It’s the Army’s 233rd birthday. Blackfive brings us the birthday message from Kenneth Preston, the Sergeant Major of the Army:

Here’s a nice tribute video that made me tear up a little throughout:

To those currently serving, or who have served: thank you. Let’s all remember today the patriots who, starting 233 years ago, loved this country enough to risk sacrificing everything, and some did. Their bravery and seflessness is unparalleled. Happy Birthday to the Army. There is no gift we can give you that can compare to the gift that you secure for us: our freedom. Know, however, that the American people stand behind you united.

Today is also Flag Day. I posted this video on my blog before, but I want to post it again as it seems fitting.

Make sure to fly Old Glory proudly today (if you don’t every day). My flag is flying happily… in my living room. My apartment complex does not allow flags to be displayed on the balcony, not even the American flag. Why? Someone might get offended. I would love to move out in protest, but you know, there’s a lease and all. Anyways, those of you who have the privilege of owning your living space, make sure to fly a flag today. Remember all that Old Glory stands for.

Happy Birthday Army, and Happy Flag Day!

I’m just going to round up a bunch of different things for you to read, because really, how do you sum up how momentous this day was?

Michelle recommends reading Ronald Reagan’s Pointe du Hoc speech, an excellent suggestion. She also brings us this sad but true video about what media coverage would be like if D-Day happened in 2007.

Ed at Hot Air remembers, and discusses some of the strategy involved, as well as the Soviet involvement in WWII.

Uncle Jimbo at Blackfive gives us the prayer that FDR offered the nation, a prayer for courage, one filled with purpose and the absolute conviction that this was a mission that must be undertaken, not only for the good of America, but for the good of mankind.

The Purple Avenger at Ace of Spades points out Google’s inspirational honoring of D-Day. Oh, wait! They didn’t acknowledge it. Instead, they put this absurd picture up to honor… Diego Velasquez.

A diarist on DailyKos says some great things about D-Day and the magnitude of what our soldiers did that day. I know, I’m shocked too, but it’s a great read.

Newsbusters posts videos commemorating D-Day.

To all those whose fathers, husbands or brothers made the ultimate sacrifice storming the beaches at Normandy on D-Day, and to all those who selflessly risked their lives so that others might be free… you have my heartfelt gratitude.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Here is the obligatory holiday post to “celebrate” a holiday that’s really nothing more than an excuse to drink a lot, wear green, and make being Irish “cool” for a day.

I’m not huge into St. Patrick’s Day, if you couldn’t tell. I’m not a big drinker, I’m not Irish, and I don’t like cabbage (so the corned beef and cabbage dinner is out). I probably won’t wear green today, and I won’t be drinking green beer either. I also probably won’t be listening to any U2. Jacksonville’s not really big into St. Pattie’s Day, unlike Boston, which is about an hour away from my family in Massachusetts. And in any case, my family’s Portugese, not Irish, and so could really care less. (Give us some linguica or chourico, though, and we’re there!) In Jacksonville, you’ll get the typical people dressed in green drinking green beer at pubs and bars (Lynch’s Irish Pub will be packed to capacity — their annual St. Pattie’s celebration is local legend), but there aren’t really a whole lot of parades or anything. We certainly don’t dye the St. John’s River green.

Anyways, I collected some little known St. Patrick’s Day facts to honor the holiday:

Although I may not be able to, as Wal-Mart and Walgreens seem to have a ban on American flags.

It seems some people are unfamiliar with Flag Day, so to begin with, here is a nice summation of the holiday from Holiday Insights.com:

When : June 14th

Flag Day is a day for all Americans to celebrate and show respect for our flag, it’s designers, and makers. Our flag is representative of our independence and our unity as a nation… one nation, under God, indivisible. Our flag has a proud and glorious history. It was at the lead of every battle fought by Americans. Many people have died protecting it. It even stands proudly on the surface of the moon.

As Americans, we have every right to be proud of our culture, our nation, and our flag. So raise the flag today and every day with pride!

So, when I got out of my screening of Fantastic Four (review to come later) at approximately 3:30 in the morning, I figured I’d stop by Wal-Mart and get a flag.

Yeah, I came home empty-handed. This is me not happy.

I walked around that store no less than three times. I looked in every single department. No flags.

So, on the way home, I passed a 24-hour Walgreens. Remembering how, around seemingly every holiday, Walgreens has practically their entire store filled with decorations and other celebratory items, I thought, “Hey, they’ll have a flag, what with the 4th being right around the corner.” Nope. Wrong again.

What strikes me as interesting is how both Walgreens and Wal-Mart, as I said, fill their stores to celebrate other holidays. New Years? Check. Halloween? Check. “Winter Holiday Season”? Check. But strangely enough, there was nothing in either of these two stores to celebrate the upcoming 4th of July holiday. Is this indicative of all Wal-Marts and Walgreens? No, but it is strange to say the least.

Why is it difficult to find an American flag… in America? It really shouldn’t be.

I’ll continue the search tomorrow, and in the meantime, make sure you fly your flags proudly. If I ever find one, I will be.

My friend Andy Hefty wrote a great column about Memorial Day, entitled Memorial Day: A Proper Perspective.

I am interrupting the three-part series on limiting government to share my thoughts on an appropriate way to observe Memorial Day. Please notice that I did not say, “Celebrate.” That is because we should not “celebrate” a day of remembering fallen Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Guardsmen. We must observe the remembrance. Thus the term “Memorial Day.”

In that light, I offer a stark reminder for everyone to contemplate.

Go ahead and have a barbecue with friends and family. Yes, you should even invite the in-laws. But instead of just “fun in the sun,” try to bear in mind that Memorial Day is more than the unofficial start of summer vacation. It is a day to ponder the sacrifices that our men and women in uniform gave to us when they stood boldly between the enemy they faced and us.

To hold someone “In Memory” means that they would have died. Memorial Day is no exception. We honor the living members of the Armed Services on Veteran’s Day. Our fallen heroes have long deserved their day that we remember them. Naturally we should remember them every day. But setting aside a special day just for them is as appropriate as any holiday — if not more so in some instances.

Be sure to read the whole thing.