WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor Monday regarding the birthday of the United States Army and Flag Day:

“First, I’d like to note a couple of important anniversaries today. It was on this day in 1775 that the Continental Army was established and George Washington was appointed to lead it. So June 14^th has gone down in history not only as the beginning of America’s defeat of the British Army, but also as the birth of the greatest Army the world has ever known.

“The largest and oldest branch of the U.S. military, the Army is older than the United States itself. Its first leader became our first President. It continues to make Americans proud, and we are grateful on this day and every day for the men and women of the United States Army.

“Incidentally, two years to the day after the establishment of the Army, the Second Continental Congress officially established the flag under which our military has fought ever since.

“The resolution in Congress said that 13 stripes would represent the 13 states, and that 13 stars would represent the union in the form of a new constellation.

“President Wilson officially established this day as Flag Day in 1916. Ever since, Americans everywhere have honored this great symbol of freedom every year on Flag Day, June 14.

“We honor those who have fought for it, and we’re proud of all that the flag of the United States of America represents here and wherever it flies around the globe.” 

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