Today U.S. Army Celebrates 245 Years, Legacy of Service to Nation

JUNE 14, 2020 – Today marks 245 years of the Army’s legacy of service to the nation. June 14 is also Flag Day and provides an opportunity to showcase patriotism and the shared Army values of love of country and oaths to defend the American way of life.

This year’s birthday theme, “America’s Army: When We are Needed, We are There,” provides an overarching framework to champion stories of bravery, patriotism, and legacy of service.

The Army, America’s first national institution, was established on June 14, 1775 – before the Declaration of Independence was signed, and before the Continental Congress approved the design for the first U.S. flag.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, a major Army command, is made up of 800 military personnel and 34,000 civilian employees. It was established on June 16, 1775, and played a crucial role in the growth of a young republic by surveying canals and railroad routes, and serving as explorers and map makers. Today, we continue the tradition of providing vital engineering services, securing the nation, energizing the economy, and reducing risk from disaster. For a comprehensive history of the Corps, visit: https://www.usace.army.mil/About/History/Brief-History-of-the-Corps/

Army birthday virtual events today include:

11:30 a.m. Eastern – Army Birthday Wreath Laying at Arlington National Cemetery. Wreath-laying is a tradition that honors the service and sacrifice of our fallen service members and the legacy they left behind. This annual event will take place at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and will be livestreamed on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
7 p.m. Eastern – FLAGSHIP Event: “The Army at 245: An American Celebration” – You can watch the video on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/ArlingtonNatl/), Twitter (https://twitter.com/ArlingtonNatl), and YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdviiwqQHHUePZglBHXFvPw/featured).

For direct links to the above events, go to: https://www.army.mil/article/235706/u_s_army_birthday_2020_events

Story by Vanessa Villarreal
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Chicago District

Signers of the Declaration of Independence

JULY 4, 2026 – Delegates to the Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. The 56 delegates who signed the formal break from Britain are all considered Founding Fathers. Pennsylvania had nine delegates, the most of the colonies. This week’s profile features three of these delegates: John Morton, George Ross and Dr. Benjamin Rush. Their signatures are grouped the top third column from the right of the document.  John Morton […]

Air National Guard Unveils New Bonus Program

MARCH 11, 2023 – On March 1st, the Air National Guard (ANG) launched a new bonus program to attract and retain personnel in critical specialties. The initiative offers significant financial rewards, with bonuses of up to $90,000 for eligible members, depending on their Air Force Specialty Codes (AFSCs). This strategic move aims to strengthen the […]

Military Students’ Tips to Balance Service and Studies

OCTOBER 10, 2025 – Studying in college while serving in the military can be highly rewarding but also extremely demanding in some respects. Military members, veterans, and their families typically balance demanding duty schedules, deployments, family responsibilities, and school schedules. It requires careful planning, flexibility, and being willing to seek and take advantage of available […]

Summer Spike in Military Retirements: Easing the Transition to Civilian Life

JUNE 5, 2026 – There are typically about 95,000 to 110,000 retirements from the military in a given year, as service members conclude careers that have often spanned more than two decades, crossing the 20-year service threshold required to access military retirement benefits. These retirements tend to steadily occur as the year rolls on; however, […]

Trump Accounts Lay Financial Foundation for Military Children

JUNE 26, 2026 – Thanks to newly available Trump Accounts, military families can lay the foundation to ensure each of their children has a head start on a rock-solid retirement plan, decades before they have jobs. First announced in conjunction with last year’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the tax-deferred Trump Account allows parents to […]

Comments