Witness to the Start of D-Day

by Jun 23, 2020Books, Military, Veterans, WWII

June 14 is Flag Day. Did you know that? I’ll have to plead guilty, had I not looked at the alert on my online calendar, I would not have known. And what is Flag Day? Well, for starters it falls within Flag Week. And, no, I didn’t know we had a full week dedicated to our flag. So what are we supposed to do on Flag Day or during Flag Week? According to that vaunted resource, the WWW, we should reflect on the freedoms we, as Americans, have with the flag flying as an enduring symbol of those freedoms. On the other hand, don’t get too excited, it’s not a public holiday (unless you are in Montour County, Pennsylvania), the banks and the post office aren’t closed, and yes, you have to go to work or to school. June 14 is instead a day of nationwide observance. So, if you have a flag, this is a good day to fly it—whether from your flagpole or mailbox.

And, for you history (or trivia) buffs, Flag Day became an official day of observance in 1949 by proclamation from President Harry Truman.

Having discovered Flag Day, I began wondering about other observance, commemorations, or genuine holidays I have missed in June. Of course, June is Pride Month, famously noted by the White House by flying a Gay Pride Flag from the Truman Balcony in violation of US flag standards. Apologies due to the Flag Day Foundation an organization that keeps the flag’s traditions alive.

But, I digress. June also brings us observances for

  • Caribbean-American Heritage (Month),
  • June 6, (D-Day Observance;
  • June 12, Loving Day, which is not likely what you think—it is the observance of the 1958 US Supreme Court’s Loving v Virginia ruling that struck down bans on interracial marriage (named for Richard and Mildred Loving).
  • June 14, the US Army’s birthday, the military branch that has been serving the country for 246 years
  • June 19, Juneteenth or Emancipation Day, celebrating equal rights on the anniversary of the Union soldiers freeing the remaining slaves in Texas after the Civil War—and yes, this one is a Federal holiday.
  • June 20, American Eagle Day commemorating the day when our national symbol was added to the official Seal of the United States.

My least favorite observance occurs on June 21, the summer solstice. Why is it my least favorite? It reminds me for the next six months every day from this point forward is getting shorter (or rather, there is less and less daylight). On the other hand, June also brings maybe everyone’s favorite, mine included, Father’s Day (June 18 this year). While my father is no longer here to celebrate with me, he is always in the background.

 All this sent me looking for other patriotic and military related observances and holidays. Here’s what I found (including relevant dates from the list above for June), and some were also ones I did not know existed.

  • February:  1-National Freedom Day, . 3-Four Chaplains Day, 4-USO Birthday, 19-Coast Guard Reserve Birthday
  • March: 3-Navy Reserve Birthday, 5-SeaBee Birthday, 13-K-9 Veterans Day, 15-American Legion Birthday, 21-Rosie the Riveter Day, 25-Medal of Honor Day, 29-National Vietnam Veterans Day
  • April: 5-Gold Star Spouses Day, 9-National Former POW Recognition Day, 14-Air Force Reserve Birthday, 23-Army Reserve Birthday, 30-National Military Brats Day
  • May: 1-Silver Star Service Banner Day, 8-VE Day, 13-Armed Forces (Week) and Children of Fallen Patriots Day, 20. Armed Forces Day, 31- Memorial Day (falls on the last Monday of May)
  • June: 6-D-Day Remembrance Day, 12-Women Veterans Day, 14-Army Birthday and Flag Day, 23-Coast Guard Auxiliary Birthday
  • July: 4-Independence Day, 25-National Hire a Veteran Day, 27-National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day, 28-National Buffalo Soldiers Day, 29-Army Chaplain Corps Anniversary
  • August: 4-Coast Guard Day, 7-Purple Heart Day, 10-US Dept. of Defense Birthday, 14-Navajo Code Talkers Day, 16-National Airborne Day, 19. National Aviation Day, 29-Marine Corps Reserve Birthday
  • September: 2-VJ Day, 11-Patriot Day, 17- Constitution Citizenship Day, 18-Air Force and Air National Guard Birthday, 29-VFW Day 
  • October: 9-Columbus Day, 13-US Navy Birthday, 27-Navy Day
  • November: National Veterans and Military Family Month, 10-Marine Corps Birthday, 11- Veterans Day and Armistice/Remembrance Day
  • December: 1-Civil Air Patrol Day, 7. Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, 13-US National Guard Birthday, 18-National Wreaths Across America Day

Plenty of reasons to celebrate our country, our freedoms, and those who keep us secure. And yours? What’s your favorite or least favorite day in June or any other month?