Today is Flag Day, commemorating the adoption of flag of the United States over 240 years ago.
To mark the occasion, the Veterans Outreach Center recruited volunteers throughout the city to hand out flags, and anyone who provides a monetary donation in return will help supports a number of programs for veterans in the community, according to executive director of the VOC, Laura Stradley.
"Three facilities that house homeless veterans, two for male vets, one for females. We have employment and training programs, education programs," she said.
Stradley says the VOC programs connect veterans to employment, education, housing and wellness resources.
Some workers at the Genesee Brewery helped with the campaign.
Tim Mack was handing out flags.
He say he didn't serve, but his father and two brothers all served in the military.
"It's a way to say thank you and let them know that we're appreciative for the sacrifices that they made, and for keeping us a free country," he said.
The Veterans Outreach Center is asking people to display the flag as a symbol of solidarity with our military veterans and our shared gratitude of our nation's freedoms, and for those who have defended those freedoms throughout history.
Flag Day is celebrated on June 14, and commemorates the 1777 resolution by the Continental Congress calling for the creation of the United States flag.