The ceremony is quiet. No speeches. Just an honor guard, moving in sync. A flag—folded tight, triangle sharp—is placed gently into the hands of someone who’s lost everything and somehow still stands. It's not just tradition. It's recognition. It's reverence. That folded flag says: They gave their all. And we remember.
Flag Day falls on June 14. Father’s Day follows just after, on June 15. It’s a weekend full of reflection—on who we are, what we stand for, and who helped us get here.
At Roll Call Chicagoland, we think often about those who’ve helped us stand a little taller. Not just dads, though we honor them, too—but all the people who show up when it counts. The mentors who challenge us. The leaders who steady us. The battle buddies who remind us we’ve still got more to give.
We see it across our community all the time. Vietnam vets mentoring younger veterans as they take their first steps into business ownership. Industry professionals helping job-seekers translate their skills into new careers. A quick phone call, a shared cup of coffee, an introduction that changes everything. That’s what our work looks like—steady hands helping others navigate the transition from service to civilian life, and all the defining moments that come after.
Sometimes uplifting someone doesn’t mean doing something grand. It means showing up. Listening. Believing in someone until they can believe in themselves. That’s the kind of support that leaves a mark—and that’s what we celebrate this weekend.
Because no one stands tall on their own.
So we ask you: Who helped you steady yourself when things felt uncertain? Tell us. Share your story. Post a tribute. Let’s honor the ones who gave us the confidence to carry forward—and the ones we now help rise in turn.