Published by CVB – Flag Day, June 14, 2025

On June 14, 1777, in the midst of the American Revolution, the Second Continental Congress declared: “That the flag of the thirteen United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation.” With this simple yet powerful resolution, the United States flag—our Stars and Stripes—was born. It has since become more than a national emblem; it is the very spirit of our Republic, a symbol of sacrifice, unity, and the enduring pursuit of liberty.

Flag Day, observed each year on June 14, commemorates the adoption of the American flag. While not a federal holiday, it holds deep meaning—especially for members of the United States military and our nation’s veterans. For them, the flag is more than cloth—it is a living emblem of duty, honor, and country. It represents the oath they swore, the values they upheld, and the lives of those who never returned.

The Flag in Battle: More Than a Symbol

The American flag has accompanied our troops into every conflict since its inception. It flew beside patriots in the Revolution, was defended by color bearers in the Civil War, and was hoisted atop Iwo Jima by Marines in the Pacific. The flag has been stitched into patches on uniforms, draped over the coffins of the fallen, and flown in distant lands as a symbol of hope and freedom.

One of the most powerful examples of flag loyalty came during the Civil War. Sgt. William Carney of the 54th Massachusetts, though gravely wounded, rescued the flag during the assault on Fort Wagner. Holding it high even as blood poured from his wounds, he shouted, “Boys, I but did my duty; the dear old flag never touched the ground.” He would later become the first African American to receive the Medal of Honor—a moment forever linking the flag to courage, unity, and sacrifice.

From World War I trenches to Korean hills, from the jungles of Vietnam to the sands of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan, our troops have carried the flag forward through adversity. It has flown on naval ships, fluttered from combat outposts, and stood watch at Arlington National Cemetery.

Flag Day: A Day of Reflection and Honor

Each Flag Day, Americans are encouraged to fly the flag proudly, to honor what it represents, and to remember the countless men and women who served under it. In towns large and small, community parades, veterans’ ceremonies, and educational events mark the day. Perhaps the most solemn tradition is the retirement of worn flags, carried out with reverence by veterans and scouts alike—often by fire, following the U.S. Flag Code, to ensure the flag is destroyed with dignity.

Flag Day also aligns closely with the history of the United States Army, which was formed on June 14, 1775—two years before the flag itself. In 2025, this dual anniversary carries special significance as the Army marks its 250th birthday. Celebrations across the country will honor this milestone, but nowhere will the flag mean more than to the Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, Airmen, Guardians, and Coast Guardsmen who have worn it on their sleeves, saluted it, and served beneath it.

A Veteran’s Perspective

For veterans, the American flag is deeply personal. It reminds them of the bonds forged in service, of missions completed and sacrifices made. It honors the fallen whose names are etched in granite, and whose memories are preserved in folded flags presented to grieving families. For some, it’s the last thing they see on the battlefield; for others, it’s the first thing they salute at sunrise each morning.

President Woodrow Wilson officially established Flag Day in 1916, stating: “The flag has vindicated its right to be honored by all nations of the world and feared by none who do righteousness.” More than a century later, those words still ring true. The American flag stands not only as a national symbol but also as a tribute to the men and women who have answered the call to serve and protect it.

Honoring Their Service This Flag Day

As the Stars and Stripes rise over communities this June 14, may every American pause to reflect on its meaning. Let us remember the courage it represents, the freedom it secures, and the heroes who have borne it into history. Let us not take lightly the sacred duty our veterans have fulfilled to keep that flag flying.

From the Revolutionary War to modern-day deployments, through peace and peril, the United States military has stood firm beneath Old Glory. On Flag Day 2025, the CVB honors all who have served, and all who continue to serve, under the red, white, and blue—our enduring emblem of hope, honor, and American resolve.