U.S. Army 244th Birthday / Flag Day
THE U.S. ARMY
AMERICA’S FIRST NATIONAL INSTITUTION
Since its official establishment, June 14, 1775 — more than a year before the Declaration of Independence — the U.S. Army has played a vital role in the growth and development of the American nation. Drawing on both long-standing militia traditions and recently introduced professional standards, it won the new republic’s independence in an arduous eight-year struggle against Great Britain. At times, the Army provided the lone symbol of nationhood around which patriots rallied.
PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO VIEW THESE TWO (2) VERY SHORT VIDEOS. THANK YOU
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Tomorrow is also Flag Day, an annual observance of the Second Continental Congress’ official adoption of the stars and stripes in 1777. At the time, they “resolved that the flag of the 13 United States” be represented by 13 alternating red and white stripes and the union by 13 white stars in a blue field, “representing a new constellation.” Now, more than 200 years later and with an updated design, the flag is an American icon. Unfortunately, Pennsylvania is the only state to recognize it as a legal holiday.
As national treasures go, it was a bargain: $405.90 was paid to Mary Pickersgill of Baltimore, who fashioned it from red, blue and undyed wool, plus cotton for the 15 stars to fly at the fortress guarding the city’s harbor. An enormous flag, 30 by 42 feet, it was intended as a bold statement to the British warships that were certain to come. And, when in September 1814, the young United States turned back the invaders in a spectacular battle witnessed by Francis Scott Key, he put his joy into a verse published first as “Defense of Fort M’Henry,” and then, set to the tune of a British drinking song – immortalized as “The Star Spangled Banner.”
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Military Humor –
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Farewell Salutes –
Harold Amstutz – Deerfield, MI; US Army, WWII, ETO, 8/4th Infantry Division
Donald Buckley – Herkimer, NY; US Army, Korea, HQ Co./187th RCT
Thurman Childress – Stamford, TX; US Army Air Corps, WWII, PTO, Co. E/188/11th Airborne Division
Valentine Ellis – Bothell, WA; US Army, WWII, ETO
Clyde Holcomb – Mobile, AL; US Army, WWII, ETO, 566th Anti-Aircraft Division, 3 Bronze Stars
Robert Mackey – North Bennington, VT; US Army Air Corps, WWII, Chief Warrant Officer (Ret.)
Sam Ostrow – Cincinnati, OH; US Army Air Corps, WWII
Milton Persin – Oak Brook, IL; US Army Air Corps, WWII
Harold Sanders – Hayesville, NC; US Army, WWII, ETO, Purple Heart
Walter Shamp – NY; US National Guard / US Army, WWII, 109/28th Division
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Posted on June 13, 2019, in Current News, Home Front, Korean War, Uncategorized, Vietnam, WWII and tagged Airborne, Army, combat, family history, Flag Day, History, Home Front, Military History, war, WW2, WWII. Bookmark the permalink. 111 Comments.
*salute*
Thank you, Army! ❤ ❤
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Much appreciated!
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Commendable videos gp and further history on the Star Spangled Banner, be interesting to know where that 30 by 42 feet Banner now resides, also to learn the origins of the music to the Flag, can’t go wrong from taking it from an old drinking song.
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That flag is now at the Smithsonian Museum in Washington D.C. Thanks for your interest!!
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Thanks gp.
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A very Great video’s and special” flag day”
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Thank you very much!!
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Sorry, I’m taking so long to get caught up with different blog posts I’ve missed.
Bill served under General Lucky while he was at Ft. Bragg, as did our son.
Our son was also born on Flag Day. Bill was hoping for that, though he won’t admit it (Basically because he knew I was miserable what with being overdue in such a hot, humid climate where we lived!).
Great post, as usual!
Blessings~ :us:
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Thank you for giving us a family story – you know we always love those! Please shake both your husband’s hand and your son’s for me and thank them for being there for us!! I know how uncomfortable it must be to be pregnant in summer, I was born in August and my mother told me how uncomfortable she was. 🙂
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You are welcome!
I will be very happy to shake their hand for you.
It was MISERABLE!!! But, oh so worth it!! I feel for your Mom!
Blessings~
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Sorry, I’m having a bit of trouble with my WP Site… trying to fix it. ♥️Hugs!
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Oh boy, we all go through that sometime or another. Take care.
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Also, Go Airborne! You Rock!
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Airborne All the Way!!
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Go Army! You Rock!
Red, White, and Blue;
to these colors I am true.
HOOAH!!!
Thank you for this post ~
Tamara (Nika)
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They’ve been watching our backs since before we became a nation – They Rock!!
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Hooah! YAY!
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😎
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Wishing our Army and our country the all the best on this special day!
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Wonderful sentiment!!
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Amen-Amein!! 💜💕 GOD BLESS ALL our Veterans who served and all our Veterans who Died in action!!
I am Pro-Israel-Yisrael / Pro-Zionism / Pro-Christian and Jewish People / Pro-USA Capitalism and Constitution / PRO-LIFE!!
I am a Devout Christian Conservative Republican Patriot in our Judeo-Christian Nation United States of America and I STAND with the Holy Land of Israel-Yisrael!!
Love 💕 Always and Shalom, YSIC \o/
Kristi Ann
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Thank you for your comment, Kristi Ann.
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Powerful, GP. I have been binge-watching “Turn – Washington’s spies” (compelling historical fiction about the Revolutionary War). The series prompted me to read the actual history by Alexander Rose on which it was based. Countless sacrifices in blood, toil, and treasure have been made for this nation, since it was founded. Freedom has never been free. Those of us who daily benefit from those sacrifices must not forget that.
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I appreciate you interest in history! The details are seriously lacking in our youths’ education.
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Thanks for sharing the two videos; they are very good.
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My pleasure!
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Seeing the flag flying in the breeze always warms my heart. It speaks to me of freedom.
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I love hearing that, Bev. Thank you.
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This is absolutely fascinating. So pleased the country still respects its achievements and service. If I remember my history the British Army was formed something like 1660. Recently we have an Armed Forces day which is well supported.
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I’m glad to hear that. Those troops deserve the recognition!!
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Sorry to be late, GP. Thank you for virtually waving Old Glory — on Flag Day and every day. Hugs on the wing!
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Always happy to see you Teagan!! I appreciate your visits – no matter when they occur!
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A great day! 🙂
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Yes, it is!
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Thank you for a heartwarming tribute, GP; it makes me proud to be a US citizen. Happy Flag Day!
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It warms my heart to hear you say that, Dolly.
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I am so glad, GP!
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Reblogged this on Dave Loves History.
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I appreciate you sharing this information, Dave!
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Wonderful! Happy Birthday US ARMY and our Beautiful Flag! Happy Flag Day!
HUGS!!! 🙂
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Thank you, thank you, thank you!!
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Happy Flag Day, GP! Michael
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Thank you very much, Michael. Do you have a commemorative day for your flag?
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Always like GP! I’m honest, i dont really know. 😉 The (actual) German flag origins from the time before the two World Wars. We are actually just celebrating the reunification of both German states.
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🇺🇸🇺🇸Happy Birthday US Army and Happy Flag Day!🇺🇸🇺🇸
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Fantastic comment with the emojis !
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Thanks for calling attention to this holiday (if only in PA).
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Terrific! Terrific! Terrific! As a former US Army reservist, I salute you and admire you for your truly patriotic posts. Keep up the good work.
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Thank you very much! Your opinion as a veteran means a great deal. I do apologize though for not having a U.S. Army Reserve birthday post, I believe is 23 April. Quite negligent on my part.
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Reblogged this on Rosalinda R Morgan and commented:
Happy Flag Day and Happy Birthday U.S. Army!
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Thank you, Rose!!
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Reblogged this on The Tactical Hermit and commented:
Superb Combo Post by GP over at Pacific Paratrooper. If you have not subscribed to this blog, do it now…FANTASTIC!
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Thank you for honoring these milestones and the ‘plug’ for my site!!
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Happy flag day to all you Americans wherever you may be hanging your flag!
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Thank you!!
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A pleasure GP!
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Reblogged this on depolreablesunite.
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Much appreciated, Rick!
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Happy Birthday U.S. Army
Happy Flag Day
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Enjoy!!
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Reblogged this on John Cowgill's Literature Site.
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Much appreciated, John!
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I appreciate the stories.
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And I love your photos of historic sites!! We have a mutual admiration thing going here!!
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We do.
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When I was in sixth grade, my class did a whole play on Flag Day, starting with Betsy Ross and on to the Star Spangled Banner, etc. We sang patriotic songs. That was 1964. A different time in so many ways.
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It really was a different world back then, wasn’t? And I sure do miss it!
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It has always been easy to remember my sister’s birthday since it is on Flag Day!
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That was handy, eh?! How did she feel about it?
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Yes, it was handy and she always liked being born on a Holiday!
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Good for her!! Tell her Happy Birthday for me!!
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Yes! I will!
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Happy Birthday US ARMY!
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Thank you for saying that!
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(Salute)
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Happy Flag day Colonial brethren! 😉
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Thank you!! 🙂
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I will celebrate by putting up my Guam and USA flag on my wall this afternoon. Forever faithful.
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That would be terrific!!
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Reblogged this on ENLIGHTENMENT ANGELS.
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Thank you for joining in!!
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Flags up and flying from the porch!
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I had no doubts, William – ENJOY!!
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Terrific post, GP. Thank you. The videos were great.
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I greatly appreciate you taking the time to watch them, John!!
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😀
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Happy 244th Birthday!
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Thank you, Peter. It’s great to have neighbors like yourself!
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Great info GP. I have three flags: one with the thirteen stars in a circle, another one with the union jack in one corner and the current flag. I don’t have a flag pole so I hang them over the railing of my second floor terrace on July 4 but only the current flag on Flag day and the other holidays. Maybe it should be the other way around.
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No, I think you’ve gotten right, Rose. Thanks for being part of this country – we need more like yourself!!
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Thank you. I like being an American.
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(big smile!)
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A British drinking song! I had no idea.
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Strange some of the tidbits we locate in history, eh?!!
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Happy Birthday to your Army, GP. 🙂
I watched both the videos, and hope that all your service people are enjoying the celebrations today.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Thank you, Pete! I appreciate you taking the time to watch the videos!
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Always a pleasure, GP. 🙂
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Flags already are appearing around here. Our town doesn’t put them out for Flag Day, but does put them up around town a few days before Memorial Day, and then leaves them for several days after. I enjoyed the videos, too — your reminders are always spot-on.
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Thank you very much, Linda!!
(Every day should be Flag Day.)
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Lovely post, GP. Happy Flag Day to you. She’s a grand old flag, a high flying flag and forever in peace may she wave (The peace part doesn’t happen much.)
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No peace, there’s always someone stealing the freedoms from someone else – and there we are.
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Thanks for pointing to the great videos.
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You are more than welcome!
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Reblogged this on Town & Country Gardening.
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Thank you very much. Let’s hope between us we get some flags flying out there!!!!
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Ah, well, something good came out of the war of independence
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haha, aw we’d be like spoiled children for the UK to control anyway. 🙂
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🙂
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Thank you!!
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