VFW commemorates Flag Day

Saturday, June 14 is Flag Day, a day set aside to honor this vibrant symbol of our nation's history, ideals and the sacrifices made to protect them. For veterans and for the men and women of the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars), Flag Day is not merely a holiday; it is a deeply personal and enduring reminder of our commitment, our losses and the true meaning of America.

The story of Flag Day begins with a resolution passed by the Continental Congress on June 14, 1777, declaring that "the flag of the United States be 13 stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be 13 stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation." More than 170 years later, President Harry S. Truman signed an act of Congress in 1949 designating June 14 as National Flag Day.

This simple declaration marked the birth of our stars and stripes, a representation of a promising nation daring to dream of liberty and real freedom. Over the centuries, that flag has evolved, with a star added for each new state, growing into the 50-star banner we proudly fly today.

When we talk about the American flag - our flag - we’re not just talking about a piece of red, white and blue cloth. We’re talking about our home. We’re talking about you and me and our parents and our friends. We’re talking about all Americans. We’re talking about the freedoms we enjoy in this country; our hopes and dreams and plans for the future. We’re talking about a government that represents the people, selected by the people and that works for the people. It is a government in which you and I have a voice.

For those of us who have worn the uniform, the flag is so much more than a historical artifact or a piece of fabric. It is the banner under which we served, under which we marched, and under which our brothers and sisters-in-arms made the ultimate sacrifice. We have seen that flag proudly flying over distant lands, a beacon of hope and a promise of the freedom to come. We have seen it carried into battle, a rallying point against oppression, and we have seen it brought home, sometimes tattered but never defeated. We have also seen it draped over the caskets of our fallen, each fold a painful reminder of the true cost of liberty.

The flag represents the enduring spirit of America; the ideals of liberty, justice and equality that we, as veterans, swore an oath to defend. When we look at that flag, we see the unity of our diverse nation, the resilience of our spirit and the unwavering commitment to a better future. It is a symbol that transcends politics and personal opinions, reminding us of what unites us as Americans.

When we talk about our flag, we’re talking about freedom, and it is not just the freedom we have today. We’re talking about the freedom that millions of American men and women have fought to defend since our country was founded nearly 250 years ago. It took almost eight years and thousands died and many came home wounded in that revolution, but when the dust of war settled, those patriots looked out at a free America, and we have remained free, standing strong for nearly 250 years.

For more than two centuries, we have been a free country and a free people, and the reason why we have stayed free for so long is that millions of American men and women have fought and died to keep us free. In war after war, they have held the line against those who would take our freedom from us.

On this Flag Day, as members of the VFW, we urge all Americans to take a moment to truly appreciate this powerful symbol; to understand its history, respect its meaning and be reminded of the immense sacrifices made to secure our freedoms.

Let us ensure that future generations understand that this flag is not just a piece of cloth, but a living testament to the ongoing struggle for freedom and the unwavering spirit of those who defend it.