Op-Ed: Happy Birthday to the Army!

250 years ago this Saturday, June 14, the United States Army was born. That’s right-the Army is older than our country. In fact, you could say we wouldn’t even have a country if not for the U.S. Army.

Back in 1775, British regulars marched from Boston to seize a store of illegal weapons. (Tyrants always try to take your guns!) Their march was stopped by patriots from local militias at Lexington and Concord, and the British were sent running back to Boston.

That was just the beginning. Colonial militias laid siege to Boston and inflicted over a thousand casualties at Bunker Hill. Members of the Continental Congress in Philadelphia faced a momentous decision: create a unified command to wage war against Great Britain—or let the moment pass.

On June 14, 1775, delegates voted to create a Continental Army, naming George Washington of Virginia as Commander-in-Chief. From that moment forward, the U.S. Army has represented the best of our nation: brave Americans who put on the uniform to defend this country from all enemies.

The Army has distinguished itself time and again over the past 250 years. It was the Army that defeated the British at Yorktown in 1781, and again at New Orleans in 1815. It was the Army that marched into Mexico City in 1847, ending a war and adding the Southwest to our great nation.

Four tragic years of bloody civil war pitted the U.S. Army against itself, with former West Point classmates fighting each other. In 1898, Theodore Roosevelt led a volunteer unit of the Army up San Juan Hill in Cuba, helping defeat Spain. Our Army fought with valor and honor on the battlefields of Europe during the World Wars and endured grueling conflicts in Korea and Vietnam.

I grew up admiring my father, who fought in World War II at the Battle of the Bulge with General Patton’s 3rd Army and was awarded the Bronze Star for his service. I’ve also had the privilege of knowing many Army veterans-from those who served in Korea and Vietnam to the young men and women who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan. Many carry wounds, both seen and unseen, that those of us who haven’t served can never fully understand. And of course, some of our best and brightest never came home. All deserve our honor and the thanks of a grateful nation.

This Saturday is a day of celebration. In addition to being the Army’s birthday, it is also Flag Day, commemorating the adoption of Old Glory in 1777. The American flag is a visible and powerful expression of what our soldiers have always fought for: liberty, freedom, independence, love of country, love of God, and the willingness to sacrifice for others.

No matter what else happens this Saturday, take a moment to remember the men and women who have served in the U.S. Army, and the flag for which they stood.