The Korean War "began on June 25, 1950, when the Northern Korean People's Army invaded South Korea in a coordinated general attack at several strategic points along the 38th parallel, the line dividing communist North Korea from the non-communist Republic of Korea in the south. North Korea aimed to militarily conquer South Korea and therefore unify Korea under the communist North Korean regime."

June 14 is the birthday of the U.S. Army. According to the U.S. Army Center of Military History’s website – at history.army.mil – it was on June 14, 1775, that “the Continental Congress authorized enlistment of expert riflemen to serve the United Colonies for one year.”

Flag Day, June 14, commemorates the date in 1777 when the United States approved the design for the first national flag. On this day, American Legion posts often hold a flag retirement ceremony or participate in community celebrations. At 7 p.m. EDT on June 14 is the annual Pause for the Pledge.

A 2021 resolution adopted by The American Legion’s National Executive Committee (NEC) encourages “every American Legion Baseball team to observe a moment of silence before their game(s) each year on June 2 in memory of Major League Baseball’s great Lou Gehrig and all veterans who suffer or have died from ALS.”

The current CWF program year began June 1, 2025, and runs through May 31, 2026. Departments, posts, detachments and squadrons that wish to donate and receive credit for the 2025-2026 program year should ensure donations are received at National Headquarters no later than May 31, 2026, or donations can be made online a legion.org/donate.

The red poppy is a nationally recognized symbol of sacrifice worn by Americans since World War I to honor those who served and died for our country in all wars. It reminds Americans of the sacrifices made by our veterans while protecting our freedoms. On Sept. 27, 1920, the poppy became the official flower of the American Legion Family to memorialize the soldiers who fought and died during the war. In 1924, the distribution of poppies became a national program of The American Legion. Read more about the poppy.

American Legion Family members celebrate Armed Forces Day to honor the men and women who serve in the United States military.