June 2026 President's Message

June 2026

Welcome to June! On a recent trip to the East Coast, I had the privilege of visiting several small towns around the Memorial Day holiday. Many homes and businesses showed their patriotism by displaying the US Flag, and usually it was more than one flag! Observing these displays instilled a sense of patriotism and pride in our country’s foundational principles of life, liberty and pursuit of happiness for its citizens. Our flag has become a

lasting symbol of our nation’s history and in celebration of our strong commitment to freedom.

During the trip, a scheduled visit to Fort Sumter right outside the city of Charleston, South Carolina, designated as a National Historical Monument, was filled with history and artifacts. Much of the Fort has been preserved and enhanced for visitors, in order to reflect on the significant historical role during the Civil War. The attack on Fort Sumter marked the official beginning of the American Civil War. At 4:30 a.m. on April 12, 1861, Confederate artillery opened fire on Fort Sumter and the Civil War officially commenced during Abraham Lincoln’s Presidency. A large, beautiful American Flag graced the grounds of the Fort, and mid-afternoon, the National Park Service recounted the Fort’s early history and engaged the public’s assistance in lowering and folding the flag.

On to Washington, D.C. and yet another impactful visit to the Lincoln Memorial, which is always impressive. It was a great opportunity to observe the surroundings, which included thanking National Guard troops for their service, visiting the nearby Korean War Memorial, and observing groups of young people wearing their identical

brightly colored T-shirts. As you probably know, this memorial is massive with Lincoln’s statue in the center, the Gettysburg Address Inscription on one side, and Lincoln’s Second and Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address on the other. The architect (Henry Bacon) felt that a memorial dedicated to a man who defended democracy should echo the birthplace of democracy. Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address on November 19, 1863, during the delivered the Gettysburg Address on November 19, 1863, during the Lincoln acknowledged the sacrifice on the battlefield, invoked the founding principle that "all men are created equal," and vowed that the nation will have "a new birth of freedom." On March 4, 1865, only 41 days before his assassination, President Abraham Lincoln took the oath of office for the second time. Lincoln's second inaugural address previewed his plans for healing a once-divided nation.

On June 14, 1777, Flag Day was established, commemorating the adoption of the United States Flag. It is a time for Americans to reflect on our nation’s history, honor the military, and celebrate principles like liberty, justice and national unity. President Woodrow Wilson issued the first proclamation establishing Flag Day in 1916. Congress declared it a national observance in 1949. The holiday was first proposed shortly after the 1861 attack on Fort Sumter that started the Civil War. The flag flying over the fort was saved by Union soldiers during the Confederate takeover. The Fort Sumter Flag became a symbol of opposition to the Confederate rebellion. Fame transformed the flagfrom a fairly obscure military symbol used to identify American ships and forts into a popular symbol used by ordinary Americans to support the Union cause.

As America250 will be celebrated this year through various national, state and local events, let’s strive to remember the principles our country was founded upon and the many sacrifices made throughout our history by our military, our leadership and our citizenry. Proudly display your American Flag on June 14th as a unifying

symbol of our freedoms established long ago. We are at a crossroads of history right now, where we can individually and collectively make a difference. With the Arizona Primary election fast approaching, let’s all be grateful for the opportunity to vote and have the ability to make our voices heard in a respectful and honorable

manner. Commit to supporting our candidates and choosing those who represent our values and principles. Each vote matters! And once the July 21st Primary is over, let’s unify together to support our Republican candidates for the General Election. Join with me to pledge to vote in 2026, to take back Arizona and elect strong conservatives up and down the ballot!