US Army — Happy Birthday # 231
Army Celebrates 231st Birthday
By Katisha Draughn
WASHINGTON (Army News Service, June 12, 2006) – Cake-cutting ceremonies, balls, special concerts and Soldier appreciation days will take place throughout the Army and around the world this week in honor of the Army’s 231st birthday.
This year’s theme is “Call to Duty – Boots on the Ground.”
“To all of our Soldiers around the world, our thoughts are with you and your families on this 231st Army Birthday. We are humbled by your sacrifices and awed by your achievements,” said Secretary of the Army Dr. Francis J. Harvey.
The celebration kicked off June 10 with the Army Birthday Ball in Washington, D.C.’s Hilton. Sponsored by the Army Deputy Chief of Staff, G-2, on behalf of the Secretary of the Army and Chief of Staff of the Army, the ball featured performances by the USO Liberty Belles, the Jazz Ambassadors, the Volunteers, the Soldiers’ Chorus and Army Soldier Show Alumni.
Celebrations will continue 8 a.m. June 14 at Arlington National Cemetery. Army senior leadership will pay tribute to the nation’s fallen heroes by placing a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns.
A cake-cutting ceremony will take place 11 a.m. in the Pentagon courtyard, following a 10:30 performance by the U.S. Army Chorale. Josh Gracin, country music singer known for being an American Idol finalist, will continue the event with a noon performance.
Interactive displays will be available in the courtyard from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Program Executive Office will showcase the Land Warrior, body armor, and other modern equipment and concepts. The Natick Soldier Center will showcase the Future Force Warrior and Future Concept Warrior.
In the event of inclement weather, the Pentagon ceremony, performances and displays will move to the Concourse.
A second cake-cutting ceremony will be held at 3 p.m. at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
A Twilight Tattoo will culminate the day’s celebrations at 7 p.m. at the Thomas Jefferson Memorial. Twilight Tattoo is an hour-long sunset military pageant featuring Soldiers of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) to include: the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, the U.S. Army Drill Team, the U.S. Army Band Blues Jazz Ensemble, and the U.S. Army Chorale.
A Senate and House cake-cutting ceremony will take place 11 a.m. June 15. Army officials will recognize the heroic contributions of Army units toward the Global War on Terror by announcing the award of campaign participation credit to eligible Army units that served and/or are serving in the theater of operations in support of the Global War on Terrorism. Three new streamers will be awarded to qualifying units: one for service in Afghanistan, one for service in Iraq and one for service in other geographic regions outside of Iraq and Afghanistan, such as Kuwait, Qatar or the Horn of Africa.
Army birthday celebrations will conclude with a Headquarters, Department of Army Birthday Run 7:30 a.m. June 16 at Fort Myer.
For complete Birthday coverage, utilize the following links for information:
— Any and all 231st Army Birthday information
— 231st Army Birthday photos
— 231st Army Birthday news
Birthday Letter from the White House (.pdf)
Call to Duty: Boots on the Ground
Call To Duty - Boots on the GroundOur Army is serving a Nation at war.
The Global War on Terrorism will not be short and it will require deep and enduring commitment. To fight this war and ensure our Nation’s security into the future, the Army must provide the Joint Force with relevant and ready capabilities to support the National Security and Defense Strategies. Our Army is a campaign-quality Army with a Joint and Expeditionary Mindset, a proud member of the Joint Force expertly serving our nation and its citizens for 231 years.
The Army provides the Joint Force with the combat, combat support, and combat service support capabilities necessary to conduct sustained land warfare during extended campaigns. This is our unique contribution to the Joint Team and it will be maintained. The challenge we are addressing is how to transform our organizations, processes, doctrine and culture so that we are better able to provide this contribution in a more prompt and rapid manner.
As it has always been, Soldiers, both active and reserve, are the heart of the Army. Embued with the Warrior Ethos, our Soldiers are “Warriors of character” whose seriousness and sense of urgency are characteristic of an Army at war. Our Soldiers will always place the mission first, never accept defeat, never quit and will never leave a fallen comrade.
Others posting about the US Army Birthday:
— Iraq War Today — Happy Birthday to the US Army!
— One Marine’s View — HAPPY BIRTHDAY ARMY DOGS
— Stop the ACLU — Happy Birthday United States Army Army
— Ninth State — Happy 231st to the United States Army
— Milblogs — Happy Birthday, Army!
— Hot Air — Army Turns 231
— Yankee Mom — Happy Birthday to the Army
— Big Dog’s Weblog — Happy 231st Birthday Army
| ARMY BIRTHDAY (U.S. Army photo by 1st Sgt. Robert Heberling) |
 |
| U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Ronald Riling, Pfc. Matthew Elza, the youngest soldier on the division staff, and Maj. Gen. J. D. Thurman, commander, Multi-National Division - Baghdad and 4th Infantry Division, cut a cake to celebrate the Army’s 231st birthday at division headquarters at Camp Liberty, Iraq, June 14. (Click Image for HiRes) |
| HAPPY BIRTHDAY (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Sara Wood) |
 |
| Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld (left center), joined by senior Army leaders and the youngest and oldest soldiers in the Military District of Washington, sings “Happy Birthday” to the Army during the Army’s 231st birthday celebration, at the Pentagon, June 14. (Click Image for HiRes) Story |
Happy Birthday to the U.S. Army
Hat Tip: Stop the ACLU June 14, 1775 - The U.S. Army was formed…231 years ago. Thank you to all that serve and have served in our great military and for keeping us safe. Happy Birthday!
Big Dog’s Blog writes “As a 24 year veteran I am …