Flag Day

I use an image like this one every year on Flag Day. It reminds me of our flag flying at the top of a mast on my ship, USS WILLIAM H. STANDLEY (DLG-32).

Whether it was flying when we were in the safety of the Caribbean, or patrolling off North Vietnam or North Korea, it always reminded me of home, Betty, and our boys, each of whom were born while I was on a Vietnam deployment.

Our flag is important to me and it is flying in front of our home here in New Mexico.

Our flag also represents the innumerable number of men and women who have served in the Army, Navy and Marines for 250 years, which we celebrate this year – the Army today in June, the Navy next October, and the Marines in November.

1775 was a critical year for our Republic.