Celebrating Flag Day and America 250 With WoodmenLife
Jun 22, 20266/22/2026
Country
When a commemorative Betsy Ross 250 U.S. flag arrived at WoodmenLife Tower on June 12, it completed a 6,600-mile journey celebrating Flag Day and the nation’s 250th birthday.
After traveling coast-to-coast over four weeks, the flag proudly flew in Omaha, NE, on June 14 — Flag Day. The moment closed a celebration that connected hometowns across the United States in a shared tribute to patriotism and service.
Celebrating Flag Day in this way is a special part of WoodmenLife’s America 250 commemoration and reflects one of our organization’s proudest traditions.
“Since we began our patriotic program back in 1947, WoodmenLife has proudly presented American flags across communities, including civic organizations, First Responders, and schools,” WoodmenLife President & CEO Denise M. McCauley said during the flag celebration in Omaha. “Over those 80 years, we’ve presented more than 4 million U.S. flags nationwide, making us one of the leading providers of U.S. flags, behind the U.S. government.”
These flag presentations have long been a cornerstone of WoodmenLife’s commitment to patriotism, helping create meaningful connections in communities large and small.
South Boston, VA
A Flag With a Story
In addition to the flag traveling across the country, WoodmenLife also presented 250 commemorative flags in cities along the way. The Betsy Ross 250 flag, produced by Annin Flagmakers, features 13 stars encircling the number “250” alongside the traditional red and white stripes. It was created to honor America’s semiquincentennial.
The flag that arrived in Omaha began its journey May 11 in South Boston, VA. Stops on its national trek included:
- Wallace, NC
- Butler, PA
- St. Augustine, FL
- Brooksville, KY
- Townsend and Union City, TN
- Holly Springs, MS
- El Paso, TX
- Los Angeles, CA
At each stop, community representatives contributed an artifact to a time capsule that will be preserved in Omaha and opened on a future date — creating a lasting connection between the communities that took part in this historic journey.
Wallace, NC
Leaving an Impression
The stops in Townsend and Union City, TN, were incredible experiences for Community Outreach Advisor Jody Owens Lowery.
“I love bringing people together. These events provided an opportunity to build relationships with organizations and communities whose values align so closely with WoodmenLife’s commitment to family, community, and country.”
WoodmenLife partnered with the Greater Smoky Mountains Heritage Center for the first stop and Discovery Park of America for the second stop. Both organizations are actively celebrating America 250 while preserving and sharing our nation’s history with future generations. When they received the commemorative flags, they saw them as more than historical artifacts — they recognized them as symbols of patriotism, education, and community engagement.
Enthusiasm extended to everyone who attended the events, too.
“The response from attendees was overwhelmingly positive,” Owens Lowery said. “People were excited to learn about the history of the Betsy Ross flag and its journey across the nation. Many shared stories about family members who served in the military, their own experiences with patriotism, and their appreciation for organizations dedicated to preserving our nation’s heritage.”
Attendees who may have been unfamiliar with WoodmenLife also learned how we support communities across the country. That message was a central theme of the tour and flag presentations — our longtime commitment to serving our members and the places they call home.
Butler, PA
Bringing Us Together
One of the most rewarding aspects of the flag tour was the opportunity to build relationships and celebrate the patriotism that strengthens our connections to each other.
When the flag arrived in Omaha, it served as a reminder that celebrating Flag Day and our country’s 250th birthday is about more than honoring history. It’s also about recognizing how we can continue to shape America in unity, with pride, and with a shared purpose.
Omaha Mayor John Ewing captured the moment when he accepted the flag.
“Today is the perfect day for this special flag tour to come to Omaha — perhaps the only thing as American as the American flag is baseball,” he said, referencing the start of the College World Series, which began in Omaha on the same day. “When you see our flag over a porch, or a firehouse, or on a flagpole at the ballpark, just take a second to appreciate how blessed we are to live in this beautiful community in this great nation.”
Visit WoodmenLife.org/Patriotism to learn more about WoodmenLife’s commitment to celebrating our American freedoms.
Written by: Gary Peterson, Senior Copywriter
St. Augustine, FL
Brooksville, KY
Townsend, TN
Holly Springs, MS
El Paso, TX
Los Angeles, CA
Omaha, NE
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