Nominations are being accepted for the 2026 American First Responder Awards show and please consider supporting @theafras - more at usfra.org/afras-award-nomina… ~ j

The fighting spirit of Soldiers has shaped America for 251 years.

Today, June 14, 2026, we pause beneath the open sky and let our eyes rest on the Stars and Stripes. She ripples in the breeze—not just cloth and thread, but a living promise stitched together by generations who dared to believe that “We the People” could mean something beautiful and true. Think about her for a moment. Thirteen stripes, still standing tall after more than two centuries of storms. Fifty stars, each one a story of a state that chose to join something bigger than itself. She has covered the caskets of young soldiers who never came home, fluttered over neighborhoods where children first learned the word “America,” and welcomed the tired, the hopeful, and the brave to our shores. She has been burned in anger and saluted in pride; she has known both our worst days and our finest hours. Yet every morning she rises again, offering us another chance to live up to her. On this Flag Day, I feel a lump in my throat when I remember the hands that first raised her over Valley Forge in the bitter cold, the hands that carried her across the beaches of Normandy, the hands that gently folded her at gravesides, and the small hands of schoolchildren today who still place their palms over their hearts when she passes by. She belongs to all of us—no matter our politics, our background, or our disagreements—because she stands for the audacious idea that liberty and justice are worth reaching for, even when we fall short. So let’s do something simple but profound today. Look at her. Really see her. Say thank you to the veterans you know. Teach a child the Pledge of Allegiance with feeling instead of rote words. Maybe even mend a small tear in the fabric of our national conversation with kindness and listening. Because every time we choose unity over division, courage over fear, and hope over cynicism, we add another bright thread to her story. On Flag Day 2026, may the red remind us of the courage and sacrifice that came before us. May the white fill us with the purity of purpose and the humility to keep learning. And may the blue sky above her fill our hearts with the vast, unbreakable dream that still stretches out before us. God bless the flag. God bless the dreamers who keep her flying. And God bless this beautiful, complicated, still-hopeful land we call home. Happy Flag Day, America. Let her fly high in your heart today.

Stars, stripes, and the lands we protect. On Flag Day, we recognize the wildland firefighters and support personnel who work every day to safeguard the public lands these colors represent. If you’re heading outdoors today, know before you go. Check local fire restrictions, recreate responsibly, and help prevent wildfires. Enjoy your public lands. Help protect them, too.

For 251 years, we have fought for and defended our Nation’s freedom. 🇺🇸 From Washington’s militias to today’s premier fighting force, the U.S. Army has adapted to stay ahead. We’re just getting started. 🎥 @GoArmy

Blue Angels & Thunderbirds practice flight over the White House!

Lightning kills. Be aware. #Skywarn

🌪️WHAT. A. WEEK. 🌪️ Multiple days of tornadoes on the ground through the Midwest. Thanks to @JolietWeather for this capture in Livingston County. This was one of about a dozen tornado reports Thursday through Central and Southern Illinois.

Significant damage from the tornado that struck the East side of Streator, IL #ILwxn

BREAKING: A massive warehouse fire erupted in Tracy, California, prompting evacuations in the surrounding area.

More thorough edits of the highly photogenic tornado near North Portal, Saskatchewan today, viewed from the northernmost road in North Dakota. This was the first Canadian tornado I’ve ever laid eyes on, and it did not disappoint! I’m honestly a little shocked I saw virtually nobody on this target. It looked pretty evident by 10 a.m., but maybe that’s just the diehard surface low truther in me. Also managed to nab a brief tornado near Wildrose, North Dakota earlier in this storm’s lifecycle. What a day!

Celebrate the Stars and Stripes on America’s public lands. 🇺🇸 Sunday, June 14 is Flag Day and a patriotic fee-free day across America’s public lands. U.S. residents can enjoy free entry and experience the beauty, history, and freedom that define our nation.

From National Tsunami Warning Center: @USGS_Quakes have revised the magnitude of the Philippines quake to M7.8 ✅There is NO tsunami danger to the North American coasts of the U.S or Canada following a recent earthquake. The latest message is posted at tsunami.gov

More wild footage from today’s massive earthquake in the Philippines.

Thank you to all who fought and sacrificed in freedoms defense all those years ago. Incredible footage here. Blessed that both my uncles survived and will never forget the over 400,000 who did not come home.

Watch as Curator Chase Tomlin explains the significance behind this green flag in our collection at The National WWII Museum. While it may look unassuming, this flag was used as a visual marker for ships designated to the Tare Green sector of Utah Beach during the D-Day invasion.

Marines on D-DAY #OTD, Allied forces launched the D-Day invasion of Normandy, a decisive turning point in World War II. Though frequently overshadowed by the Pacific campaign, the Marine Corps made vital contributions to this monumental assault. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, the majority of Marines were deployed to the Pacific. However, specialized cadres remained to provide crucial amphibious warfare expertise to Allied forces in Europe for the duration of the war. These amphibious trainings would eventually make significant contributions to major amphibious assaults throughout the European Theater of Operations, including Operation Torch in North Africa in 1942, Operation Husky in Sicily in 1943, and Operation Overlord in 1944. Beginning in 1942, numerous Marines were embedded with Allied command staffs to advise on and coordinate major amphibious landings. Key figures like Col. Robert O. Bare served as leading strategists for naval gunfire and training and went ashore on D-Day itself. Marines actively supported the grueling assault on Omaha Beach, manning the 5-inch guns off warships like the USS Texas to provide critical fire support for the troops storming ashore. Other Marines scanned the skies above while manning anti-aircraft guns ensuring the German air force was kept at bay. In total a little over 800 Marines participated in Operation Overlord on D-Day with approximately a squad of Marines landing on Omaha Beach itself, helping to transport the wounded and captured prisoners of war, and coordinate fires for the USS Texas’s 14-inch heavy guns. ✍️ (U.S. Marine Corps graphic by Lance Cpl. Kirsten Glaze) #DDay #USMC #WWII

Kīlauea continues to make history. 🌋 The ongoing summit eruption in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park has set a new record for lava fountaining episodes, and it's still going. Video by @USGSVolcanoes

A rainbow appeared above Kīlauea’s record-breaking eruption, creating a stunning contrast against towering lava fountains in Hawaii 🌈🌋

We know many communities across Alabama are dealing with the effects of last night’s storms. Winds of up to 56 mph caused significant damage to trees and power lines, with roughly 93% of Alabama Power’s service territory experiencing some level of impact. We understand how disruptive it is to be without power, and as crews continue restoration efforts, please stay clear of downed power lines. Follow restoration progress: outagemap.alabamapower.com

Yikes! What the hail?!