As Legionnaires, every day is our duty to carry the message forward on how to respect and honor the Stars and Stripes.
Dear American Legion Family members and friends,
Today is Flag Day, and the 246th anniversary of the resolution passed by the passed by the Second Continental Congress that adopted our banner of Stars and Stripes. On this day, American Legion posts and members host flag retirement ceremonies, participate in events that celebrate our nation’s colors and fulfill the Legion’s Preamble “to foster and perpetuate a one hundred percent Americanism.”
Flag Day isn’t just today, but every day for us Legionnaires. As it is our duty to carry the message forward to members in our community and youth on how to respect and honor Old Glory, show patriotism and understand proper flag etiquette.
As we honor the Red, White and Blue today and every day, let’s continue to carry its meaning, influence and inspiration forward by educating our youth on patriotism, flag respect and the sacrifice of veterans so future generations uphold a 100% Americanism. There are three youth comic books available for purchase through Emblem Sales to help you do just this – “Our Country’s Flag,” “I Pledge Allegiance” and “Our Country’s Veterans.”
The Stars and Stripes has soared on battlefields and every day it drapes the caskets of those who served, flies from businesses and homes and stands tall as those of us who served under it salute it every day. You can show this message of patriotism and sacrifice by sharing these downloadable Rally Around the Flag and Voices of Our Flag graphics on your social media channels.
This June also marks the 100th anniversary of the Americanism Commission calling upon the first National Flag Conference in Washington D.C. There, more than 60 other patriotic, fraternal, civic and military organizations gathered to draw together one standard set of guidelines relating to the flag. The American Legion led the creation of the U.S. Flag Code, a set of guidelines still in existence today that protects Old Glory from harm.
To help carry on the message of the Flag Code and what it means, there are Know Your Code graphics that you can also download and share on social media. It is up to us to continue to preserve the Flag Code legacy for future generations.
I hope you join me in honoring our Stars and Stripes today, and every day, and carrying that message forward so future generations stand ready to protect, serve and uphold its values. This is our duty.
Vincent J. “Jim” Troiola
National Commander
- Commander