US Army,
WASHINGTON: Installations and commands all over the world will celebrate the Army's 232nd birthday June 14.
With the theme “Call to Duty – Boots on the Ground – Army Strong,” the celebration honors Soldiers answering the call to duty during one of the most dangerous periods in history.
“Today's Soldiers symbolize the nobility of selfless service,” said Sergeant Major of the Army Kenneth O. Preston, reflecting the Army's heritage. “Today's Soldiers are motivated by an unwavering belief that they will be victorious on the field of battle, because we have fought this way since 1775 and always will.”
Special birthday events will begin on June 9 and run through the following week, with a cake-cutting ceremony at Walter Reed Army Medical Center June 12 and a Twilight Tattoo June 13 at the Washington Monument.
Major League Baseball will pay tribute to the men and women in uniform by hosting birthday activities during several of its games. A veteran of the war on terror will throw out the first pitch of a Florida Marlins vs. Cleveland Indians game in Miami June 14. New recruits will also be inducted into the Army during a pre-game ceremony.
Similar events are scheduled for a Tampa Bay Devil Rays' home game June 13, and a member of the Army Ground Forces Band will lead “Take me out to the ball game” during an Atlanta Braves game June 10.
The Army's precision parachute demonstration team, the Golden Knights, will jump June 14 into Camden Yards, where a Soldier will throw the first pitch of an inter-league game between the Washington Nationals and the Baltimore Orioles.
Lt. Gen. John Brown III will host U.S. Army Pacific's Birthday Ball in Waikiki on June 9. The U.S. Army Band's Strolling Strings will perform during the event to an expected crowd of nearly a thousand Soldiers and civilians.
On June 14, Acting Secretary of the Army Pete Geren, Army Chief of Staff Gen. George W. Casey Jr. and SMA Preston will participate in the annual wreath laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery's Tomb of the Unknowns.
Department of Army-level birthday events will continue June 15 with a Birthday Run that starts at Fort Myer, Va., and culminate with the Army Birthday Ball on June 16 in Washington, D.C.
“The U.S. Army is a brotherhood of warrior leaders dedicated to the cause of freedom. To me, celebrating the Army's Birthday is celebrating my freedom and brotherhood,” said Capt. Chris Joyner, North Carolina National Guard public affairs officer.
