By MOAA Staff

In honor of America’s semiquincentennial on July 4, Military Officer magazine asked members and their spouses to submit patriotic photos showcasing their experiences in the uniformed services. We received many memorable photos — of sights, families, and servicemembers past and present.

Here are the winning entries, which also appeared in the July issue of Military Officer; right-click on any of the images to open a larger version (click here for the above photo). Thank you to everyone who participated in the contest.

The great-grandson of Maj. Gen. Ken Hagemann, USAF (Ret), looks outside at the waving American flag on Memorial Day in 2011. Submitted by Maj. Gen. Ken Hagemann, USAF (Ret), Life member.

The Army Golden Knights parachute is seen with the American flag at a recent air show. Submitted by Lt. Col. Jay Stout, USA (Ret), Life member.

Visitors to Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia watch the changing of the guard ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in September 2025. Submitted by Maj. Raymond Welch, USAR (Ret), Premium member.

In 1930, a young Capt. Jack Murphy, USN (Ret), the first of three generations of MOAA members, salutes. Jack Murphy was the father of Capt. Jim Murphy, USN (Ret), a former MOAA board member, and grandfather of Cmdr. Jaime Murphy, USN (Ret), and Capt. Micah Murphy, USN (Ret), a past member of MOAA’s Currently Serving Advisory Council. Submitted by Capt. Jim Murphy, USN (Ret), Life member.

The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds fly in diamond formation in 2024 at Luke AFB, Ariz., where the demonstration team was officially activated June 1, 1953. Submitted by Lt. Col. Laurel Dianne Langmade, USAFR (Ret), Life member.

Photographed from the bridge off USS Ticonderoga (CG-47), USS Iowa (BB-61) conducts a firepower demonstration in January 1985. Submitted by Cmdr. Kenneth Shallies, USN (Ret), Life member.

The three children of Lt. Col. Larry Maynard, USA (Ret), and his wife, Ann, have all served the nation. From left: Tori served two tours in Afghanistan, is currently a lieutenant colonel, worked as a member of the Joint Staff for the chairman at the Pentagon, and assumed battalion command in June. Tim served two tours in Iraq and is currently a major in the Florida National Guard. Alex, who served three tours in Iraq and one tour in Afghanistan, is medically retired as a staff sergeant after 11 years of service. Submitted by Lt. Col. Larry Maynard, USA (Ret), Life member. 

In 1976 in Okinawa, Japan, Lt. Beal says goodbye to his son, Billy, as he leaves on deployment to Australia. Beal was on a 13-month unaccompanied tour and elected to bring his family to Okinawa at his own expense so his kids could experience the Japanese culture. Submitted by Maj. William Beal, USMC (Ret), Life member.

Each grave at Luxembourg American Cemetery is marked with an American flag and a Luxembourg flag on Memorial Day in 2005. Submitted by Lt. Col. David Meyer, USA (Ret), Life member.

In 1968, Robert Landry, assigned to the 9th Infantry Division, volunteered to work with Vietnamese children in a school near the base. Landry is shown singing with the children on their last day together. Submitted by Lt. Col. Robert Landry, USA (Ret), Life member.

A P-51 Mustang and F-22 Raptor fly together at the Joint Base Andrews Air Show in Maryland in 2017. Submitted by Cmdr. John Cushing, USCG (Ret), Basic member.

A young girl places flags at Fayetteville National Cemetery in Arkansas before Memorial Day in 2017. Submitted by Lt. Col. Jay Stout, USA (Ret), Life member.