The following post is written by Capt. Emerson Marcus, Nevada National Guard
Capt. Emerson Marcus is the public affairs officer for the Nevada National Guard. He has a Master of Arts in history from the University of Nevada, Reno.
The Nevada National Guard’s annual Flag Day and Army Birthday celebration is a brief (about 30 minutes) and quiet event, consistent with many other celebrations around the country. The event avoids bombastic displays of militarism and jingoism and includes a historical flag presentation from the Nevada Air National Guard Non-Commissioned Officer Academy.
This year was different as thousands attended the “No Kings” protest on Carson Street, both events sharing the same time slot, separated only by the Supreme Court lawn and Capitol grounds. This made for a robust, unique display of patriotism and First Amendment rights in Carson City.
Additionally, State Archives opened for its “All For Our Country” exhibit dedicated to Nevada’s military history. This was the first event to kickoff Nevada’s “America 250” celebration that will include other events leading up to the nation’s quarter millennial birthday next year.
As the public affairs officer for the Nevada National Guard with a graduate degree in history from the University of Nevada, Reno, I helped lead the event and supported State Archives with content and writing for their exhibit. The staff at the State Archives, including Cyndi Shein, Taylor Chase, Hannah Chapman and Cynthia Lafambroise, did an excellent job on a short timeframe leading up to the Army’s 250th birthday and Flag Day. Mike Strom, the Nevada State Library and Archives Administrator, also provided remarks during the ceremony.
But there’s one thing that I will never forget about the 2025 event: an email I received from the organizer of the “No Kings” protest.
On June 9, the Reno Gazette Journal reported on the contrast to be on display on Flag Day at the state capital. Reporter Mark Robison interviewed me and “No Kings” Northern Nevada organizer, Fassah Galt. After the news story published, Galt sent me an email that included the following:
“I'd like to ensure that all demonstrators present are conscious and respectful of your ceremony and that we as organizers do all we can to ensure that the reverence and respect of your ceremony are preserved,” Galt wrote in the email. “With that in mind I would like to adjust our programming such that our speakers begin after your ceremony has concluded. It is not our desire to impede, disrupt or detract from the ceremony… as it is important for those who will gather on Saturday to recognize that the rights which they seek to exercise are possible only because of those who have given their lives and their service to protect them.”
I’ll never forget that gracious note. He understood, as we did, that a celebration of the flag, the U.S. Army and the peoples’ rights to peaceably assemble were not mutually exclusive acts of patriotism. They were pillars of our nation’s founding that remain true today. The boisterous sound of Americans voicing concerns greatly added to the atmosphere of the day. Afterward, State Archives visitors included Nevadans from both events.
I would like to thank those who worked to support the Nevada National Guard’s 27th annual Flag Day and Army Birthday: the State Archives, the Nevada National Guard, Carson City Public Works, Capitol Police, Galt and so many other Nevadans who came together on June 14, 2025. As said before, the State Archives did a great job and I hope the public enjoys their exhibit as it remains on display through Veterans Day this year.
For me, that day will forever serve as a reminder that differences aren’t barriers — they are elements and anecdotes of our collective national identity and the American Experience.
The Nevada State Archives would like to thank the Nevada National Guard for their assistance in making this Flag Day celebration and exhibit opening a huge success!
Photo Credits: Ahylin Arroyo, Meighan Herberg, Stephanie Mears
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