America's Flag Day and the Army's Birthday
by Michael L. Wojciechowski

As most of you know, June 14 has been decreed as Flag Day. In 1949, President Harry Truman signed legislation designating June 14 as National Flag Day, commemorating the date in 1777 when Congress approved the design of the original American flag. The resolution stated, “that the Flag of the United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the Union be 13 stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation.”

Interestingly, the U.S. Army's birthday is also observed on June 14, coinciding with Flag Day. In 1775, the Continental Congress, through a consensus of the Committee of the Whole, established a date to commemorate the Army's Birthday. As Army veterans, we are especially fortunate to celebrate both the inception of our branch of service and the adoption of our flag as our national symbol for which we have served, fought and, when necessary, laid down our lives.

For the rest of us, whether we are veterans or citizens of this great nation, we demonstrate our patriotism by displaying our flags inside and outside our homes. Long may our flag wave in the full view of patriots both young and old, citizens and veterans, as a reminder of the time and manner in which the flag became our symbol of freedom.

OLD GLORY, WE SALUTE YOU, NOW AND FOREVER