Latest news with #Military250
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'Don't just wave the flag:' Military leaders, NFL execs, and veterans gather at Mount Vernon for Army's 250th
Some of the nation's top military leaders, veterans, and civic voices are gathering this week at George Washington's estate to launch a campaign urging Americans to serve their country: not just by honoring the flag, but by living out its values. The event, held June 12–13 at Mount Vernon, marks the 250th anniversary of the United States Army and Flag Day. It also kicks off the Military 250 campaign, a national effort led by the nonpartisan nonprofit We the Veterans and Military Families to inspire 250,000 acts of service across the country. "This isn't just about waving the flag," said Ellen Gustafson, co-founder of We the Veterans and Military Families, in an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital. "It's about doing something to support it." Trump To Host Military Parade To Celebrate Army's 250Th Birthday, Honor Active-duty Service Members, Veterans Gustafson, a Navy spouse and granddaughter of military veterans, is leading the new campaign, called Military 250. The campaign will also highlight 250 veteran-led organizations and 250 stories of continued service. Read On The Fox News App The kickoff begins Thursday with a formal reception at Mount Vernon's Smith Theater. Speakers include retired Army Chief of Staff Gen. George W. Casey Jr., NFL Chief Financial Officer and Army veteran Christine Dorfler, and former presidential candidate Carly Fiorina. Celebrity chef and Royal Navy veteran Robert Irvine will also speak. Friday's programming at the George Washington Presidential Library features panels on civic duty, trusted leadership, and patriotic service. Trump To Create Task Force To Plan 'Extraordinary Celebration' For 250Th Anniversary Of America's Independence Participants include Lt. Gen. Paul Mikolashek, former Army Inspector General; Green Beret and former NFL player Nate Boyer; U.S. Chamber of Commerce Vice President Hilary Crow; and U.S. Army veteran and comedian Thom Tran. Gustafson said the location of the event sends a message. "This is where Washington was called to lead the Continental Army," she said. "He kept answering the call: as a general, president, and private citizen. That's what we need again." We the Veterans is a nonpartisan nonprofit that empowers veterans and military families to lead by example. Its past work includes Vet the Vote, which recruited over 160,000 veterans and military family members to serve as poll workers in the 2024 election. "When the country needed help running elections, our community showed up," Gustafson said. "That's what real patriotism looks like." She said service doesn't have to mean joining the military. It can mean volunteering at schools, helping neighbors, mentoring, or getting involved in local government. "Being a patriot is about what you do," she said. "Not what you post online." As a mom of three raising a military family, Gustafson said she sees service every day. Her kids have lived through deployments and cross-country moves. She teaches them that sacrifice comes with responsibility and pride. "They know what the flag stands for," she said. "And I want them to grow up in a country where more people step up." "It's time to bring service back into our culture," Gustafson said. "If you love this country, show it." To learn more about the Military 250 campaign or log an act of service, visit article source: 'Don't just wave the flag:' Military leaders, NFL execs, and veterans gather at Mount Vernon for Army's 250th
Fox News
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Fox News
'Don't just wave the flag:' Military leaders, NFL execs, and veterans gather at Mount Vernon for Army's 250th
Some of the nation's top military leaders, veterans, and civic voices are gathering this week at George Washington's estate to launch a campaign urging Americans to serve their country: not just by honoring the flag, but by living out its values. The event, held June 12–13 at Mount Vernon, marks the 250th anniversary of the United States Army and Flag Day. It also kicks off the Military 250 campaign, a national effort led by the nonpartisan nonprofit We the Veterans and Military Families to inspire 250,000 acts of service across the country. "This isn't just about waving the flag," said Ellen Gustafson, co-founder of We the Veterans and Military Families, in an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital. "It's about doing something to support it." Gustafson, a Navy spouse and granddaughter of military veterans, is leading the new campaign, called Military 250. The campaign will also highlight 250 veteran-led organizations and 250 stories of continued service. The kickoff begins Thursday with a formal reception at Mount Vernon's Smith Theater. Speakers include retired Army Chief of Staff Gen. George W. Casey Jr., NFL Chief Financial Officer and Army veteran Christine Dorfler, and former presidential candidate Carly Fiorina. Celebrity chef and Royal Navy veteran Robert Irvine will also speak. Friday's programming at the George Washington Presidential Library features panels on civic duty, trusted leadership, and patriotic service. Participants include Lt. Gen. Paul Mikolashek, former Army Inspector General; Green Beret and former NFL player Nate Boyer; U.S. Chamber of Commerce Vice President Hilary Crow; and U.S. Army veteran and comedian Thom Tran. Gustafson said the location of the event sends a message. "This is where Washington was called to lead the Continental Army," she said. "He kept answering the call: as a general, president, and private citizen. That's what we need again." We the Veterans is a nonpartisan nonprofit that empowers veterans and military families to lead by example. Its past work includes Vet the Vote, which recruited over 160,000 veterans and military family members to serve as poll workers in the 2024 election. "When the country needed help running elections, our community showed up," Gustafson said. "That's what real patriotism looks like." She said service doesn't have to mean joining the military. It can mean volunteering at schools, helping neighbors, mentoring, or getting involved in local government. "Being a patriot is about what you do," she said. "Not what you post online." As a mom of three raising a military family, Gustafson said she sees service every day. Her kids have lived through deployments and cross-country moves. She teaches them that sacrifice comes with responsibility and pride. "They know what the flag stands for," she said. "And I want them to grow up in a country where more people step up." Organizers hope Flag Day becomes a new kind of American holiday that is not just about honoring the flag, but acting in its HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP "It's time to bring service back into our culture," Gustafson said. "If you love this country, show it." To learn more about the Military 250 campaign or log an act of service, visit
Fox News
09-02-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Super Bowl gives our military heroes a chance to mark 250 years of service
As America turns its attention to Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans, We the Veterans and Military Families will proudly be on hand to launch Military250, a unifying national campaign marking the 250th anniversaries of the U.S. Army, Navy and Marine Corps. This initiative celebrates military history and the enduring values that make America great: service, sacrifice and civic pride. Before American patriots proclaimed our independence in 1776, the Founders mustered an Army, Navy and Marine Corps that fought and sacrificed to earn our freedom. So, before the celebration of America's 250th anniversary in 2026, for which President Donald Trump recently formed a White House task force to coordinate plans, we want to honor the service of those who were instrumental in achieving our independence, setting us on a course to be the nation we are today. The Military250 campaign will spotlight key moments in American history, by formally recognizing 250 veteran and military family service organizations, 250 leaders continuing their service and 250 acts of service, demonstrating how actions from everyday people are the backbone that strengthens America. The journey toward these historic milestones over the next 18 months is an opportunity to pause and reflect on our nation's past, honor the contributions of all Americans and look ahead toward the future we want to create for the next generation and beyond. Through these moments, and many more, Military250 reminds us that patriotism is more than a concept. It's a practice rooted in our daily actions. As the U.S. Army announces record recruitment numbers, Military250 is a challenge to every American: How will you carry forward this legacy of service? For military families and veterans, this might mean taking on local civic leadership opportunities or mentoring others through a veteran service organization. For others, it could mean volunteering, voting, or even serving as a poll worker. At We the Veterans and Military Families, we've seen how everyday actions of patriotic participation can transform communities. They foster connection and remind us of the shared values that bind us together. Grounded in the universal values of service and sacrifice, this campaign brings together those from all corners – community organizations, athletes and sports executives, business leaders and everyday Americans who want to celebrate what's best about our nation. To honor our past and chart a new course forward toward the next frontier. We the Veterans is honored to be invited by the National Football League to be on media row at Super Bowl LIX. As we kick off Military250 on America's biggest stage, take a moment to reflect on how you can give back to the country that has given us so much. Find ways to serve — whether through a local veterans' organization, your neighborhood school or a national charity you care about. The Military250 campaign will spotlight key moments in American history, by formally recognizing 250 veteran and military family service organizations, 250 leaders continuing their service and 250 acts of service, demonstrating how actions from everyday people are the backbone that strengthens America. This campaign is more than a commemoration, it's a reminder that patriotism requires so much more than waving a flag on Independence Day. It's about embodying the courage, service and unity that have defined our country for 250 years. As President Ronald Reagan reminded us, "freedom is a fragile thing and it's never more than one generation away from extinction." If you're looking for a way to celebrate America and the shared history that binds us together, join us in honoring our past and building a future that lives up to the sacrifices on the shoulders of the giants on which we all stand. Together, we can ensure that America's next 250 years are defined by the same spirit of resilience and service that built this nation, and that our nation remembers General Jimmy Doolittle's words that "There's nothing stronger than the heart of a volunteer." Ben Keiser is a Marine Corps veteran and a co-founder and executive chairman of We the Veterans and Military Families.
