National Commander Vincent J. “Jim” Troiola is encouraging Americans to proudly display their nation’s colors on Juneteenth, along with all other federal holidays.
“Americans are accustomed to flying the American flag on Flag Day, the fourth of July and other traditional days of patriotic observances,” American Legion National Commander Vincent J. “Jim” Troiola said. “There is never a bad time to properly display Old Glory. Juneteenth is no exception. In 2021, Congress overwhelmingly passed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, immediately establishing June 19th as a federal holiday. There are some American Legion posts that are holding celebrations. I encourage posts to tell us about their Juneteenth activities on our Legiontown website and be sure to include it in their Consolidated Post Reports under community service hours. As an annual tradition, I have no doubt that Juneteenth celebrations and observances will continue to spread throughout the country.”
Juneteenth marks the anniversary of the executive order issued by Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger, which proclaimed freedom for enslaved Blacks in Texas on June 19, 1865. Though the Emancipation Proclamation was issued by President Lincoln in 1863, enforcement of the order depended on the success of Union troops during the Civil War. Even so, some remained enslaved until the ratification of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution on December 6, 1865.
- Commander