June 14, 2025, marks the semiquincentennial birthday of the founding of the Army.
It is fitting that the U.S. Army shares its birthday on the same day that we honor the flag of our country. It is under that very banner that soldiers have fought, bled and, in too many cases, died for the freedom and principles that it represents.
June 14, 2025, is especially poignant as it marks the semiquincentennial or 250th anniversary of the founding of the world’s greatest Army.
The American Legion stands proud to honor the legacy and contributions of our nation’s past and present soldiers. Our organization includes hundreds of thousands of Army veterans whose service spans generations — from Anzio to Inchon, from Vietnam to the Middle East. They are living testaments to the Army’s values of loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage.
In an address to Congress, our nation’s first commander in chief, George Washington said, “If we desire to avoid insult, we must be able to repel it; if we desire to secure peace, one of the most powerful instruments of our rising prosperity, it must be known, that we are at all times ready for war.”
The readiness of which Washington spoke has kept this country free for 250 years and would not have been possible without our nation’s largest military branch.
As an airman, I was proud to serve alongside soldiers. I have seen firsthand the strength of the Army’s esprit de corps and the bonds that form when servicemembers unite in purpose. Though we wore different colored uniforms, our mission was the same: to protect and defend the United States of America.
One of my most memorable moments as national commander occurred last week as I attended D-Day observances in Normandy. No place is more symbolic of sacrifice than the American cemetery there, where nearly 9,400 U.S. veterans of World War II peacefully rest.
This year also marks the 250th anniversaries of the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps. In its meeting May 7-8, The American Legion National Executive Committee unanimously passed Resolution No. 6, which calls upon our organization to actively support observances celebrating these anniversaries for all three services, just as we recognize milestones for all of our military branches.
If you are a veteran of the U.S. Army, Navy or Marine Corps, we would love to hear about your experience in the service and why you joined your particular branch. You can share your story on legiontown.org.
The official motto of U.S. Army is “This We’ll Defend.” Let us all commit ourselves to be worthy of that defense. Hooah!
James LaCoursiere Jr.
National Commander
- Commander