on June 14, 1775, the same day that our U.S. Flag was chosen to represent the republic. So this past Wednesday was doubly special!

This year, we recognize that our flag has been steadfastly representing the nation on our patriotic holidays for over 248 years– President's Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Veterans Day – and it has also been the symbol for important events in our nation’s history, such as the Battle of Iwo Jima during World War II, and when NYC firefighters raised the flag after 9/11, amid the rubble of the World Trade Center.

For those who served, our nation’s stars and stripes also call forth the memories of those we have lost. The flag is presented to every family of a fallen hero in military funerals, a symbol of respect and gratitude for their ultimate sacrifice to our country.

Let’s all take a moment this weekend to reflect, and give thanks for all we have, made possible by those who have served and sacrificed to preserve our freedoms.

And lastly, the team at Veterans Advantage has off this Monday for Juneteenth, a federal holiday commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. Combining June and nineteenth, “it is celebrated on the anniversary of the order, issued by Major General Gordon Granger on June 19, 1865, proclaiming freedom for slaves in Texas.” (Wikipedia). As the White House proclaimed recently “Juneteenth is a day to reflect on both bondage and freedom — a day of both pain and purpose. It is, in equal measure, a remembrance of both the long, hard night of slavery and subjugation, as well as a celebration of the promise of a brighter morning to come.”