The Fortson Group

Every June 14th, we celebrate the Stars and Stripes on Flag Day. While we’re all familiar with the United States’ flag, we might not know all of the history behind this symbol.

To celebrate, we wanted to share a few fun facts about the history of the flag that might surprise you:

🔹 The current 50-star design was created by a 17-year-old. Robert G. Heft of Lancaster, Ohio, submitted the design as a high school project in 1958. It was chosen by President Eisenhower out of more than 3,000 submissions in 1960.

🔹 There have been 27 official versions of the flag. Twenty-five of those changes were solely to update the number of stars every time a new state joined the Union. The star additions were admitted on July 4th, and, together, they give us a rich visual history of the country's growth over time.

🔹 The colors for the flag have taken on their own meanings over the years. Charles Thomson, secretary of the Continental Congress in 1774, suggested that red represents hardiness and valor, white symbolizes purity and innocence, and blue stands for vigilance, perseverance, and justice.

🔹 Six American flags have been planted on the moon. Neil Armstrong and Edwin E. “Buzz” Aldrin were the first, but five additional Apollo missions have also left a flag on the lunar surface.

🔹 The current design is the longest-running version in history. No new states have been added since Hawaii joined the union in 1959, making this the most enduring flag design the country has ever had.

Wishing you a wonderful Flag Day filled with pride and appreciation for the history behind the flag we share.

June is Oral Health Month, a practical opportunity for employers to evaluate dental benefit offerings, reinforce preventive care messaging, and prepare for the next plan year.

Dental benefits are one of the most consistently used and appreciated components of an employer-sponsored package. When plans are designed and communicated effectively, they support employee well-being, productivity, and workforce stability.

Swipe for a brief overview of the most common types of dental benefit plans.

If you’d like to review your current dental offerings, evaluate network adequacy, or improve employee communication ahead of renewal, feel free to reach out to schedule a discussion. We’re always here to help.

As life insurance agents, we are often asked about policy additions individuals can make to their existing life insurance policies. That being said, we wanted to share some information about a popular optional life insurance feature that may benefit you: a guaranteed insurability rider. Swipe for more details.

If you’re considering whether or not a guaranteed insurability rider is right for your policy, feel free to reach out. We are always happy to review the timing rules, limits, and cost structure to help you decide if this feature aligns with your long-term goals.

Since May is Mental Health Awareness Month, we wanted to share a few practical tips employers can use to better support mental health in the workplace.

Small steps like clearer benefit communication and easier access to care can make a real difference. Swipe to see more.

We hope you find the tips helpful. If you’d like to review or strengthen your coverage, feel free to reach out. We’re always happy to help.

When graduation season rolls around, it can be hard to decide what to get the special graduate in your life. One practical, yet under-utilized, graduation gift is a life insurance policy.

When set up early, a life insurance policy can serve as a vital long-term financial tool that grows with your graduate, locking in premiums at the age when they are often cheapest and sometimes offering a cash value component that can be accessed during your new grad’s lifetime. Additionally, coverage can be adjusted as income and goals evolve, with the insured layering on or even buying more coverage within the existing policy.

If you have questions about options, costs, or how policies are structured, feel free to reach out. We are always happy to help.