HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — For 248 years, The Army has been committed to its country and its people. "Today we celebrate 248 years of service to our nation as it's the United States Army's birthday," Lt. Gen. Chris Mohan, Redstone senior commander and AMC deputy commanding general shares. "As I look back on it as an American citizen and a soldier for almost 34 years, the Army birthday symbolizes to me is the continuity of service to our nation."
Today many gathered on Redstone Arsenal for a celebration with lots of singing and of course cake. They also took time to reflect on the Army's impact throughout the years.
"Through thick and thin, through ups and downs, the Army's been a constant force of good for our nation," Mohan shares. ".. And it's not just about us who have served a long time in uniform. It's about the commitment of our nations or of our nation and our citizens or our nation to commit their sons and daughters to the all-volunteer force."
The U.S. Army was founded on June 14, 1775, when the Continental Congress authorized enlistment of expert riflemen to serve the United Colonies for one year. On the same day in 1777, our country adopted the flag of the United States, now commemorated as Flag Day. "It's a cause for celebration for all Americans, but for us in the Army, we get an extra bonus because it's the Army's birthday," Mohan said.
The Army is celebrating 248 years of culture, opportunities, pathways to success and security, and is encouraging anyone who wants to be part of something bigger to consider serving. The birthday theme this year is “Be All You Can Be” as the Army is celebrating 50 years of the All-Volunteer Force.
"We brought back the Be All You Can Be this year and Be All You Can Be is really about the over 200 different jobs and specialties that that we can offer as training and as opportunities for our young men and women who want to join our Army," Mohan shares. "And it's not just about the soldiers, too. It's about our dedicated army civilians who are there with us all the way from the tip of the spear, all the way back here to places such as Huntsville, Alabama, at Redstone Arsenal."