Folsom VFW Post 6604 celebrates Flag Day, US Army's 250th birthday

The best way to celebrate the creation of "Old Glory" is by marking the occasion with a community event inviting neighbors who want to share their love for America by engaging in fellowship honoring our freedoms and the United States Army. Folsom VFW Post 6604 celebrated Flag Day on June 14 with a community event and lunch. Coincidently, Flag Day shares June 14 with the birth of the US Army, which was established by the Second Continental Congress in 1775. Although not a federal holiday, millions of Americans celebrated the creation of the glorious flag because of what it represents for so many veterans, citizens, residents and those who look upon the United States for guidance and leadership in reverence to the Constitution by venerating the symbolic flag. On June 14, 1777, the design for the official "First Flag Resolution" was approved, commonly known as the "Betsy Ross Flag," which was designed for George Washington in 1776, consisting of red, white and blue colors, containing 13 five-pointed stars with 13 horizontal stripes. Outgoing Commander Robert M. Lee Jr. remarked to guests, "The American flag, to this day, remains a powerful symbol worldwide, not just in our country, (it) represents national freedom. You don't see people trying to sneak into the back door of China!" Although the Army has downsized with budgetary cuts, he continued by saying, "The Army (continues) to adapt through updated technologies and organizational reforms, shaping it into the most powerful and respected Army in the world today. This is true, because the US Army has values (spending) a great deal of effort teaching them to every soldier (of) duty, honor, courage, loyalty, respect and selfless service to the nation." Post Commander Lee recognized 100-year-old WWII US Army veteran Private First Class Salvatore Gigante, who was in attendance. The 6th Army Pacific theatre veteran was honored for his courageous service in New Guinea as a sharpshooter. Gigante took part in three landings attacking the Japanese while under fire. He also fought hard against Dengue fever between one of the battles. His days of combat abruptly ended in the fall of 1943, when he was severely wounded during a Japanese counterattack and sent back to California for convalescence. Gigante later commented on the past and present attitudes of Americans. The attitude during WWII was, "No one is going to take our country away from us Americans and we will always fight to keep the United States of America free! The people back then were very patriotic. All the people in the USA did everything they could to help. No questions asked. At the end of the war, everyone was so happy. Now, we see what is happening today. … I don't understand. So many are unhappy. Fighting each other. What changed?" Folsom Mayor Sarah Aquino was invited as a special guest. The day ended with more than 150 people in attendance celebrating the flag that symbolizes the national liberties and the establishment of the longstanding professional Army, with so many having many opportunities to speak to war veterans, local soldiers, along with the children glamouring over the stationary military vehicles provided by the US Army recruiting station and California National Guard.